Body Image (body + image)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Terms modified by Body Image

  • body image concern
  • body image dissatisfaction
  • body image distortion
  • body image disturbance
  • body image scale

  • Selected Abstracts


    Stumped Identities: Body Image, Bodies Politic, and the Mujer Maya as Prosthetic

    CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
    Diane M. Nelson
    [source]


    Peripubertal Girls' Romantic and Platonic Involvement With Boys: Associations With Body Image and Depression Symptoms

    JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 1 2004
    Laura Compian
    This study explored the relationship of both romantic and platonic involvement with boys, as well as pubertal status, to body image and depression symptoms among an ethnically diverse sample of sixth-grade girls. Participants were 157 early adolescent girls (ages 10,13) who completed self-report measures designed to assess girls' level of involvement with boys, pubertal status, and psychological adjustment. Girls' degree of romantic involvement was positively associated with higher depression scores. More advanced pubertal status was associated with both lower body image satisfaction and higher depression scores. A significant interaction between platonic involvement and pubertal status emerged. Girls who were less sexually mature but who also reported more platonic involvement with boys reported greater body image satisfaction. These findings suggest that the type of involvement with boys (romantic vs. platonic) and a girl's pubertal status influence psychological adjustment. [source]


    The 21st Century Paradox: Body Image, Obesity, and Disordered Eating in Youths

    ANALYSES OF SOCIAL ISSUES & PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 1 2009
    Christine Bachman
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    A service evaluation to determine the effectiveness of current dietary advice in treating human immunodeficiency virus-associated weight loss and to highlight potential service improvements

    JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2008
    C.A. Hunt
    Background:, Weight loss and muscle wasting are experienced by many patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Grinspoon et al., 2003). Malnutrition is an important predicator of morbidity and mortality; people who are malnourished who received antiretroviral treatment are six times more likely to die than those who are adequately nourished (Paton et al., 2006). The physical manifestations of muscle wasting can have significant psychosocial implications for HIV patients (Power et al., 2003; Sattler, 2003). The aim of this study to evaluate provision of dietetic care to patients referred for acute weight loss advice and identify areas for potential service improvement. Methods:, The data were gathered from the departmental dietetic activity statistics in 2007, diagnosis code ,HIV , acute weight loss'. Fifty-nine cards were located and baseline weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were recorded (two female, 57 male). Qualitative data on dietetic intervention were extracted from record cards , little and often eating approach, food fortification (FF), high energy high protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) prescribed. Data were collected on body image, exercise and weight at follow-up visits during 2007. Results:, Forty-three percent of the patients referred for ,HIV-acute weight loss' were lost to follow-up. Forty-seven percent of the remaining patients had a BMI <20 kg m,2. Following their initial dietetic intervention, 81% of these patients had gained weight at the first follow-up. All had received nutritional counselling on little and often eating approach and FF; 75% had ONS prescribed. Average weight gain with nutritional counselling alone was 1.3 kg (2.1 kg) and for nutritional counselling plus supplementation was 2.1 kg (1.8 kg). This represented 2.5% (4.1%) and 3.9% (3.4%) weight gain, respectively. Discussion:, This evaluation has highlighted that patient follow-up frequency is an area for service improvement. Fifty-three per cent of patients (excluding those lost to follow up) had a BMI ,20 kg m,2 and were inaccurately recorded in the statistics as being referred for ,HIV-acute weight loss'. Fifty-two percent of these patients reported lipodystrophy and body image concerns, similar to findings of other studies. Fifty-six percent reported weight improvements following dietetic consultation. Body image is a frequent referral trigger, therefore improvements should be made to identify and treat patients with body shape issues. Conclusions:, Dietitians are effective at achieving weight gain in HIV positive patients with a BMI <20 kg m,2 using nutritional counselling methods with or without oral nutritional supplementation; these patients experienced a 3.3% weight gain. Strategies need to be implemented to reduce the number of patients lost to follow-up, as weight loss is a key morbidity and mortality indicator in HIV. References, Grinspoon, S. & Mulligan, K. (2003) Weight loss and wasting in patients infected with HIV. Clin. Infect. Dis.36 (Suppl. 2): 69,78. Nerad, J., Romeyn, M., Silverman, E., Allen-Reid, J., Dieterich, D., Merchant, J., Pelletier, V., Tinnerello, D. & Fenton, M. (2003) General nutritional management in patients infected with HIV. Clin. Infect. Dis.36 (Suppl. 2): 52,62. Ockenga, J., Grimble, R., Jonkers-Schuitema, C., Macallan, D., Melchior, J.C., Sauerwein, H.P., Schwenk, A. & Suttmann, U. (2006) ESPEN guidelines on enteral nutrition: wasting in HIV and other chronic infectious diseases. Clin. Nutr.25, 319,329. Paton, N.I., Sangeetha, S., Earnest, A. & Bellamy, R. (2006) The impact of malnutrition on survival and the CD4 count response in HIV-infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy. HIV Med.7, 232,330. Power, R., Tate, H.L., McGill, S.M. & Taylor, C. (2003) A qualitative study of the psychosocial implications of lipodystrophy syndrome on HIV positive individuals. Sex. Transm. Infect.79, 137,141. Sattler, F. (2003) Body habitus changes related to lipodystrophy. Clin. Infect. Dis36 (Suppl. 2): 84,90. [source]


