Personality, body image, and eating pattern changes in overweight persons after weight loss.

A group of overweight persons who achieved a substantial weight loss over a 6-month period were compared with a group of overweight persons who showed an unsubstantial weight change and a normal weight control group. All groups were evaluated before the weight program began and at a 6-month follow-up. The substantial weight loss group showed a number of significant changes after weight reduction. Body image rating shifted in the direction of evaluating onself as less heavy, eating was rated as less good and more heavy, and a greater feeling of self-control was indicated. Over time, the change group learned to limit the number of emotional and environmental cues that were discriminative stimuli for eating behavior. There also were more frequent reports of eating in response to cues of hunger after substantial weight loss.     

Children's body image concerns and eating disturbance: a review of the literature

In recent years a large number of studies have examined body image concerns, and early symptoms of eating disturbance among children. However, to date there has been no synthesis or evaluation of these studies. The purpose of the present article is to review and evaluate the research that has examined body image concerns, and eating attitudes and behaviors among children 6 to 11 years of age. The instruments used to assess body image concerns and eating disturbance in children closely resemble those used with adolescents and adults. Overall, the psychometric data for these instruments are very good and there is sufficient evidence indicating that they can be used reliably and validly. In addition, similar variables to those studied in adolescent and adult samples have been found to be associated with children's body image concerns and early eating disturbance. These include gender, age, body mass index, race, sociocultural pressures, and self-concept. Our understanding of the development of body image concerns and eating disturbance in children is limited, however, by the fact that most of the research in this field has been based on cross-sectional data, and the studies have focused almost exclusively on weight loss cognitions and behaviors.     

The role of ethnicity and culture in body image and disordered eating among males

An increasing number of researchers have examined body image concerns, disordered eating, and other behaviors associated with increasing muscle size among men from different cultural groups. However, to date there has been no synthesis or evaluation of these studies. In this paper we specifically review studies which have included a comparison between males from different cultural groups with White males on body image concerns or other related behaviors. The groups include Blacks, Hispanic Americans, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and men from Middle Eastern countries. Overall, evidence suggests that males from a range of cultural groups engage in more extreme body change strategies and binge eating than Whites. On the other hand, there is no consistent pattern which summarizes the nature of body image concerns across the different cultures. Mediating and/or moderating variables are proposed to account for the inconsistent findings. These include body build, levels of acculturation, socio-economic status, media exposure, and internalization of the muscular and lean body ideal.     

Underlying dimensions and psychometric properties of the eating behaviors and body image test for preadolescent girls

Developed a rating scale to measure body image satisfaction and eating behaviors and disturbances in preadolescent girls and evaluated the psychometric properties of the instrument. The Eating Behaviors arid Body Image Test (EBBIT) for preadolescent girls was administered to 291 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade girls to identify the measure's factor structure. Body Image Silhouettes (BZS; Childress, Brewerton, Hodges, & Jarrell, 1993) were also administered, and height and weight measurements were obtained. Although four factors were predicted (maladaptive thoughts about body size, restrictive eating, binging, and compensatory behavior for overeating), corresponding to adult criteria for the diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia, factor analysis of the EBBIT suggested only two factors: Body linage Dissatisfaction Restrictive Eating and Binge Eating Behaviors. Only two compensatory behaviors (exercising to burn off food eaten and skipping meals after overeating) loaded on the scale, and they loaded on the Body Image Dissatisfaction/Restrictive Eating factor. Internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities were adequate to good, and initial validity of the scale was established by using scares on the Body Image Silhouettes, body mass index ratios, age, and race as predictors of EBBIT scores.     

