Actual-ideal Weight Discrepancy Research Articles

The role of actual-ideal weight discrepancy in the relationships between perfectionism, self-esteem, self-compassion and eating pathology in adolescents with eating disorders

Understanding factors associated with adolescent eating disorders is important for improving treatment outcomes. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy refers to the discrepancy between actual weight and the ideal weight an individual wants to achieve. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy is associated with poorer treatment outcome in eating disorders. It is important to understand factors associated with weight discrepancy to identify targets for treatment to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine self-related constructs associated with actual-ideal weight discrepancy. The specific aim was to determine if perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion contribute to eating disorder symptoms in adolescents, both independently, and through the mediating pathway of actual-ideal weight discrepancy. Participants comprised 114 female adolescents, aged 12–17 years with an eating disorder (40% anorexia nervosa, 33% atypical anorexia nervosa, 16% bulimia nervosa, 5% other specified and 5% unspecified feeding and eating disorders). Higher actual-ideal weight discrepancy, higher perfectionism, lower self-esteem, and lower self-compassion were associated with greater eating disorder symptoms. When the predictors of perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion were included together in a path model predicting eating disorder symptoms, the model explained 59% of variance, and self-esteem and actual-ideal weight discrepancy were the only significant predictors of eating disorder symptoms. Lower self-esteem predicted greater eating disorder symptoms directly and through the mediator of actual-ideal weight discrepancy.

Are explicit and implicit affective attitudes toward different body shape categories related to the own body-satisfaction in young women? The role of mindfulness, self-compassion and social media activity

Implicit and explicit attitudes influence our behavior. Accordingly, it was the main goal of the paper to investigate if those attitudes are related to body image satisfaction. 134 young women between 18 and 34 years completed an explicit affective rating and an implicit affective priming task with pictures of women with different BMIs. Because it is well known that mindfulness, self-compassion and social media activity influence body image satisfaction, these variables were registered as well. The results confirmed an explicit positive affective bias toward pictures of slim women and a negative bias toward emaciated and obese body pictures. It adds to the literature that the explicit positive bias does not hold true for the strongest form of underweight, suggesting that instead of dividing different body shapes into two groups, different gradings of under- and overweight should be considered. Concerning the affective priming task, no significant differences between the different pictures could be carved out. Implicit and explicit affective attitudes were not related to the body satisfaction of the participating women. In line with former studies, body satisfaction was predicted by the actual-ideal weight discrepancy, the BMI, aspects of mindfulness and self-compassion. This study indicates that implicit and explicit affective attitudes toward underweight and overweight women are unrelated to the participants’ body satisfaction.

Translation and validation of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 in Brazilian adults

We examined the psychometric properties of a Brazilian Portuguese translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015). A sample of 990 Brazilian adults (560 women, 430 men; Mage = 31.10, SD = 8.94) completed the BAS-2 and measures of life satisfaction, self-esteem, actual-ideal weight discrepancy (women only), breast size dissatisfaction (women only), drive for muscularity (men only), and disordered eating behaviours. Exploratory factor analyses indicated that BAS-2 scores reduced to a single dimension with all 10 items in women and men. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the fit of this one-dimensional factor structure following freeing of error covariances between two pairs of items. BAS-2 scores achieved full scalar invariance across sex, and men had significantly higher BAS-2 scores than women. Internal consistency coefficients were adequate and test-retest reliability was supported up to three weeks in a subsample of 221 participants (140 women, 81 men). Evidence of construct validity was demonstrated through positive associations with indices of psychological well-being and negative associations with indices of negative body image and disordered eating behaviours. Availability of a Brazilian Portuguese translation of the BAS-2 should help to promote greater understanding of positive body image in the Brazilian context.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2)

The 10-item Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely-used measure of a facet of positive body image. Here, we examined the psychometric properties of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the BAS-2 in a community sample of Malaysian Malay and Chinese adults (N = 781). Participants completed the Malay BAS-2 alongside demographic items and measures of subjective happiness, life satisfaction, actual-ideal weight discrepancy (women only), drive for muscularity (men only), and internalisation of appearance ideals. Exploratory factor analyses with a Malay subsample indicated that BAS-2 scores reduced to a single dimension with all 10 items in women and men, although the factor structure was similar but not identical across sex. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the one-dimensional factor structure had adequate fit following modifications. BAS-2 scores were partially scalar invariant across sex (with no significant sex differences) and ethnicity (Malay participants had significantly higher body appreciation than Chinese participants), as well as had adequate internal consistency. Evidence of construct and incremental validity was also provided through associations with additional measures and the prediction of subjective happiness over-and-above other variables, respectively. The availability of the Malay BAS-2 should help advance research on the body appreciation construct in Malay-speaking populations.