    Relationship between body image and lifestyle factors in Japanese adolescent girls

    PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2009
    Kyoko Mori
    Abstract Background:, Body image, defined here as an inaccurate perception of personal bodyweight, plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems and eating disorders. Certain lifestyle factors may influence an individual's body image, but current knowledge is based mainly on studies in Western populations. Methods:, The associations between body image and lifestyle factors were investigated in samples of the Japanese female adolescent population. Results:, Respondents who reported that they ate meals slowly (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, P < 0.001) or only consumed small amounts of food (OR 3.17, P < 0.001) were more likely to underestimate their body image, as determined by their body mass index, than eaters who had average behavior for this age group. Individuals who reported eating faster (OR 1.47, P < 0.001) or consuming large amounts (OR 1.67, P < 0.001); those who do not eat breakfast on a daily basis (OR 1.35, P = 0.006); those who go to bed later than the average time for this age group (OR 1.38, P < 0.001) or sleep <7 h (OR 1.40, P < 0.001) and those individuals who rarely exercise (OR 1.27, P = 0.03) were more likely to overestimate their body image, as determined by BMI, compared with those who had average eating, sleeping and exercise behaviors for this age group. Conclusions:, Variation from the norm in eating, sleeping and exercise behaviors showed a relationship with a distorted perception of body image in Japanese adolescent girls. These findings are of potential importance in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of body image and for exploring interventional approaches. [source]


    Body image and sexual problems in young women with breast cancer

    PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
    Pat Fobair
    Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of body image and sexual problems in the first months after treatment among women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger. Background: Breast cancer treatment may have severe effects on the bodies of younger women. Surgical treatment may be disfiguring, chemotherapy may cause abrupt menopause, and hormone replacement is not recommended. Methods: A multi-ethnic population-based sample of 549 women aged 22,50 who were married or in a stable unmarried relationship were interviewed within seven months of diagnosis with in situ, local, or regional breast cancer. Results: Body image and sexual problems were experienced by a substantial proportion of women in the early months after diagnosis. Half of the 546 women experienced two or more body image problems some of the time (33%), or at least one problem much of the time (17%). Among sexually active women, greater body image problems were associated with mastectomy and possible reconstruction, hair loss from chemotherapy, concern with weight gain or loss, poorer mental health, lower self-esteem, and partner's difficulty understanding one's feelings. Among the 360 sexually active women, half (52%) reported having a little problem in two or more areas of sexual functioning (24%), or a definite or serious problem in at least one area (28%). Greater sexual problems were associated with vaginal dryness, poorer mental health, being married, partner's difficulty understanding one's feelings, and more body image problems, and there were significant ethnic differences in reported severity. Conclusions: Difficulties related to sexuality and sexual functioning were common and occurred soon after surgical and adjuvant treatment. Addressing these problems is essential to improve the quality of life of young women with breast cancer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    A study of body image in long-term breast cancer survivors