Prospective relations of body image,eating, and affective disturbances to smoking onset in adolescent girls: how Virginia slims

This study tested whether body image, eating, and affective disturbances prospectively predicted onset of cigarette smoking in adolescent girls (N = 496). Elevated body dissatisfaction and eating pathology, as well as elevated negative affectivity, showed significant univariate relations to subsequent onset of smoking. In the multivariate model, the effect for body image and eating disturbances remained significant, but the effect for negative affectivity did not. Results support the theory that body image and eating disturbances markedly increase risk for smoking initiation in adolescent girls and further establish the clinical significance of these disturbances. Results also support the theory that negative affect is a risk factor for smoking initiation but suggest that the self-medication model may have less predictive power than previously concluded.     

Gender,BMI, and eating regulation in the context of same-sex and heterosexual couples

Research suggests that romantic partners may benefit each other’s health, but factors contributing to partners’ involvement in eating regulation have been relatively unexplored. In this study, 104 heterosexual couples, 72 female same-sex and 72 male same-sex couples were examined in order to understand how partners’ weight statuses were related to attempts to regulate eating behaviors. Weight status was assessed via body mass index and eating regulation was assessed using the Partner Feeding Questionnaire. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed that gay men were particularly likely to regulate their partners’ eating behaviors. Additionally, partners were found to regulate their significant others’ eating behaviors when their significant others were heavy. Women were most likely to attempt to regulate their partners’ eating behaviors when they were thin and their partners were heavy. These findings are discussed in the context of current obesity trends and the role of romantic partners in healthy weight management.     

Gender differences in body image and health perceptions among graduating seniors from a historically black college

This study's purpose was to identify gender differences in body size awareness and perceived impact of weight on social interactions and risk for disease among young African-American adults. A cross-sectional survey of 318 African-American graduating seniors from a historically black college or university (HBCU) was conducted. Data were collected on anthropometrics, body image, ideal weight, perceived risk for disease due to weight, and impact of weight on social interactions. Only 39% of males who were overweight perceived themselves as overweight compared with 68% of overweight females. Eighty percent of females and 63% of males expressed some body size dissatisfaction. Fewer obese males (38%) perceived a risk for disease due to their weight compared with obese females (64%), p<0.01. Males perceived greater impact than females of their weight on social interactions, with extremely obese males perceiving the greatest impact. Perceived risk for disease due to weight was related to body mass index, family weight history, body awareness and income, but not body size satisfaction. Findings suggest gender differences in the self-perception of body size, accuracy of body size perception, and understanding of acceptable weight ranges. Awareness of acceptable weight ranges and consequences of overweight needs to be raised.     

Sleep disturbances, body mass index and eating behaviour in undergraduate students

This study investigates the association between sleep disturbances, body mass index (BMI) and eating behaviour in a sample of undergraduate students. The sample comprises 870 medicine and dentistry students from Coimbra University (62.5% females), aged between 17 and 25 years. The Eating Attitudes Test-40 was used to measure eating behaviour, and two questions were applied addressing difficulties of initiating sleep (DIS) and difficulties of maintaining sleep (DMS). A sleep disturbance index (SDI) was calculated from the sum of DIS and DMS scores. Body mass index (BMI) was determined from self-reported weight and height. The correlation analyses generally indicated that global eating disturbance, bulimic behaviour dimension and social pressure to eat were associated particularly with sleep difficulties. An association between diet concerns and sleep difficulties was less consistent. Regression analyses showed that bulimic behaviour (BB) and social pressure to eat (SPE) dimensions were associated significantly with sleep difficulties (DIS, DMS, SDI) in the total sample (BB: from P<0.01 to P<0.001; SPE: P<0.05) and in males (BB: from P<0.05 to P<0.001; SPE: P<0.05) and with insomnia symptoms (P<0.01). In females, bulimic behaviour was the only factor associated significantly with sleep difficulties (SDI, DIS; P<0.01) and with insomnia symptoms (P<0.05). Although BMI was correlated negatively with sleep difficulties (P<0.05), regression analyses indicated that it was not associated significantly with them. Our findings support an association between eating behaviour and sleep disturbances in both genders, which may have treatment implications.     

