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PubMed1990

Perceived health status, self-esteem and body image in women with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative design was used with a sample of 26 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 23 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 28 healthy (HLT) women to examine: (a) the relationship of illness to perceived health status, self-esteem and body image, (b) the relationships between perceived health status and both self-esteem and body image, (c) the relationship between these three variables and age and time since diagnosis, and (d) the problems, needs and fears of women with RA and SLE. Perceived health status differences were found between the ill and healthy subjects, but self-esteem differences were nonsignificant; mean scores on body image of RA and HLT groups approximated each other, while SLE subjects had lower scores. Perceived health status was directly related to self-esteem, but not to body image. Age and time since diagnosis were weakly positively related to perceived health status. Both similarities and differences were identified in the problems, needs and fears of RA and SLE subjects.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

The phenomenology of body image distortions induced by regional anaesthesia.

Patients with peripheral nerve or spinal cord lesions frequently report perceptual distortions related to position, shape, texture or temperature of the affected areas. This study aimed to describe the phenomenology of such body image alterations during the course of upper limb, lower limb or spinal anaesthetic blocks in patients (n = 36) undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Multimodal sensory testing and assessment of motor function were performed at regular intervals, and the relationship between the reported body image distortions and the progression of sensory and motor impairment was analysed. We found that perceptual changes concerning the shape and size of the deafferented limb occurred in the great majority of patients. In all of them, illusions of swelling, elongation or shortening of the limb coincided with the impairment of warm, cold and/or pinprick sensations, suggesting that thin myelinated Adelta- and/or unmyelinated C-fibres may provide a source of tonic modulation to the limb's cortical representation. Such perceptual alterations of shape and size of body parts differed clearly from postural illusions in terms of frequency, time course and influence of vision. In addition to perceptual changes in the deafferented area, almost half of the patients felt their unanaesthetized lips and/or mouth swelling during the course of upper limb block, suggesting the unmasking of dynamic interactions between somatotopically adjacent cortical representations. Conflicting sensations could co-exist in the patient's body image, such as the illusion of swelling of a limb, which, at the same time, was felt to be missing. The sense of ownership of the deafferented limb was impaired in some cases. These observations show that the perception of body shape and the awareness of its postural variations are built from different plastic models. They also underline the contribution of peripheral afferent activity to the maintenance of a unified body image.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Body image preference in the United States and rural Thailand: an exploratory study.

The authors conducted a field study to examine the female body image preferences of young women and young men in a rural northern province of Thailand and in central California. The Thai participants did not have stronger body image preferences than did the U.S. participants overall. However, the young women preferred a significantly more slender body image than did the young men, F(1, 80) = 14.98, p < .001, and the Respondent Gender x Nationality interaction was also significant, F(1, 80) = 4.42, p = .039. Thai men, as expected, exhibited preferences for figures that were heavier than those preferred by their U.S. counterparts. Thai women, in contrast, exhibited preferences for figures that were thinner than those preferred by their U.S. counterparts or their male countrymen. These results are explained in terms of traditional Thai and U.S. values and in terms of Western cultural influences in modern Thailand.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Psychosocial differences associated with body weight among female adolescents: the importance of body image.

PURPOSE: To determine whether overweight female adolescents differ from normal and underweight female adolescents with respect to a set of psychosocial factors, while controlling for body image. METHODS: Female participants of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 3197) were selected for analysis. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to test whether overweight subjects differed from normal and underweight subjects with respect to measures of depression, self-esteem, trouble in school, school connectedness, family connectedness, sense of community, autonomy, protective factors, and grades. Stepdown F-tests and discriminant function coefficients provided information regarding the strength of specific factors in contributing to overall differences. RESULTS: MANOVA revealed significant differences between groups on the combined set of psychosocial factors. Self-esteem defined the difference in a positive direction while grades defined the difference inversely. When controlling for body image, multidimensional group differences were still evident; however, self-esteem was no longer a significant contributing variable. CONCLUSIONS: While overweight female adolescents seem to suffer from low self-esteem, it may be explained by body image. Efforts should be directed toward encouraging and supporting healthy eating patterns and physical activity while encouraging students to recognize personal strengths not related to physique.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Body image and restrictive eating behavior in adolescents].