    CANCER, Issue 15 2010
    Christian A. Falk Dahl StudPsychol
    Abstract BACKGROUND: In this controlled postdiagnosis study, the authors examined various aspects of body image of breast cancer survivors in cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. METHODS: In 2004 and 2007 the Body Image Scale (BIS) was completed by the same 248 disease-free women who had been treated for stage II and III breast cancer between 1998 and 2002. "Poorer" body image was defined as greater than the 70th percentile (N = 76 women) of the BIS scores in contrast to "better" body image (N = 172 women). Breast cancer survivors were examined clinically in 2004, and their BIS scores were compared with the scores from an age-matched group of women from the general population. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, poorer body image in 2004 was associated significantly with modified radical mastectomy, undergoing or planning to undergo breast-reconstructive surgery, a change in clothing, poor physical and mental health, chronic fatigue, and reduced quality of life (QoL). In univariate analyses, most of these factors and manually planned radiotherapy were significant predictors of poorer body image in 2007. In multivariate analyses, manually planned radiotherapy, poor physical QoL and high BIS score in 2004 remained independent predictors of a poorer body image in 2007. Body image ratings were relatively stable from 2004 to 2007. Twenty-one percent of breast cancer survivors reported body image dissatisfaction, similar to the proportion of dissatisfaction in controls. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional analysis, body image in breast cancer survivors was associated with the types of surgery and radiotherapy and with mental distress, reduced health, and impaired QoL. Body image ratings were relatively stable over time, and the antecedent body image score was a strong predictor of body image at follow-up. Body image in breast cancer survivors differed very little from that in controls. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source]


    Different changes of body-images in patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa during inpatient psychosomatic treatment

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 2 2006
    Dieter Benninghoven
    Abstract Background Changes of perceptual body size distortion and body dissatisfaction during inpatient psychosomatic treatment were assessed. Differences between patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa were compared. Methods Forty-one female patients with anorexia and 37 with bulimia nervosa were examined at beginning and end of an inpatient psychosomatic treatment. Body images were assessed by the somatomorph matrix and by the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2). Results Both groups showed a distorted body size perception at the beginning of treatment. This decreased with the bulimia patients, with anorexia patients it largely remained in spite of a successful increase in weight. With bulimia patients body satisfaction improved, whereas it hardly changed with anorexia patients. Conclusion Bulimia patients were able to positively modify their body images. Treatment might have enabled patients with anorexia to maintain their level of body satisfaction and to tolerate a bigger perceived body image while they significantly gained weight. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Never Leave Yourself: Ethnopsychology As Mediator of Psychological Globalization among Belizean Schoolgirls

    ETHOS, Issue 1 2003
    Eileen P. Andepson-Fye
    How do transnational ideas and images become psychologically salient to youth in local communities? Based on five years of fieldwork among high school girls in a rapidly changing Belizean community, this article investigates how some transcultural symbolic material (e.g., gender-based maltreatment) becomes psychologically salient in a given society and yet other constructs (e.g., thin body image) can pass by with relatively few consequences in an increasingly transnational world. The ethnopsychological practice of self-protection among young Belizean women, which girls describe as "Never Leave Yourself, " mediates how girls make sense of and incorporate transnational concepts into their lived experience. The current material realities and particular historic moment in Belize also influence variations in how transnational concepts are incorporated. [source]


    The effect of attentional training on body dissatisfaction and dietary restriction

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 3 2009
    Evelyn Smith
    Abstract The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of attentional training towards shape, weight and food related information on body dissatisfaction and dietary restriction. A total of 98 female participants were trained to attend to negative shape/weight words, positive shape/weight words, negative (high calorie) food words, positive (low calorie) food words or neutral words. Subsequently, a body image challenge was presented and participants' body dissatisfaction and dietary restriction were measured. Results indicated that negative shape/weight attentional biases exacerbated body dissatisfaction and a bias towards negative food words intensified dietary restriction. The study provides evidence for specificity in the effects of attentional biases and supports the notion that attentional training may be a useful component in interventions to improve body image and reduce dieting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Psychometric properties of the Attitudes Towards Body Figure Questionnaire in Mexican female students and patients with eating disorders

