Search

This study investigated the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms in first-year students at the University of Puerto Rico. Responses to the Bulimia Test Revised (BULIT-R), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were analyzed in a sample of 2,163 freshman students. The percentage of students at or above the clinical cut-off points was 3.24% for the BULIT-R and 9.59% for thel EAT-26, and 1.88% met the cut-off point for both instruments. The 36.44% of the students who screen positive on eating disorders measures scored 18 or more on the BDI and 5.93% on this group presented high suicidal risk based on their responses to BDI items assessing suicidal thoughts. Eating disorder symptoms occur frequently in Puerto Rican college students, and prevention, detection, and treatment efforts are needed. [c] 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:666-679, 2010. Keywords: eating disorders; Latinos; prevalence; bulimia nervosa; anorexia nervosa; depression DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20684

A sample of 14-year-old boys and girls were studied using previously collected biomedical, familial, antenatal, demographic, and social data to identify prospective predictors of eating disorders. Findings suggest that parents' perceptions on their child's weight were more powerful predictors of the development of eating disorders compared to objective child body weight.

This study used data collected by Statistics Canada in the Mental Health and Well-being cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 20,211) to examine the associations between disordered eating behavior and selected mood, anxiety and substance use disorders in adult women grouped in three age groups. Significant associations between disordered eating behaviors and major depression, substance dependence and psychological distress were found for women in all three age ranges. Prevalence of specific classes of anxiety disorders in women who reported disordered eating behaviors differed according to their age. Having disordered eating behaviors was significantly associated with both 12-month and lifetime prevalence of social phobia for women above 25 years of age. Lifetime prevalence of agoraphobia was associated with disordered eating behaviors in women 15-44 years old, and the 12-month prevalence was associated with disordered eating behaviors only in women 15-24 years of age. Disordered eating behaviors were significantly associated with lifetime prevalence of panic disorder in women in all three age ranges and with 12-month prevalence of panic disorder in women in two age ranges, 15-24 and 45 and above. The findings highlight the importance of taking age into consideration when developing assessment instruments and treatment strategies to address the co-occurrence of eating disorders and other psychiatric disorders. KEYWORDS. Eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance dependence, psychological distress, community sample

Researchers have uncovered a disturbing trend in the gay community: Gay men are at an increased risk for disordered eating. Researchers in this area generally support the existence of a sociocultural component to this phenomenon; however, these assertions have not been experimentally tested. We attempted to demonstrate that media representations targeted toward gay men have the potential to affect disordered eating and self-perception. Results showed that contrary to the hypothesis, the experimental group did not show an increase in eating disorder symptomology; in some cases, the opposite occurred. Implications of the importance of identifying with media images are discussed. KEYWORDS. Eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, media influence, male homosexuals

Among 261 undergraduate women, increased severity of eating disorders along a continuum was associated with decreased self-esteem, increased perfectionism, and increased scores on 7 subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory-2. Women with eating disorders differed from both symptomatic women and asymptomatic women on all variables, whereas symptomatic women differed from asymptomatic women only on self-esteem, perfectionism, ineffectiveness, body dissatisfaction, and interoceptive awareness. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 45.2% of the women with eating disorders and 59% of the overall sample., Clients with eating disorders are a critical problem for mental health professionals. Between 1% and 3% of women have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000), and [...]

In the dominant culture of the United Stales (U.S.), Asian American women contend with racial and gender-specific stereotypes that relate specifically to the images of the Asian American woman's body. Recent literature on the body image and eating disorders of Asian American women reveals that beyond the issues of body shape, weight, and traditional diagnoses, issues of racism, racially specific parts of the body, and eating disturbance beyond the traditional diagnostic categories may hold significance. A review of the literature and multiculturally-informed feminist therapy approaches to addressing issues of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women are presented. KEYWORDS. Asian American women, body image, eating disorders, feminist therapy