BACKGROUND: The progressive increase in eating disorders suggests the need to begin health education in early childhood. However, the prevention of eating disorders has been a complicated and, perhaps for this reason, elusive goal for researchers. Restrictive behavior and body image distortion are two basic criteria in the diagnosis of eating disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between appearance schema and restrictive behavior such as preoccupation with weight and dieting in a random sample of 373 adolescents. METHODS: The instruments used were the Appearance Schemas Inventory (ASI) and the Restraint Scale (RS). Statistical analysis included Pearson's correlation coefficient, Student's t-test, and analysis of variance with the post hoc Tukey contrast test. RESULTS: Body image and restrictive behavior scores were positively correlated (p < 0.0001). Body image distortions were significantly greater in younger adolescents and in those with a higher RS score (i.e. those involved in following restrictive diets and who experienced frequent weight fluctuations) than in older adolescents and in those with a lower RS score. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the importance of working in primary prevention and of concentrating efforts on the identification and subsequent modification of body image distortions in children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Body image in boys: a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Both scientific research and popular attention have begun to focus on the neglected issue of body image in boys. We reviewed the findings of this emerging literature. METHOD: Using computer and manual search techniques, we located 17 studies that assessed body image attitudes in boys under age 18. RESULTS: We located 17 studies, most performed within the last 10 years. Eight studies used exclusively questionnaires or interviews; the rest also used figure drawings from which the subjects could choose specific images in answer to questions. Although boys generally displayed less overall body concern than girls, many boys of all ages reported dissatisfaction with their bodies, often associated with reduced self-esteem. Whereas girls typically wanted to be thinner, boys frequently wanted to be bigger. However, most studies failed to distinguish between "bigness" due to increased muscle and that due to fat. CONCLUSIONS: Body image dissatisfaction in boys is common and often associated with distress. To better assess this phenomenon, future studies should take care to separate the indices of muscle and fat.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Sociocultural influences on eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and psychological functioning: a comparison of African-American, Asian-American, and Caucasian college women.

Eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and psychological functioning were evaluated in 98 female college students: 36 African-Americans, 34 Asian-Americans, and 28 Caucasians. African-Americans had significantly higher body mass index than either Asian-American or Caucasians. In contrast, Caucasians reported greater levels of disordered eating and dieting behaviors and attitudes and greater body dissatisfaction than did Asian-Americans and African-Americans who differed little on these measures. The nature of variability in these eating behaviors and attitudes and body image was also examined within each of the three groups. A generally consistent pattern emerged within each racial group: low self-esteem and high public self-consciousness were associated with greater levels of problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction. A history of being teased about weight and size was associated with problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction in African-Americans and Caucasians but not in Asian-Americans. The findings suggest that there exist important racial differences on various aspects of eating, dieting, and body image in college women. Contrary to hypothesis, the degree of acculturation and assimilation within the African-American and Asian-American groups was unrelated to variability in these domains.

Acculturation↗

PubMed1998

Adolescent body image dissatisfaction: relationships with self-esteem, anxiety, and depression controlling for body mass.

The current study examined the relationships of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem with Perceived Body Image Dissatisfaction (PBID) in a nonclinical population of 516 adolescents, aged 12 to 18. The prevalence of PBID was comparative with previous findings. Interestingly, actual body mass and psychological well-being variables were found to be significantly related with PBID, whilst being independent of each other. Findings support proposals that PBID arises from a complex interplay of factors, including gender, self-esteem, and actual body mass. In particular, our findings highlight the need for future research of a prospective nature incorporating psychological, sociocultural, and maturational factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Body image disorders.

The concepts of disorders of body image are reviewed from three aspects: sociocultural, neurological and psychiatric disorders. Particular attention is paid to the construct of body dysmorphic disorder as defined in the DSM III-R and the separation of this from somatic delusional disorder. The recognition of associated psychopathology will frequently lead to successful treatment before too much time is spent on fruitless attempts at treatment of the presenting complaint.

