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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

I see what you see: the lack of a self-serving body-image bias in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Eating-disordered subjects feel unattractive, and the current idea is that this feeling reflects a distorted body image. A distorted body image requires a mismatch between the negative self-judgments and more objective judgments of the body. DESIGN AND METHODS: To examine whether eating-disordered subjects have valid reasons for their feelings of unattractiveness, the body images of eating-symptomatic subjects and control models were compared with inter-subjective evaluations of these bodies given by two community samples (panels; N=72, N=88). RESULTS: Although the objective body sizes of the eating-symptomatic subjects were in the normal range and not different from control bodies, the first panel rated the (headless) bodies of the eating-symptomatic subjects as less attractive. This finding was replicated with the second panel. There was also large agreement between the eating-symptomatic subjects and the second panel on the specific body parts that were indicated as unattractive. Contrary to the eating-symptomatic subjects, the control models showed a strong positively biased perception of their own attractiveness: they rated their own bodies more positively than others rated them. CONCLUSION: Consensual validation of the harsh body appraisals of eating-symptomatic subjects was found. Interestingly, the normal controls were the ones that showed a biased body image; they rated themselves far more attractive than other people rated them. These data suggest that the real problem in eating disorders is not a distorted body image but a lack of a distorted body image, that is, the lack of a self-serving body-image bias.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Neuronal activity changes and body image distortion in anorexia nervosa.

Body image distortion is a major and often persistent symptom in anorexia nervosa. During a functional imaging investigation we confronted female anorectic patients and healthy controls with their own digitally distorted body images using a computer-based video-technique. Our findings indicate activation of the attention network as well as of structures involved in visuo-spatial processing and self-reflection in both groups. Anorectic patients showed a greater activation in the prefrontal cortex (BA 9) and the inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), including the anterior intraparietal sulcus, than did controls. However, an analysis of the BOLD-response in the IPL area revealed that anorectic patients showed only a specific increase in activation to their own pictures than to others indicating different visuo-spatial processing, while controls did not differentiate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Body-image distortion and dissatisfaction in university students.

The present study investigated body-image distortion and body-image dissatisfaction for a sample of 75 male and 75 female university students, in relation to personality variables implicated in the literature, such as sex-role orientation, self-esteem, locus of control, and depression. Women perceived their weight deviation from the norm at over 15% above their actual deviation, whereas men distorted less than 1%. In a multiple regression analysis, none of the personality measures correlated significantly with body-image distortion; however, sex of subject accounted for 25% of its variance. Body dissatisfaction was significantly associated with low self-esteem, externality, depression, and distortion. The relationship between body-image distortion and dissatisfaction, although significant, was surprisingly small. Apparently, these two aspects of body-image disturbance represent quite distinct constructs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Female body image following acquired brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate body image concerns and psycho-emotional health in females with acquired brain injury (ABI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Between subjects design. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Thirteen females with ABI and thirteen matched controls were assessed on a number of variables relating to body image, self-esteem and affect. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Indicated that women with ABI had a different profile of body image dissatisfaction than controls and that in some areas it was significantly worse. The women with ABI had significantly lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression than controls and this related to body image. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in body image and self-concept are potentially damaging to quality of life post-injury and suggest a role for targeted therapeutic work with women with ABI.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The perception of body image as a qualitative approach to nutritional status].

OBJECTIVE: To compare body image perception with body mass index (BMI) calculated from the weight and size declared by subjects, and to evaluate its usefulness in classifying the nutritional status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A representative sample of the Spanish population was selected consisting of 517 males and 483 females older than 15 years of age. Variables were sex, age, educational level, BMI and perceived body image. Differences between groups were estimated with the chi 2 test. Specificity and sensitivity of the agreement between body mass and image were assessed. RESULTS: The nutritional status for both indicators revealed higher overweight prevalence in males and obesity in females, which increase with age and decrease with greater educational level. Perceived body image differed between sexes, and among ages and educational levels (p < 0.01). Sensitivity and specificity as well as positive and negative predictive values were higher than 0.90 in subjects belonging to extreme cases. Precision was higher for sensitivity than for specificity. In all groups, categorization was better in females than in males and so was Spearman's correlation (p < 0.001). The Kendall W coefficient ranked high for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Body image allowed the identification of individuals with normal, excessive or lean nutrition. This indicator can therefore be useful in epidemiological surveys, considering some limitations for individualized diagnoses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Body image, symptoms and insight in chronic schizophrenia.