To understand whether difficulties in emotional functioning distinguish between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, a set of emotion regulation (i.e., negative emotion, emotional awareness, coping), demographic (i.e., age), and physical (i.e., BMI (Body Mass Index)) factors were assessed in 234 early adolescent girls, grades six to eight. Compared to younger girls, older girls had higher BMI and reported increased body dissatisfaction. Age, BMI, and negative affect predicted body dissatisfaction, whereas BMI, body dissatisfaction, and lack of emotional awareness predicted disordered eating. Further, girls who reported high levels of disordered eating reported experiencing increased levels of negative affect, greater difficulties with emotional awareness, and more difficulty coping constructively with negative emotion than girls who reported low levels of disordered eating. Results support the contention that body dissatisfaction, combined with difficulties in emotional awareness are related to disordered eating. KEY WORDS: body dissatisfaction; disordered eating; emotion regulation; early adolescence.

Feminist consciousness is theorized to be a powerful resource against the detrimental effects of sexism. The present study examined whether feminist identity styles moderated the relation of perceived lifetime and recent sexist events to disordered eating for 256 college women. Using hierarchical moderated regression, we found two styles of feminist identity (i.e., synthesis and active commitment) buffered the relation between perceived sexist events and disordered eating; the three remaining styles of feminist identity did not moderate this relationship. For women low on synthesis and active commitment, both perceived lifetime and recent sexist events positively predicted disordered eating. In contrast, for women high on synthesis and active commitment, neither perceived lifetime nor recent sexist events predicted disordered eating. Our results substantiate extant theory that sexist events contribute more to the psychological distress of nonfeminist women than of feminist women.

Objectification theory has linked self-objectification to negative emotional experiences and disordered eating behavior in cultures that sexually objectify the female body. This link has not been empirically tested in a clinical sample of women with eating disorders. In the present effort, 209 women in residential treatment for eating disorders completed self-report measures of self-objectification, body shame, media influence, and drive for thinness on admission to treatment. Results demonstrated that the internalization of appearance ideals from the media predicted self-objectification, whereas using the media as an informational source about appearance and feeling pressured to conform to media ideals did not. Self-objectification partially mediated the relationship between internalized appearance ideals and drive for thinness; internalized appearance ideals continued to be an independent predictor of variance. In accordance with objectification theory, body shame partially mediated the relationship between self-objectification and drive for thinness in women with eating disorders; self-objectification continued to be an independent predictor of variance. These results illustrate the importance of understanding and targeting the experience of self-objectification in women with eating disorders or women at risk for eating disorders. KEY WORDS: self-objectification; eating disorders; internalization; sociocultural.

Multivariate analyses were used to compare key eating behavior, cognitive, affective, and body variables to determine the similarities and differences between eating-disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic female undergraduates. On the eating behavior (i.e., bulimic symptoms, concern for dieting, weight fluctuation), and some of the cognitive (i.e., impression management, approval by others, dichotomous thinking, self-control, rigid weight regulation, weight and approval) and body (i.e., concern with body shape, satisfaction with face) variables, the eating-disorder group reported the most severe symptoms, followed linearly by the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. On the affective (i.e., sad, anxious, guilty, shameful, stressed, happy, confident, overall self-esteem) and the remaining cognitive (i.e., vulnerability, catastrophizing) and body (i.e., importance of being physically fit and being attractive, satisfaction with body) variables, the symptomatic and eating-disorder groups did not differ from one another but had higher levels of distress than did the asymptomatic women. These findings suggest that (1) counselors need to be aware that a large percentage of female undergraduates are nondiagnosable yet experience eating-disorder symptoms, and (2) these symptomatic women are experiencing high levels of distress, particularly in the areas of affect and body image. KEY WORDS: eating disorders; body image; cognitive distortions.