Body Image↗

PubMed1996

Should body-image scales designed for adults be used with adolescents?

For many people, there is a discrepancy between perceived and desired physical appearance. Attempts have been made to quantify this discrepancy as a measure of body-image disturbance: however, the use of measurement scales which are not population-specific may bias the assessment. To investigate whether ratings of body-images were affected by the scale employed, 57 male and 40 female adolescents were tested using both adult and adolescent body-figure silhouette scales. Significant between-scale differences were found, with adolescents displaying consistently lower body-image ratings when viewing adult as opposed to adolescent scales. In addition, between-sex differences in discrepancy scores and correlations between discrepancy scores and another measure of body satisfaction were significantly influenced by the scale employed. The results confirm the need for population-specific measurement scales and the implementation of standardised assessment procedures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

The influence of body mass index and learned resourcefulness skills on body image and lifestyle practises.

We examined the importance of body mass index (BMI-light, medium, heavy) and learned resourcefulness skills (low, medium, high) on body image perceptions and lifestyle practises in 184 undergraduate women who were of relatively normal weight. Significant main effects were observed for the BMI and the learned resourcefulness variables. Supporting previous literature, the heavier and medium weight groups of women were more dissatisfied with their weight and appearance in comparison to the lighter weight group, but all groups shared similar eating attitudes and lifestyle practises. Also as predicted, women with low resourcefulness skills had more eating disturbances, perceived less control over their lifestyle, were more preoccupied with their weight in comparison to the high and, to a lesser extent, the medium groups. Contrary to prediction, heavier weight women with low resourcefulness skills were neither the most dissatisfied with their body shape nor the most susceptible to acquiring unhealthy lifestyle practises and disturbed eating attitudes. Implications for lifestyle counselors are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Body image and health: contemporary perspectives.

There has been a significant increase in research into body image in men, women and children in the last 20 years. This editorial reviews definitions of the concept of body image, and considers potential health consequences of lowered body satisfaction and increased body concern. The articles that form this Special Issue are contextualized within contemporary research literature around relevant themes. These include sociocultural influences, gender, effects of weight and appearance and perceptual factors. Implications of findings for health psychologists involved in designing health promotion interventions are discussed.

Body Image↗

PubMed2003

Women's perceived body image: relations with personal happiness.

The present study examined the relationships between body image and happiness in adult women. One hundred and forty-four women, with an average age of 40 years, were surveyed. Within the sample, three age groups were established: college-aged women, middle-aged women, and older women. Each participant completed the Body Esteem Scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984), the Eating Attitudes Test (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979), and the Life Satisfaction Index A (Neugaten, Havighurst, & Tobin, 1961). Results indicated that happiness significantly and positively correlated with the three components of body esteem: sexual attractiveness, weight concern, and physical condition. There were no significant differences among the types of body satisfaction expressed by women of different ages. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of recognizing body image as a major contributor to overall life happiness in women.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Body-image perceptions: reliability of a BMI-based Silhouette Matching Test.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of a BMI-based Silhouette Matching Test (BMI-SMT). METHODS: The perceptions of ideal and current body images of 215 ninth through twelfth graders' were assessed at 5 different schools within a mid-Atlantic state public school system. RESULTS: Findings provided quantifiable data and discriminating measurements of community and population-based body image perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI-SMT technique provided reliable information to help community and individual-based programs track and measure body-image perception data among individuals and populations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Body image, eating behaviors, and attitudes toward exercise among gay and straight men.