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 6 2006
    Claudia Unikel Santoncini
    Abstract The aim of this article was to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Attitudes Towards Body Figure Questionnaire in a sample of Mexican female students and to compare them with a sample of patients with eating disorders. A self-applicable questionnaire with 15 questions on the importance of one's weight, and figure was given to a sample of students with an average age of 18 years in Mexico City (N,=,408) and a sample of patients under treatment (N,=,87). The results showed adequate values of internal consistency and a factorial structure in two highly correlated factors that was corroborated in a confirmatory factorial analysis. The questionnaire yielded data with adequate concurrent and predictive validity as well as appropriate values of sensitivity and specificity. This questionnaire constitutes a significant contribution to the field of research on eating disorders and body image in adolescents in Mexico that is why its use is recommended for research and prevention work in the area. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Different changes of body-images in patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa during inpatient psychosomatic treatment

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 2 2006
    Dieter Benninghoven
    Abstract Background Changes of perceptual body size distortion and body dissatisfaction during inpatient psychosomatic treatment were assessed. Differences between patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa were compared. Methods Forty-one female patients with anorexia and 37 with bulimia nervosa were examined at beginning and end of an inpatient psychosomatic treatment. Body images were assessed by the somatomorph matrix and by the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2). Results Both groups showed a distorted body size perception at the beginning of treatment. This decreased with the bulimia patients, with anorexia patients it largely remained in spite of a successful increase in weight. With bulimia patients body satisfaction improved, whereas it hardly changed with anorexia patients. Conclusion Bulimia patients were able to positively modify their body images. Treatment might have enabled patients with anorexia to maintain their level of body satisfaction and to tolerate a bigger perceived body image while they significantly gained weight. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    The impact of physical and sexual abuse on body image in eating disorders

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 2 2005
    Tamás Treuer
    Abstract Objective The role of childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor for the development of eating disorders has gained considerable attention in the literature in the last few years, especially its role in bulimia nervosa. Although physical abuse was also frequently explored in the history of patients with eating disorders, its role was unclear in the aetiopathogenesis of these disorders. The goal of our study was to test the hypothesis, based on our clinical experience, that physical abuse is more frequent in eating disorders than thought previously and that the patient's distortion in body image is more severe in these cases. Method A standardized interview method was used to elicit details of physical and sexual abuse in a group of 63 patients with eating disorders. The frequency of laxative use and the severity of body image distortion was also examined with the Body Attitude Test. These clinical data were analysed on the whole sample and also on the subgroups of eating disorders. Results We found significantly more severe body image distortions in those patients who had been physically abused (p,<,0.05) and there were significantly more severe body image distortions in those patients who had a history of laxative abuse (p,<,0.001). Sexual abuse occured in 29%, physical abuse in 57% and laxative abuse in 46% within the whole sample of examined eating disorder patients. Physical abuse and laxative abuse were the most frequent in the binge eating/purging type of anorexia nervosa (92% and 69%). Also, these patients had the worse rates on sexual abuse and body image distortion items. According to our results, the presence of sexual abuse was not associated with more severe body image distortion in eating disorder patients. Conclusions Childhood physical abuse seems to be a more important factor in the development of body image distortion than had been thought before; its importance in this aspect may be greater than sexual abuse. Physical abuse, laxative abuse and the binge,purge subtype in anorexia nervosa are a considerable risk factor for the severity of the distortion in body image and their presence makes the prognosis of the eating disorder worse. Further studies of the nature of these relationships are warranted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Longer-term implications of responsiveness to ,thin-ideal' television: support for a cumulative hypothesis of body image disturbance?

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 6 2003
    Duane Hargreaves
    Brief exposure to thin-ideal media images has been shown to have a small but consistent negative impact on women and girls' body dissatisfaction. The present study aimed to examine the consequence of these small changes in body dissatisfaction for the development of body image over time. A sample of 80 adolescents (mean age,=,17.2 years) completed measures of body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and drive for muscularity. Two years earlier they had viewed either 20 appearance-related television commercials (containing female thin ideals) or 20 non-appearance commercials as part of an experimental study. For girls, initial body dissatisfaction change in response to viewing appearance commercials at time 1 predicted subsequent body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness 2 years later, above and beyond the variance predicted by initial body dissatisfaction. Similar results were observed for boys' drive for thinness but not for body dissatisfaction. Overall, these results are consistent with a cumulative hypothesis of media exposure and body image development. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Relating information-needs to the cancer experience.