Objectification Theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) was used to examine (a) the mediation effects of body shame and flow on the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating, (b) age differences in self-objectification, body shame, flow, and disordered eating, (c) the prediction of physical activity from self-objectification, flow, body shame, and disordered eating, and (d) the relationships between self-objectification, flow, and physical activity. Participants were 394 women ages 18-64. Results revealed that (a) body shame mediated the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating, (b) younger women reported higher levels of self-objectification, body shame, dieting, and several flow characteristics, (c) older women scored higher on the loss of self-consciousness subscale of the flow measure, and (d) self-objectification was a significant predictor of physical activity. KEY WORDS: self-objectification; body image; disordered eating.

Objectification theory (B. L. Fredrickson & T. A. Roberts, 1997) demonstrates how sociocultural variables work together with psychological variables to predict disordered eating. Researchers have tested models that illustrate how certain constructs of objectification theory predict disordered eating, but a more comprehensive model that integrates a combination of constructs central to the theory (i.e., sexual objectification; self-objectification; body shame; poor interoceptive awareness of hunger, satiety, and emotions) has not yet been examined. In this study, we incorporated these variables within an inclusive model based on the assertions of B. L. Fredrickson and T. A. Roberts (1997) and examined it with 460 college women. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested that the model provided a good fit to the data and supported most propositions set forth by objectification theory and the eating disorders literature. KEY WORDS: eating disorders; objectification theory; body image; college women.

The purposes of the present study were to compare selected psycho-behavioral characteristics between Australian adolescent-aged ballet dancers and non-dancers linked to disordered eating patterns, and to determine selected psychological characteristics that most likely predisposed ballet dancers at risk for developing these patterns. Three predisposing characteristics were identified, the type and frequency of weight control behaviors used by dancers, the association between the dancers' concerns about their diet and weight, and evidence of psychological disturbance among the dancers commonly found among eating disordered patients. A significant MANOVA and subsequent univariate analyses" indicated that ballet dancers" were more at risk for developing eating disorders than non-dancers, and that dancers demonstrated greater weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction, and perfectionism than non-dancers. As opposed to non-dancers, dancers scored markedly higher for perfectionism, less body satisfaction, and a desire for thinness. Dancers" showed psychopathology common among women with disordered eating patterns. Additional research is needed examining the antecedents of these characteristics among dancers and the effectiveness of interventions that help prevent disordered eating patterns., Disordered eating may be defined on a continuum from eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa) to preoccupations with weight and restrictive eating (Wein & Micheli, 2002). However, there are [...]

The relationship between girls' media exposure and their development of eating disorder symptomatology was assessed. At Time 1 and Time 2 (16 months later), participants (N = 374; M age = 12.0) completed a questionnaire that assessed eating disorder symptomatology and television and fashion magazine exposure. Girls were divided into 3 groups: increased, decreased, or no change in eating disorder symptomatology between Times 1 and 2. Girls with increased symptomatology had significantly increased their exposure to fashion magazines but decreased their number of hours of television viewing. Girls with decreased symptomatology had significantly decreased their exposure to both television and fashion magazines. KEY WORDS: media; eating disorders; adolescent girls.

It is alleged that eating disorders are nonexistent in African American women and that eating disorder symptomatology occurs predominantly among White middle class women (Kumanyika, Wilson, & Guilford-Davenport, 1993; Smolak & Striegel-Moore, 2001). This research attempted to identify differences in eating disorder symptomatology in African American and White American women. An eating disorder is a disability because it can damage the person physically, emotionally and socially. It can be undetected for years and society may reinforce the hidden disorder by being complimentary regarding the thin appearance of the person. The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was used to measure psychological traits and symptom clusters associated with the understanding and treatment of eating disorders (Garner, 1990). Measures of self-esteem, depression and coping were also examined. Findings indicated differences between African American and White women on the Ineffectiveness scale of the EDI, differences between the urban/rural women on Ineffectiveness and Perfectionism, and differences in coping strategies and education among this sample group of women. Successful treatment usually involves psychotherapy and/or medication for depression. KEYWORDS. Eating disorders, bulimia, anorexia, ethnic, African American, urban, rural

Research shows a high level of concern among Chinese teenage girls regarding weight-related issues. Although few cases of bulimia or anorexia were identified, some individuals satisfied partial diagnosis criteria. Other findings included problematic identification of underweight girls using Western standards for assessing body mass index.