Historically, schizophrenics' body image problems were regarded as related particularly to delusions and hallucinations. However, during the 1980s, the predominant view of the phenomenology of the disorder broadened to include negative symptoms; deviations in schizophrenics' body image underlie various behaviors or allegations concerning the body and should be refocused. The present study attempted to detect body image deviations in chronic schizophrenia using the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ), which comprises three hypothetical components (anatomical, functional and other psychological components), and to clarify their related clinical characteristics in symptoms and insight. The BIQ was administered to 93 chronic schizophrenics (diagnosed according to DSM IV; 44 men and 49 women) and 177 normals (78 men and 99 women) adults. The combined data of the three BIQ components in schizophrenic and normal subjects were factor-analyzed separately, and factor scores obtained were compared between schizophrenic and normal groups. The factor scores that differentiated groups were further compared between schizophrenic subgroups, determined by high or low scores for positive symptoms assessed by Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, negative symptoms by Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and insight by the Schedule for Assessing Insight. Significant differences between diagnostic groups were found in five of nine factor scores. Dullness in movement, powerlessness, unusually strong gastrointestinal function, lifelessness and fragility proved to be the deviated body images in chronic schizophrenic patients. Powerlessness and lifelessness proved to be related to positive and negative symptoms, and unusually strong gastrointestinal function and fragility to insight.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Body image in secondary amenorrhea.

Body image and personality traits are described in women suffering from secondary amenorrhea. Data gathered, in 21 consecutive female patients, from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Body Cathexis Scale, Image Marking Method and Distorting Television Image Method, were examined and compared with those collected in a control group. No significant differences were found in terms of body perception and body dissatisfaction. The evaluation of MMPI profiles, on the contrary, suggested differences between amenorrheic subjects and controls for what concerned personality traits, these last being significantly, but differently, related to body dissatisfaction and wish for thinness in both groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in body image secondary to disease and injury.

This article describes the relationship between body image and self-concept, discusses responses to changes in body image secondary to disease and injury, and explores strategies for adjustment to alterations in body image. Sociopsychological aspects of body image form a complex framework by which an individual understands the self and perceives how he or she is understood by others. As body image, self-concept, identity, and ego are closely associated, a loss of or alteration in any one of these factors can have deleterious effects on the entire self. Rehabilitation professionals assume an important role in helping people adjust to and accept alterations in body image by facilitating the grieving process; addressing loss, anxiety, and depression; and empowering individuals to emphasize and use their assets.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

Body image among older, rural, African-American women with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes and obesity co-occur in high prevalence among African-American women. The positive value placed on large body size has both historic and contemporary biosocial relevance. The maintenance of weight at medically recommended levels is a cornerstone of both prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes. This study of overweight, elderly, rural African-American women with Type 2 diabetes found they generally preferred smaller body sizes compared to previous studies. Normal to slim body images as presented in a photographic array were selected as being more attractive, less likely to have diabetes and hypertension, healthier and to be more medically compliant than obese, grossly obese or very thin images. Body image is a psychosocial variable that should be included in weight control initiatives.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1994

[Body image, weight and eating behavior in adolescents].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of abnormal eating behaviour in relation to age, sex, and body awareness as well as to find potential access to the prevention of eating disorders. The study population was taken from 203 female and 153 male college students aged 14 to 19 years. The method chosen was a self-report questionnaire asking for assessment of current body image and ideal body image by body size silhouettes, dietary habits, methods of weight control and symptoms of eating disorder. Measurements of height and weight were also included. RESULTS: Among girls, 63% are satisfied with their body shape, in contrast to 93% of the boys. The current body shape matches the ideal body image in 49% of the girls and in 69% of the boys. In two thirds of the female students the ideal body image corresponds to a slightly underweight silhouette, whereas in four fifth of the male students it corresponds to a normal-weight silhouette. A majority of girls (53% vs. 13% boys) is afraid of gaining weight. Four times as many girls use a variety of methods to lose weight. There were no sex differences concerning the regularity of meal intake. Only 13% of all students took all three main meals daily. Eating habits were significantly worse with higher body-mass index. A high risk for the presence of an eating disorder was seen exclusively in girls (4%), whereas the majority of boys (99%) are represented in the low-risk group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Effect of body image and self-image on women's sexual behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between women's body image, self-image, and sexual behaviors; to determine the effect of body image on personal and sex variables; and to identify factors that contribute to more frequent and greater comfort with sex. METHOD: A magazine survey that included items about body image, self-image, and sexual behaviors was completed by 3,627 women. RESULTS: Women more satisfied with body image reported more sexual activity, orgasm, and initiating sex, greater comfort undressing in front of their partner, having sex with the lights on, trying new sexual behaviors, and pleasing their partner sexually than those dissatisfied. Positive body image was inversely related to self-consciousness and importance of physical attractiveness, and positively related to relationships with others and overall satisfaction. Body image was predictive only of one's comfort undressing in front of partner and having sex with lights on. Overall satisfaction was predictive of frequency of sex, orgasm, and initiating sex, trying new sexual behaviors, and confidence in giving partner sexual pleasure. DISCUSSION: Results indicate that overall self-image and body image are significant predictors of sexual activity. Directions for future research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Body image dissatisfaction among women with scleroderma: extent and relationship to psychosocial function.