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 1 2000

    This paper is based on a phenomenological study that used narratives to explore lived cancer experiences. The aim of the study was to determine the important issues for people with cancer that arose out of their cancer experience, and to place their information-needs within the stages of the cancer trajectory. The literature highlights the importance of information-giving; however, many problems are encountered with its provision. People with cancer frequently express dissatisfaction with the information given to them and experience difficulty in retaining and processing information. Six individuals were invited to tell the story of their cancer experience through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis uncovered thematic aspects of the lived experience. One interview in particular stood out as capturing the essence of a lived experience. Jenny's narrative had a beginning, a middle and an end, features that are traditionally associated with stories. This paper focuses on her story in depth, and illustrates the extent to which cancer can impinge on normal coping mechanisms. A diagnosis of cancer cannot be isolated from the other events in an individual's life, and themes emerged which showed that cancer impacts on different aspects of an individual's self-identity, including body image, family, social and work relationships. The cancer experience invariably begins before the point of diagnosis and information-needs clearly change over time. [source]


    Health-related quality of life improves in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease after attending a camp sponsored by the Crohn's and colitis foundation of America

    INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 2 2005
    Melissa A. Shepanski MS
    Abstract Purpose: To describe the reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) after attending an IBD summer camp. Methods: A prospective analysis of quality of life was completed at an overnight camp that was exclusively for patients with IBD, which was sponsored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The IMPACT-II questionnaire (Canada and United States) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children were administered to the campers at the beginning and at the end of a 1-week camp to assess HRQOL and anxiety. The IMPACT-II questionnaire consists of 35 questions measuring 6 quality-of-life domains (i.e., bowel domain, systemic symptoms, emotional functioning, social functioning, body image, and treatment/interventions). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children consists of 2 different 20-item sets of questions. One set assesses state anxiety, and the other, trait anxiety. A repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was performed to determine the differences between scores attained before and after camp on the IMPACT-II questionnaire and in each of its domains. Paired sample t tests were performed on state and trait anxiety before and after camp. Results: A total of 125 individuals consented to participate, but 61 patients (50 girls and 11 boys; age range, 9 to 16 y) completed the IMPACT-II questionnaire in full. Of those 61 patients, 47 had Crohn's disease and 14 had ulcerative colitis. There was statistically significant improvement between the mean (±SD) precamp total score (172.95 ± 36.61) and the mean postcamp total score (178.71 ± 40.97; P = 0.035), bowel symptoms scores (P = 0.036), social functioning scores (P = 0.022), and treatment interventions scores (P = 0.012). No difference was found between anxiety scores before and after camp on either the state or trait anxiety inventories (n = 55; P > 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, HRQOL improved in children after attending IBD summer camp. This exploratory study suggests that contributing factors for these improvements may be an increase in social functioning, a better acceptance of IBD symptoms, and less distress regarding treatment interventions, suggesting that a camp that is specifically designed for children with IBD may normalize the chronic illness experience. However, future research using a multimodal measurement approach is warranted to support these conclusions. [source]


    The transitional object in dementia: clinical implications

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDIES, Issue 2 2007
    Sheila LoboPrabhu
    Abstract The concept of the transitional object in human development was first proposed by Winnicott, and it has been extensively discussed in the child psychoanalytic literature. However, there are very few empirical studies on the transitional object in adult development. The transitional object has been discussed in relation to medical illness, medication, aggression, dreams, spirituality and religion, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, fetishes, medication, and body image. There is very little literature on the transitional object in dementia. Dementia is a process of transition from a healthy, active state to a dependent state with progressive loss of memory, functional skills, and independence. Patients and families experience grief, loss, fear, anxiety, guilt, and anger. In this article, we address the role of the transitional object in dementia. We discuss the concepts of the transitional object and precursor object, and their possible role in interventions with patients and caregivers. We discuss various aspects of the therapeutic process and treatment setting, which may serve as transitional objects in various stages of dementia. The therapeutic relationship serves as the "holding environment" in which various transitions may be safely accomplished. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    An assessment of the proximity of clothing to self scale for older persons