Research is presented on 954 Lebanese university students of both genders sampled for indicators and behaviors associated with eating disorders. Indicators included a wish to be thinner and food caloric content awareness; behaviors included avoidance of specific foods and strenuous exercising. Indicators and behaviors varied according to body mass index and gender.

Research on women and adolescent girls indicate that no strong relationship exists between eating disorders and substance abuse. Alcohol was only weakly associated with eating problems in women, while nicotine was weakly associated with eating problems in adolescent girls.

Research on body image, eating disorders and self-esteem among men reveals that sexual orientation or exercise status do not exert a strong influence on any of these research categories. Data were obtained from 134 men, including heterosexual men, gay men and bodybuilders.

A new study investigates the theory that women with bulimic attitudes will develop both cognitive avoidance of, and attentional bias towards, emotion cues, and that their reaction is age-dependent.

A new study examines the gender differences in bulimia-related personality variables among older teenagers with chronic bulimic symptoms. It is shown that females with chronic bulimic symptoms report more need for thinness compared to normal females, while males with chronic bulimic symptoms are less trustful and more perfectionist than their cohorts.

Chinese university students in the US were studied to determine acculturation's impact on their psychological functioning as well as their eating behavior. Self-report questionnaires were distributed and 104 males and 93 females took part in the study. On acculturation scores, there were no sex differences but on degrees of acculturation and eating disorders there were dissimilarities. For women, bulimia was linked to increased acculturation. An increase in perfectionism was noted for men with high acculturation scores while those who scored low felt more ineffective.

Research shows that eating disorders are not confined to white women but are spread across a wider race distribution. A new study investigates attitudes about appearance and weight, self-esteem and disordered eating, in a sample of ethnically diverse dieters to test the theory that Asian and white women's responses are similar, as are those of black and Hispanic women. The study suggests there is little difference between the eating attitudes and practices of dieting women, regardless of ethnicity.

Researchers surveyed eating behaviors, weight loss patterns, and attitudes towards weight and appearance, in a sample of 9,971 women dieters from different ethnic groups. The investigation provided rare data on a nonclinical group, but the fact that all the women were readers of one magazine introduced a statistical bias. Results showed no differences between ethnic groups for some variables, including self-esteem and binge eating. However, there was a greater incidence of being overweight amongst black women who were also more prone to purging, and Asian women valued exercise more as a means of controlling weight.

Eating disorders in British Asians were investigated using the Leicestershire Eating Disorders Service. The case records of 24 Asians living in Leicestershire was examined during the study period. Empirical results show that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are common among British Asians. The rate of presentation of people of Asian descent was lower than that of the white population. It was also found that Asian women with eating disorders were referred less often than their male counterparts.

Young women from various ethnic groups in Leicester, England, were compared to examine possible differences in their eating attitudes/problems and associated psychological problems. Two hundred thirty-five young women from the Caucasian (59.8), Asian (25.8%), Black (11%) and other (3.4%) ethnic groups aged 18-27 were examined regarding their eating and weight problems, self-esteem, general psychological well-being, illness perception and health seeking-behavior. No significant ethnicity-based differences were found in eating attitudes/problems, self-esteem, anxiety, depression and illness perception.

A study designed to assess ethnic differences in the health and psychosocial behaviour of adolescent females with eating disorders finds that many factors are common to all groups. Among the factors associated with binge eating in all ethnic groups are perceived overweight, body dissatisfaction, low body pride, concerns over peer acceptance and emotional stress.