Body image, self-esteem, media, disordered eating and actual ideal weight discrepancy: Findings in Cyprus

The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the actual ideal weight discrepancy and the following variables in adolescents from Cyprus: self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, investment in appearance, weight-related anxiety, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals, the perception of the media as a good source of information in regards to appearance, the perception of the media as a source of pressure, and disordered eating symptomatology. The sample consisted of 2220 high school students (881 boys, 1339 girls) who answered the measures of interest. Results indicated significant relationships between the actual ideal weight discrepancy and all the variables of interest. In addition, results indicated weight-related anxiety and appearance satisfaction to be significant predictors of the actual ideal discrepancy in both boys and girls. Significant gender differences concerning the actual ideal weight discrepancy were also found where girls reported higher levels of discrepancy. No differences were found concerning age, socioeconomic status and place of upbringing and residence. The results of this study offer important additional information to the body image and disordered eating literature regarding a construct (actual ideal weight discrepancy) never examined before in Cyprus. This information could be used by Cypriot and European mental health professionals when working with children and teenagers who are at risk for or exhibit symptoms related to eating disorders and in developing prevention interventions.

What is the relationship between facets of narcissism and women's body image?

Studies that have implicated facets of narcissism in women's body image have not differentiated between normal and pathological forms of narcissism. To rectify this omission, 404 British women completed measures of narcissism (normal and pathological, vulnerable and grandiose), drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and actual-ideal weight discrepancy. Multiple regressions indicated that pathological forms of narcissism, but not normal narcissism, significantly predicted negative body image. In addition, facets of pathological narcissism and normal-vulnerable narcissism significantly predicted weight discrepancy. Our findings suggest that, when measured concurrently, pathological but not normal narcissism is associated with negative body image.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 in university students in Hong Kong

Previous studies have suggested that there may not be cross-cultural equivalence in the factor structure of body appreciation. Here, we examine the conceptual equivalence of a Chinese (Cantonese) translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015b), a newly-developed measure of body appreciation. Participants were 457 women and 417 men from a university in Hong Kong. The results of exploratory factor analyses showed that, like its English version, the Chinese BAS-2 had a one-dimensional structure. Body appreciation scores had good internal consistency and were also significantly associated with respondent body mass index, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and (in women) actual-ideal weight discrepancy. Men had significantly higher scores than women, while comparisons with data from Tylka and Wood-Barcalow (2015b) suggest that cross-cultural differences are small-to-moderate at best. The present findings suggest that the BAS-2 may prove to be a useful tool for the assessment of body appreciation across cultures.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale among adults in Hong Kong

Previous research has suggested that the factor structure of Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), a widely-used measure of positive body image, may not be cross-culturally equivalent. Here, we used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the conceptual equivalence of a Chinese (Cantonese) translation of the BAS among women (n=1319) and men (n=1084) in Hong Kong. Results showed that neither the one-dimensional nor proposed two-dimensional factor structures had adequate fit. Instead, a modified two-dimensional structure, which retained 9 of the 13 BAS items in two factors, had the best fit. However, only one of these factors, reflective of General Body Appreciation, had adequate internal consistency. This factor also had good patterns of construct validity, as indicated through significant correlations with participant body mass index, self-esteem, and (among women) actual-ideal weight discrepancy. The present results suggest that there may be cultural differences in the concept and experience of body appreciation.

Weight discrepancy and body appreciation among women in Poland and Britain

Previous studies have suggested that the process of transmigration has detrimental effects on the body image of migrants relative to women in the country of origin. In the present work, we examined the body image of Polish migrants in Britain (n=153), Polish women in Poland (n=153), and a comparison group of British White women (n=110). Participants completed a measure of actual-ideal weight discrepancy and the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). Contrary to hypotheses, our results showed that Polish women in Poland had significantly higher weight discrepancy than their counterparts in Britain. Further analyses showed that the BAS reduced to two dimensions among Polish participants, with Polish participants in Poland having significantly lower body appreciation than Polish migrants. We suggest that the sociocultural changes that have taken place in Eastern Europe may place women in that region at relatively high risk for developing negative body image.

An examination of ethnic differences in actual-ideal weight discrepancy and its correlates in a sample of Malaysian women

The present study examined ethnic differences in actual-ideal body weight discrepancy and its correlates among a sample of Malaysian adult women. A total of 459 Malays, 307 Chinese and 150 Indians from Kuala Lumpur completed measures of their actual-ideal body weight discrepancy, sociocultural messages about appearance, self-reported body mass index (BMI) and demographics. Results showed that Chinese women had smaller actual-ideal body weight discrepancy scores than both Malay and Indian women, although the effect size of this difference was small ( =.01). There were also significant ethnic differences in the internalisation of media messages about appearance, although effect sizes were likewise small. Further analyses revealed that sociocultural messages about appearance and self-reported BMI explained between 28% and 47% of the variance in actual-ideal body weight discrepancy for the three ethnic groups, respectively. These results are discussed in relation to the extant literature on body image in the Malaysian context.