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 4 2010
    Young-A Lee
    Abstract Sontag and Lee developed the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale, an objective measure of the psychological closeness of clothing to the self, and validated a 4-factor, 24-item scale with adolescents. The research reported here extends their work by validating a 3-factor, 19-item PCS Scale for use with older persons, age 65 and over. A mail survey was sent to a national random sample of 1700 older persons in the United States resulting in 250 respondents in the final sample. Three analytical rounds of confirmatory factor analysis to test the construct validity of the PCS Scale were conducted by using a structural equation modelling programme. The validated three PCS dimensions (i.e. factors) are clothing in relation to: (1) self as structure , process; (2) self-esteem , evaluative and affective processes; and (3) body image and body cathexis. The researchers recommend using this 19-item PCS Scale for future consumer behaviour research on older persons when investigating the importance of dress, clothing needs or clothing involvement to meet basic human needs, self-esteem, life satisfaction and successful aging. [source]


    Eating problems, body image disturbances, and academic achievement: Preliminary evaluation of the eating and body image disturbances academic interference scale

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 2 2008
    Tovah Yanover MA
    Abstract Objective: To examine the relationships between a new scale, the Eating and Body Image Disturbances Academic Interference Scale (EBIDAIS), and measures of eating disturbance, body image, and academic achievement. Method: One thousand five hundred eighty-four college undergraduates completed the measures in an online survey and were awarded class credit for their participation. Measures included the Eating Disorder Inventory Bulimia, Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Perfectionism subscales. Grade point average (GPA) was also reported. Results: Academic interference and GPA were significantly correlated, indicating that higher interference scores were related to lower GPA. EBIDAIS was also significantly correlated with drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction, but was not significantly associated with perfectionism. The correlation between interference and GPA was substantially higher for a subsample of individuals who scored in the elevated range on eating and body dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Academic interference may be a relatively unexamined, but potentially important, outcome for individuals who experience eating problems and body image disturbance. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008 [source]


    Blindness and bulimia nervosa: A description of a case report and its treatment

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2006
    Fernando Fernández-Aranda PhD
    Abstract Objective Blindness has rarely been described in the eating disorder (ED) literature. In case reports in which this condition has been reported before an ED, it was concluded that visual body image was not essential for the development of the ED. This is the first report in which bulimia nervosa (BN) and its treatment in a blind woman were described. Method We report a single diagnosed and treated case of BN in a blind, 47-year-old Spanish woman. This case presented as its main characteristics the late onset of the ED, restrictive dieting, binging, and consequent purging behavior characterized by vomiting and great difficulties of coping with stress. From the beginning, the woman's body image was not essential. The treatment consisted of 21 individual outpatient sessions, which followed a non,symptom-oriented cognitive-behavioral approach, in which problem solving and stress management strategies were employed. Results Before, after the treatment, and at the 6-month and 1-year follow-up, the clinical evolution of the patient was assessed. Conclusion Although a few descriptions of single case reports on blindness in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) have already been reported in the literature, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case in which this condition and its treatment have specifically been reported in an individual with BN. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Int J Eat Disord, 2006 [source]


    Mirror exposure for the treatment of body image disturbance

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 2 2006
    Sherrie Selwyn Delinsky PhD
    Abstract Objective Body image disturbance is a risk factor for the development and persistence of eating disorders. Limitations of current treatments for body image disturbance prompted the development of a mirror exposure (ME) treatment. Method ME involves deliberate, planned, and systematic exposure to body image. The approach is nonjudgmental, holistic in focus, and mindful of present emotional experience. Complementary behavioral assignments aim to reduce avoidance and excessive checking. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of ME therapy (in a three-session format) compared with a nondirective (ND) therapy for 45 women with extreme weight and shape concerns. Results ME resulted in significant improvements at termination and follow-up in body checking and avoidance, weight and shape concerns, body dissatisfaction, dieting, depression, and self-esteem. As hypothesized, ME was significantly better than ND on many of the outcome measures. Conclusion ME is an effective treatment for body image disturbance and should be evaluated in the context of treatments for eating disorders. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    The paradox of normal serum albumin in anorexia nervosa: A case report