A survey of 109 white and 40 minority women was conducted to find out whether ethnicity or the racial factor was an important determinant of the kind of symptoms or psychological characteristics of eating disorder. Results show that there is no relationship at all. Thus, treatment designed for Caucasians can be applied without modification to ethnic minority women suffering from the eating malfunction.

Little systematic research has examined the factors that contribute to perceptions of an eating binge. This study showed videotapes of a single male, single female, or three females eating a variable number of doughnuts at different rates to male and female undergraduate subjects. Subjects were asked to label their own eating as a binge or not, had they eaten like the person on the videotape, and how they would feel afterward. The majority of female subject labeled their own eating as a binge under all conditions, and endorsed negative emotional outcomes. Males required a large number of doughnuts, or rapid consumption before the majority labeled it a binge, and experienced mostly gastrointestinal outcomes. Many noneating disordered women in our culture may be labeling much of their eating as a binge and experience dysphoria afterward.

An analysis of 11 cases of eating disorder patients, averaging 60 years at age of presentation, provides evidence for postmenopausal and truly late onset of anorexia or bulimia nervosa in elderly women. The concurrent medical and comorbid psychiatric symptoms complicate the diagnosis and treatment processes. Factors, such as reluctance to discuss psychological issues, and eating habits make the diagnosis more complex. The diagnosis and treatment criteria are similar to those for earlier onset cases. However, factors, such as loss of spouse or marital issues, need to be considered.

Middle-aged adult black and white women have comparable levels of body dissatisfaction (BD) and eating disorder symptomatology. When the degree of overweight is controlled for, white women report higher rates of body dissatisfaction than black women. However, there is a significant level of body image dissatisfaction in both racial groups. Similar factors are accountable for BD, and overweight is related to increased rate of body dissatisfaction in both groups. Social pressure and attitudes toward fatness fail to significantly predict BD among the white and black women.

The characteristics of bulimic individuals in the United States and Austria are compared to identify the role played by cultural settings in the development of bulimia nervosa. 66 American and 66 Austrian women were recruited and interviewed using similar methods. Results show that bulimic women exhibit differences regarding prevalence of mood disorders, eating behavior, attitude towards body characteristics and childhood experiences.

Disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescent females in Hong Kong show similarity to Western patterns of these variables. Body dissatisfaction is a strong predictor of disordered eating. Conflict and perceived family cohesion are also related to body dissatisfaction to some extent. These psychosocial variables can increase weight control behavior, fat phobic attitudes, and body dissatisfaction among female adolescents in Hong Kong.

The lifetime prevalence of different eating disorders in Norwegian women and men in a psychiatric outpatient clinic is 38.7% and 21.3% respectively, and the point prevalence is 18.7% and 14.7% respectively. The frequency of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders is similar in both men and women. The rate of eating disorders is higher among women, patients below 40 years of age, and in the close family of patients with eating disorders. Self-reported prevalence rates are higher than the staff-reported prevalence rates.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder commonly affecting young, white girls, but there are an increasing number of Asian women suffering from similar problems. An analysis of a number of surveys focusing on Asian women and eating disorders is presented and several case reports are presented. It is concluded that eating disorders in Asian girls is a growing problem and needs further investigation.

Eating disorders (EDs) are more common among Native American and equally common among Hispanic women as compared to Caucasian women. EDs are less common among black and Asian American women probably due to higher weight tolerance, self-confidence, and less dietary restrictions. Women of the minority communities that identify with middle class values and are well educated and heavier, stand a higher risk of getting EDs. Being overweight is the main risk factor among minority women, while feeling overweight, though not actually so, is the main risk factor for Caucasian women.

The occurrence of bulimia nervosa in lesbians is examined in relation to heterosexual women. The occurrence is similar in heterosexual and lesbian women. However, lesbians suffer from binge eating more than heterosexual women. Binge eating is related more to reducing anxiety than to dieting or body dissatisfaction. Attitudes towards dieting or weight and appearance are similar among lesbians and heterosexual women. In lesbians, body esteem and self esteem are significantly related.