Cognitive factors associated with binge and purge eating behaviors: The interaction of body dissatisfaction and body image importance

Abstract

This investigation examined the association of body dissatisfaction, body image importance, and the interaction of these variables with the disordered eating behaviors of bingeing and purging. Undergraduate women (n = 311) completed the Shape and Weight Based Self-Esteem Inventory (SAWBS; J. Geller, C. Johnston, & K. Madsen, 1997) to assess body image importance, the Body Esteem Scale (BES; S. L. Franzoi & S. A. Shields, 1984) to assess body dissatisfaction, and a self-report measure of binge and purge frequency. Hierarchical multiple regressions predicting binge and purge behaviors were conducted with body mass index and neuroticism controlled first, SAWBS and BES entered next, and the interaction of SAWBS and BES entered last. A main effects model significantly predicted binge frequency (p < .05), but was not improved by the addition of the interaction term. In contrast, the interaction term made a significant contribution to the prediction of purge frequency (p < .05). These findings indicate that body image importance and body dissatisfaction are both important factors to consider in understanding bulimic behaviors, particularly purge behavior; however, the associations of these variables with binge and purge behaviors may differ.