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2005
    Mori J. Krantz MD
    Abstract Objective Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with marked decreases in caloric intake and a corresponding reduction in body weight due to abnormal self body image. Although counterintuitive, hypoalbuminemia and vitamin deficiencies are not expected consequences of this disorder. Etiologic considerations for hypoalbuminemia are discussed. Method The case report of a patient with AN and marked hypoalbuminemia is presented and a focused literature review is reported. Results Hypoalbuminemia was initially attributed to starvation. However, occult infection was ultimately responsible. Serum albumin concentration normalized with antibiotic therapy despite minimal restoration of body weight. Discussion Hypoalbuminemia should not be considered a characteristic feature of AN even in the setting of progressive weight loss. The presence of other potentially life-threatening conditions should be sought, as reduced serum albumin concentration is a marker of inflammation in AN. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Dissonance thin-ideal and didactic healthy behavior eating disorder prevention programs: Results from a controlled trial

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2004
    Jill Anne Matusek
    Abstract Objective Negative body image, a common problem among college-age women in the United States, strongly correlates with low self-esteem, disturbed eating behavior, and eating disorders. Psychoeducational programs have inconsistently shown improvement in body image, thin-ideal internalization, eating behaviors, psychosocial functioning, and self-esteem. Method In the current study, college women with body image concerns (N = 84) were randomly assigned to a cognitive dissonance-based, thin-ideal internalization, single-session workshop (DTI; n = 26); a psychoeducational, healthy behavior, single-session workshop (HB; n = 24); or a wait-list control (WL; n = 34). Results Comparing baseline data with 4-week follow-up data, results indicated that both DTI and HB participants reported improvement in body image, thin-ideal internalization, and eating behaviors. Discussion Results provide evidence that both interventions effectively reduce risk factors for eating pathology. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 376,388, 2004. [source]


    Body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating in black and white women

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2003
    Marisol Perez
    Abstract Objective This study predicted and found that body image dissatisfaction and bulimic symptoms have a curvilinear relationship among undergraduate women. Results For the women in this sample, regardless of race, body image dissatisfaction correlated with bulimic symptoms, such that women who perceived themselves as bigger or smaller than the ideal body size for their ethnic group endorsed bulimic symptoms. Black and white women differed regarding their ethnic group's ideal body image and their self-perceptions of how they compared with the ideal image. Black women tended to report being underweight, whereas white women tended to report being overweight. Discussion The findings in this study suggest that some black women are not buffered against eating disorders as suggested in previous research. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 342,350, 2003. [source]


    Primary prevention of risk factors for eating disorders in adolescent girls: Learning from practice

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2002
    Catherine Steiner-Adair
    Abstract Objective This study evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of a primary prevention program for risk factors for eating disorders in adolescent girls. Method Nearly 500 seventh-grade girls participated in "Full of Ourselves: Advancing Girl Power, Health, and Leadership," and were assessed at baseline, immediately after program completion, and 6 months later on several self-report measures of knowledge, body image, and eating and weight-related behaviors. Results Significant differences were found between participants and controls on measures of knowledge and weight-related body esteem, which were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Eating related behaviors, including skipping meals and dieting, appeared unaffected by program participation. Discussion The program was feasible, safe, and resulted in positive and maintained changes in knowledge and weight satisfaction for adolescent girls. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 32: 401,411, 2002. [source]


    A meta-analytic examination of the relationship between child sexual abuse and eating disorders

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 2 2002
    Linda Smolak
    Abstract Objective This study had two goals. The first was to assess the magnitude and consistency of the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and eating disorders (ED). The second was to examine methodological factors contributing to the heterogeneity of this relationship. Method Meta-analysis was used to examine both questions. Fifty-three studies were included in the analysis. Results A small, significant positive relationship between CSA and ED emerged. The relationship was marked by heterogeneity. Effect sizes were largest when CSA was the grouping variable, the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) or the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) was used as the measure of eating disorders, and nonclinical groups were compared with clinical samples. Discussion Models of CSA and ED need to more clearly specify what aspects of ED (e.g., body image or binge eating) are most influenced by which types of CSA. These specific relationships then need to be examined empirically. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 31: 136,150, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eat.10008 [source]