Associations between body weight, psychiatric disorders and body image in female adolescents

OBJECTIVES: The study explored associations between body weight, psychiatric disorders and body image in a nonclinical sample of female adolescents. It was also investigated whether complaints of negative body image could be an indicator of psychiatric morbidity. METHODS: A sample of 136 Swiss female high school students, 15-20 years of age, initially had weight, height and body image (FBeK questionnaire) assessed and were screened for psychiatric morbidity (SSQ). Subsequently, they were assessed using the DIA-X psychiatric interview which generates DSM-IV diagnoses. Univariate, multivariate, regressive and canonical correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Being overweight was significantly correlated with a more negative body image (attractiveness/self-confidence). There were also significant correlations between psychiatric diagnoses and unfavorable body image (3 of the 4 FBeK scales). Besides having a more disturbed body image, overweight subjects also evidenced more psychiatric morbidity. The multiple regression analysis revealed that psychiatric disorders had the greatest association with negative body image, followed by age and weight. The canonical correlation indicated that body image, psychiatric disorder, age and weight clearly correlated with one another (R(xy) = 0.43). CONCLUSION: Psychosomatic research should be more concerned about issues of obesity and concurrent psychiatric morbidity and aim to develop preventative as well as therapeutic treatment methods. Physicians should be aware of the associations between obesity, negative body image and psychiatric morbidity.     

Prevalence of eating disorder risk and body image distortion among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I varsity equestrian athletes

Context:

Participation in appearance-based sports, particularly at the collegiate level, may place additional pressures on female athletes to be thin, which may increase the likelihood of their resorting to drastic weight control measures, such as disordered eating behaviors.

Objectives:

(1) To estimate the prevalence and sources of eating disorder risk classification by academic status (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) and riding discipline (English and Western), (2) to examine riding style and academic status variations in body mass index (BMI) and silhouette type, and (3) to examine these variations across eating disorder risk classification type (eg, body image disturbances).

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Seven universities throughout the United States.

Patients or Other Participants:

A total of 138 participants volunteered (mean age = 19.88 ± 1.29 years). They represented 2 equestrian disciplines: English riding (n = 91) and Western riding (n = 47).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Participants self-reported menstrual cycle history, height, and weight. We screened for eating disorder risk behaviors with the Eating Attitudes Test and for body disturbance with sex-specific BMI silhouettes.

Results:

Based on the Eating Attitudes Test, estimated eating disorder prevalence was 42.0% in the total sample, 38.5% among English riders, and 48.9% among Western riders. No BMI or silhouette differences were found across academic status or discipline in disordered eating risk. Overall, participants perceived their body images as significantly larger than their actual physical sizes (self-reported BMI) and wanted to be significantly smaller in both normal clothing and competitive uniforms.

Conclusions:

Disordered eating risk prevalence among equestrian athletes was similar to that reported in other aesthetic sports and lower than that in nonaesthetic sports. Athletic trainers working with these athletes should be sensitive to these risks and refer athletes as needed to clinicians knowledgeable about disordered eating. Professionals working with this population should avoid making negative comments about physical size and appearance.     

Body composition, body size estimation, and attitudes towards eating in male college athletes

A number of different parameters relating to eating history and body composition were examined in male college athletes during the course of an athletic season. Wrestlers, who often lose weight to meet the requirements of the sport, were compared with other athletes (swimmers, nordic skiers) who typically maintain weight during vigorous training. By the end of the athletic season, the wrestlers had reduced body weights and reported a reduction in caloric intakes. Wrestlers scored higher than swimmers and nordic skiers on scales measuring dietary restraint and attitudes towards eating (EAT). The groups differed primarily on items dealing with fluctuations in body weight and with dieting behaviors. There were no significant differences between groups on the estimates of body size and no effect of seasonal training. However, a small subsample of the wrestlers who scored high on the restraint and EAT scales also showed distortions in estimates of body size. Wrestlers may represent a population at risk for the newly reported sports-induced disturbances in eating.