Body image and personality: Associations between the Big Five Personality Factors, actual‐ideal weight discrepancy, and body appreciation

Studies have suggested associations between personality dimensions and body image constructs, but these have not been conclusively established. In two studies, we examined direct associations between the Big Five dimensions and two body image constructs, actual-ideal weight discrepancy and body appreciation. In Study 1, 950 women completed measures of both body image constructs and a brief measure of the Big Five dimensions. In Study 2,339 women completed measures of the body image constructs and a more reliable measure of the Big Five. Both studies showed that Neuroticism was significantly associated with actual-ideal weight discrepancy (positively) and body appreciation (negatively) once the effects of body mass index and social status had been accounted for. These results are consistent with the suggestion that Neuroticism is a trait of public health significance requiring attention by body image scholars.

Weight discrepancy and body appreciation of Zimbabwean women in Zimbabwe and Britain

Few studies have investigated a cultural group's corporeal experiences in both its country of origin and a host, Western country using the same methodology. To overcome this dearth in the literature, the present study examined body image among 140 women in Harare, Zimbabwe, and an age-matched sample of 138 Zimbabwean migrants in Britain. Participants completed measures of actual-ideal weight discrepancy, body appreciation, and lifetime exposure to Western and Zimbabwean media. Preliminary analyses showed that there were no significant differences in body mass index between the two groups. Further analyses showed that Zimbabwean women in Britain had significantly greater weight discrepancy and lower body appreciation than their counterparts in Zimbabwe. In addition, weight discrepancy and body appreciation among both samples were significantly associated with exposure to Western media, but not Zimbabwean media. These findings support the contention that transcultural migration may place individuals at risk for symptoms of negative body image.

Women's meta-perceptions of attractiveness and their relations to body image

The present study examined meta-perceptions of attractiveness among women. More specifically, ratings were collected about how women thought their partner, family and friends, and strangers would view their physical attractiveness. In an online survey, 1287 Dutch women (aged 19–80 years) answered questions concerning meta-perceptions of attractiveness, demographic data, body mass index (BMI), body image (Body Areas Satisfaction Scale, self-rated general physical attractiveness, and actual–ideal weight discrepancy), and self-esteem. Results showed that women's meta-perceptions of attractiveness reflected the level of closeness of the relationship with the other person, with the most positive meta-perceptions reported for the partner, followed by those for family and friends, and the least positive meta-perceptions for strangers. Meta-perceptions were strongly related to body image, self-esteem and BMI. Self-ratings of attractiveness appeared to be lower than all meta-perceptions of attractiveness, suggesting that women are aware of their own negative self-bias and/or other people's positive bias.

Associations between trait emotional intelligence, actual–ideal weight discrepancy, and positive body image

This study examined associations between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and two measures of body image, namely actual–ideal weight discrepancy and body appreciation. A total of 108 women completed the Photographic Figure Rating Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3, and provided their demographic details. Correlations showed that all trait EI factors were significantly associated with both actual–ideal weight discrepancy and body appreciation. In multiple regressions, only the well-being factor emerged as a significant predictor of actual–ideal weight discrepancy and body appreciation, respectively, once participant weight status and media influence had been controlled. These results are discussed in relation to interventions aimed at promoting positive body image through optimizing trait EI.

A comparison of actual-ideal weight discrepancy, body appreciation, and media influence between street-dancers and non-dancers

Previous work on body image has tended to treat dancers as a relatively homogenous group, despite the existence of different dance styles and genres. In the current study, we examined body image among individuals involved in street-dancing (genres that typically evolved outside formal settings and are often improvisational in nature) and an age-matched comparison of non-dancers. A total of 83 street-dancers and 84 non-dancers completed scales measuring their actual-ideal weight discrepancy, body appreciation, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and demographics. Controlling for participant body mass index (BMI), results showed no significant between-group difference in actual-ideal weight discrepancy, although street-dancers had significantly higher body appreciation than non-dancers. In addition, media influences were implicated in body image concepts for both groups, although internalisation of athletic ideals was more important for street-dancers. These results are discussed in relation to the extant research on body image among dancers.

Eating disorders and weight concern among lesbians.

This study estimated rates of bulimia nervosa and binge eating, and assessed risk factors among 203 lesbians. Participants completed questionnaires containing measures addressing lifestyle, self-esteem, body esteem, attitudes about attractiveness, and disordered eating. The rate of bulimia nervosa among lesbians was similar to that of heterosexual women, but binge eating disorder was more frequent. Eating as negative affect regulation was a more significant predictor of binge eating than body dissatisfaction or dieting. Lesbians were not significantly different from heterosexual women in attitudes concerning weight and appearance, or dieting. Self-esteem was significantly related to body esteem, and actual-ideal weight discrepancy was associated with body dissatisfaction, suggesting that lesbians are not immune from the effects of not meeting societal ideals of thinness. Increased lesbian/gay involvement was associated with lower weight concern. Implications for models of risk for eating disorders, and understanding the experience of lesbians, are discussed.