Gay men tend to be more dissatisfied with their bodies and may be at greater risk for symptoms of eating disorders compared to heterosexual men. However, the majority of research conducted with gay and heterosexual men has implemented instruments designed to assess eating disorder symptomatology in women. The present study assessed differences between gay and heterosexual men using the Male Eating Behavior and Body Image Evaluation (MEBBIE), an instrument designed to assess attitudes and behaviors related to eating, exercise and body image specifically in men. Analyses of MEBBIE scale means with body mass index (BMI) as the covariate indicated that, relative to their heterosexual counterparts, gay men diet more, are more fearful of becoming fat, and are more dissatisfied with their bodies in general as well as with their degree of muscularity. Gay men were also more likely than heterosexual men to hold distorted cognitions about the importance of having an ideal physique. Contrary to hypotheses, however, gay and straight men did not differ in the degree to which they exercised or felt guilty about missing a workout. Results are discussed in light of previous findings, and implications for clinical practice and future research are considered.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

A comparison of body image, self-esteem and social support in total mastectomy and breast-conserving therapy in Turkish women.

As well as the medical outcomes of two distinct operations, namely total mastectomy and breast-conserving therapy, their impact on the psychic structuring of the patient may differ. A group of 40 woman with who had undergone mastectomy were therefore compared with another 40 with who had received breast-conserving therapy, with regard to the variables of body image, self-esteem and social support. The women who underwent breast-conserving therapy had a more positive body image (P < 0.001). The two groups showed a negligible difference with respect to self-esteem and social support (P > 0.05). A negative correlation was found between body image and social support (P < 0.05). Patients with total mastectomy therefore do have a more negative body image than patients receiving breast-conserving therapy. Self-esteem and social support in the postoperative period in two groups are comparable.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Development of the Children's Body Image Scale.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a gender-appropriate pictorial scale to measure body image in young children based on a measurable index of adiposity. METHOD: Pictorial scales for boys and girls containing seven body pictures representing standard percentile curves for body mass index (BMI) for healthy children were developed. The Children's Body Image Scale (CBIS) was administered to 312 children aged between 7 and 12 years. RESULTS: Accuracy of body size perception, indicated by the correlation between actual and perceived BMI category figure, developed with age, girls acquiring accuracy earlier than boys. Whereas girls developed a good accuracy (r =.60, p <.001, 10-12 years), in boys, the correlation, though significant, was not strong (r =.35, p <.01, 10-12 years). There was a consistent bias towards underestimation of body size using this technique. There was a high frequency of body size dissatisfaction across all the age ranges, 48% girls and 36% boys wished to have a smaller body figure than their own, and only 10% of girls and 20% boys wished to have a larger body figure. Construct validity was assessed in a subset of 153 children in which additional measures of restrained eating (DEBQ-R) and body esteem were available. From the age of 8 years, the CBIS provides a good measure of body dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The CBIS provides a good measure of body size perception in girls and an adequate measure in boys aged 8 years and older. It also provides a good measure of body size dissatisfaction in children. Internalization of a thin body ideal takes place at a young age, many children desiring a BMI below the average norm.

Body Constitution↗

PubMed2003

Rural urban differences in weight, body image, and dieting behavior among adolescent Egyptian schoolgirls.

Overweight and obesity prevalence among adolescents is increasing worldwide and may be associated with increased risk for the development of obesity and chronic diseases in adulthood. Dissatisfaction with weight and body shapes is a contributor to the growing incidence of adolescent eating disorders. Our purpose was to compare the relationship between body weight and body image in a convenience sample of rural and urban girls. We also wanted to examine the influence of the mothers on their daughters by asking the girls how their mothers would classify their body shapes. Three hundred and forty adolescent Egyptian schoolgirls representing Cairo and surrounding rural areas were studied. The girls were from private and public schools. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Body image was determined by asking participants to indicate which of five silhouettes of a female body most closely resembled her own current body size. We also asked them to select the silhouette that closely resembled their mothers' current body size. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference standards, 35% of the girls were > or = 85th percentile, while 13% were > or = 95th percentile. Overweight was more prevalent in urban than rural girls and in those with higher socio-economic status than in lower socio-economic status girls. Girls' perceptions of how their mothers viewed their bodies differed from how the girls viewed their own bodies. From a policy point of view, these data underscore the need to consider not only the health risks associated with overweight and its distribution on the body, but also the weight and body image of the target audience in the design of clinical and public health intervention programs worldwide.

Adolescent↗