Body image dissatisfaction and its relationship to psychosocial function were investigated in 127 women with scleroderma Results indicated elevated body image dissatisfaction, with participants reporting higher levels than a sample of patients with severe burn injuries. Age, skin tightening above the elbows, and functional disability were related to heightened body image dissatisfaction, suggesting that younger patients with more severe disease may be at greatest risk for developing body image concerns. Path analysis revealed that depression mediated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and psychosocial function. Results suggest that body image dissatisfaction is a significant concern in women with scleroderma and should be assessed routinely. Early identification and treatment of body image dissatisfaction may help prevent the development of depression and psychosocial impairment in this population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

Body image of anorexic, obese, and normal females.

This study investigated disturbances in body image perception with anorexic, obese and control groups (N = 24). Each group was comprised of 8 female subjects matched for age. An original silhouette chart and chi squares were employed, and a significant difference was found among the groups in the perception of the present-self body image (chi 2 (8) = 24.19, p less than .01), body image at plus 10 pounds (chi 2 (6) = 27.63, p less than .01), and body image at minus 10 pounds (chi 2 (8) = 26.05, p less than .01). No differences among the groups appeared in perceived ideal-self body image or in their perception of the body image that was expected from their families. A directional trend was noted in anorexic overestimation and obese underestimation on the total concept of body image. Significant differences among the groups as judged via a semantic differential technique were found for personality descriptions of happy/sad, active/passive, popular/unpopular, effective/ineffective, competent/incompetent, smart/stupid, and cold/warm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Body image and psychosocial adjustment in adolescent cancer survivors.

Examined body image and social adjustment in 21 adolescents who had completed cancer treatment and a healthy comparison group. Subjects completed questionnaires assessing body image and social adjustment and were videotaped during an interview. Raters blind to health status independently rated subjects' attractiveness. Cancer survivors reported less than half as many social activities as the healthy controls. No group differences were found on social anxiety, loneliness, or composite body image scores. However, within the cancer group, adolescents who had been off treatment longer reported lower self-worth, more social anxiety, and more negative body image perceptions, but were not rated as less attractive by observers. Findings suggest body image concerns and social anxiety may not develop until several years after treatment termination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Underlying dimensions and psychometric properties of the Eating Behaviors and Body Image Test for preadolescent girls.

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

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of coping style and negative body image on eating disturbance.

OBJECTIVE: Relationships among coping strategies, negative body image, and eating disturbance were studied. METHOD: Subjects were 128 college women; measures included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and three indices of negative body image. RESULTS: Higher use of both emotion-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping via distraction was associated with higher EAT scores; higher use of emotion-oriented coping also was associated with more negative body image. Findings agree with data associating these coping styles with other measures of psychological distress and psychopathology. Task-oriented coping also was high, but unrelated to negative body image or eating disturbance. Hierarchical regression analysis yielded a significant interaction between emotion-oriented coping and negative body image: The higher the use of emotion-oriented coping, the less the level of negative body image appeared to affect EAT score. DISCUSSION: Both the main effect for coping and the interaction suggest that high use of emotion-oriented coping should be considered a risk factor for eating disturbance.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Body Image Dissatisfaction: A Framework of Development and Recommendations for Dietitians.

Body image dissatisfaction is a serious, prevalent condition in western culture. It is estimated that 50% of women dislike their bodies and fear being overweight; two manifestations of a negative body image. There has been a trend in recent years for more and more individuals to experience a discontent with their bodies. Body image dissatisfaction is not simply a dislike of personal appearance, but the negative emotions, thoughts and attitudes associated with perceived appearance. Consequently, assessment and therapy of this condition involves the understanding of intricate psychological processes. Body image dissatisfaction may prevent individuals from incorporating other healthy behaviours, including balanced approaches to nutrition and activity. Dietitians routinely counsel individuals in the area of nutrition and health, yet dietitians are usually untrained to recognize body image dissatisfaction. This review examines the condition of body image dissatisfaction and provides the necessary background information to understand its development. Recommendations for dietitians are included to assist those working with affected individuals.

Journal Article↗