    Body image treatment for a community sample of obligatory and nonobligatory exercisers

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2001
    Jane Ellen Smith
    Abstract Objective Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was used to treat body dissatisfaction in obligatory and nonobligatory exercisers within a community sample of normal weight women. Method Ninety-four women (36% obligatory exercisers, 64% nonobligatory exercisers) were assigned randomly to CBT or the waiting-list (WL) control group. Results The hypotheses that obligatory exercisers would show poorer pretreatment body image and greater compulsivity than nonobligatory exercisers were supported partially. The prediction that obligatory exercisers would respond less favorably to treatment was not supported. Overall, CBT participants evidenced significantly better body image outcomes than the WL at posttreatment, but many effects were lost by the follow-up. Discussion Treatment response is considered in light of the unique characteristics of this ethnically diverse, older community sample when compared with the young students in earlier body image intervention studies. The high rate of physical activity among even the nonobligatory exercisers is highlighted for its mood-regulation properties and its treatment implications. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 30: 375,388, 2001. [source]


    A high status burial from Ripon Cathedral, North Yorkshire, England: differential diagnosis of a chest deformity

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
    S. Groves
    Abstract Excavations beneath the crossing at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire recently revealed a burial radiocarbon dated to the late 15th century AD. The burial was that of a young adult female; the location of the grave suggests a person of relatively high status. The very well preserved skeleton revealed abnormal changes to the bones of the thoracic cavity including anterior bowing of the sternum, flattening of the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae three to nine against the processes below each one, and changes to the ribs that suggested anterior displacement of the rib cage. The skeletal changes are described and differential diagnoses presented. Treatment to an underlying chest deformity, ,pectus carinatum', is thought to be the underlying cause of the skeletal changes; this study may lend direct insight into the concepts of body image in the Medieval period. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Social Cognitive Reactions to Considering Participation in Weight-Management Interventions

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
    Shaelyn M. Strachan
    This study investigated social cognitive reactions and individual-difference factors associated with selecting a traditional diet intervention (TDI) and a nondiet (NDI) intervention. Participants read balanced descriptions of typical TDI and NDI interventions, and subsequently completed a questionnaire assessing selection of intervention, self-efficacy (SE), and outcome expectations (OE) for each approach; body image (BI); and demographics. MANOVA procedures revealed that selection of intervention moderated ratings of SE and OE for each intervention. In addition, MANOVA procedures revealed a 3-way interaction between intervention selection, intervention rating, and weight status. A MANOVA also revealed that selection groups differed on the overweight preoccupation subscale of the BI measure. Social cognitions and aspects of body image may provide useful information about readiness for weight-management approaches. [source]


    A neuropsychological dimension for anchoring effects

    JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 5 2005
    John D. Jasper
    Abstract Previous research has shown that strength of handedness predicts differences in sensory illusions, Stroop interference, episodic memory, and beliefs about body image and the origin of species. Recent evidence also suggests handedness differences in the susceptibility to information framing and persuasion. The present paper extends this line of work to decision anchoring effects. In Experiment 1, 131 introductory psychology students responded to 12 real-world knowledge questions after being given random, uninformative high or low anchors. Results indicated that "strong-handers" showed larger anchoring effects than "mixed-handers." In Experiment 2, 89 introductory psychology students responded to 6 real-world knowledge questions in a modified, two-step anchoring task in which participants were given a credible source for the anchored information and asked to give pre- and post-anchor estimates. In contrast to Experiment 1, results revealed that mixed- and strong-handers were affected similarly by anchoring. In Experiment 3, 158 students were asked to estimate the answer to one of two versions of 8! (8,×,7,×,6,×,5,×,4,×,3,×,2,×,1 or 1,×,2,×,3,×,4,×,5,×,6,×,7,×,8),a multiplication problem in which the high and low anchors are inherently informative. Here, mixed-handers showed larger anchoring effects than strong-handers. A theory centered around the notion of hemispheric specialization and the communication between the two halves of the brain as well as arguments about the informativeness of anchors, metacognition, and recent theorizing in the anchoring literature are used to account for these data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]