Aspects Of Body Image Research Articles

Socio-Cultural Standards Promoted by the Mass Media as Predictors of Restrictive and Bulimic Behavior.

Research lacks in verifying the nature of the relationship between mass media pressure, body image, and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviors. This study aimed to investigate whether the internalization of sociocultural norms, perceived pressure or searching for information about body image promoted by the mass media directly affect restrictive and bulimic behavior toward eating, through the mediating role of body image and physical appearance variables. The research hypotheses were that (1, 2) body image, the pressure and the internalization of sociocultural norms are significant predictors of unhealthy eating behavior among women and men; and (3) the variables related to body image play the role of the mediating variable between the impact of socio-cultural standards of body image promoted by the mass media and unhealthy eating behavior. The sample comprised 514 Polish men and women, aged 16 to 63 old (men M=24.35; SD=13.53; women M=24.77; SD=7.61), with average Body Mass Index (BMI). Assessment comprised the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale (SATAQ-3), Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI 3), The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS), and the author’s survey questionnaire. The descriptive and comparative statistics, and a path analysis (structural equations modeling) were applied. The statistical analysis showed that the variables related to body image do not play the role of intermediary variables. The pressure of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had the strongest and most direct effect on the development of restrictive eating behavior and appeared to negatively affect body image in women. The search of information on body image in the mass media had the strongest and most direct impact on the development of bulimic eating behavior among women. However, only the global internalization of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had a significant and direct effect on the development of bulimic eating behavior in men. Moreover, the internalization of athletic body shape standards had the strongest and most positive impact on some aspects of body image in this group. No sociocultural variables showed a direct impact on restrictive behavior among studied men. BMI had a positive and direct impact on individual body part satisfaction. These results may help improve prevention of eating disorders and dysfunctional eating behavior.

Body Image Themes in Instagram Posts Using Hashtags #rd2be and #nursingstudent

Abstract Objectives Instagram is an image driven social media platform popular among young adults today. Research on young women suggests that unrealistic portrayals of female bodies may contribute to a poor body image and disordered eating behavior. Nutrition students may feel more pressure to appear thin and fit to lend credibility as a nutrition professional, putting them at higher risk for body dissatisfaction. This study assessed the frequency of body image themes in Instagram posts using the hashtag #rd2be, commonly used by dietetic students, compared to posts using the hashtag #nursingstudent, commonly used by nursing students. Methods A content analysis was conducted on all Instagram posts from randomly selected days in September 2018 and March 2019 that included one of the focal hashtags (#rd2be or #nursingstudent) and represented weekdays and weekends. Images, captions, and other hashtags were reviewed for body image aspects which included body type portrayed in images (thin, average, overweight, fit) and messages in captions and hashtags related to body dissatisfaction (weight, fatness, and muscle) and overall body acceptance. Chi-square was used to test differences in the prevalence of body image attributes between posts using the two hashtags. Results A total 2924 posts were reviewed (1204 with #rd2be and 1720 with #nursingstudent). Body image-related attributes were found in 11.4% of total posts and the prevalence differed between #rd2be posts (22.7%) and #nursingstudent posts (3.5%; P < .001). Posts using #rd2be had almost twice the prevalence of thin bodies (33.6% vs 18.8%, P < .001) and double the fit/muscular bodies (10.6% vs 4.4%; P = .001) than posts using #nursingstudent. More #nursingstudent posts displayed dissatisfaction with body weight (77.0% vs 37.0%, P < .001), body fat (39.3% vs 10.6%, P < .001), and muscle (49.2% vs 16.5%, P < .001) than posts using #rdtobe. Messages regarding overall body satisfaction were more prevalent in #rd2be posts than #nursingstudent (64.1% vs 18.0%, P < .001). Conclusions Findings suggest that while dietetics students may be more mindful of body image issues than nursing students, nutrition students overall may have a higher degree of body satisfaction. Further research is needed to explore possible connections with disordered eating practices. Funding Sources No funding sources.

Resistance Exercise and Art Therapy on Body Image in Breast Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Background: Treatments for breast cancer are invasive, causing visible changes such as loss of the breast, body weight change, and hair loss. These changes in conjunction with the pressure for women to conform to societal beauty standards may lead to body image disturbance in breast cancer survivors (BCS). The aims of this scoping review were to explore the nature, characteristics, and extent of the literature examining resistance exercise or art therapy on body image in BCS; and examine how body image is defined and measured across the studies.Methods: We searched the literature up to January 2020, which included conducting electronic searches of three major databases and checking references of screened articles.Results: Ninety-three articles were identified, 28 underwent full-text screening, with 8 studies eligible for inclusion in the review. Five randomized control trials, one hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial, and two single group studies were found. All studies showed significant within-group difference in body image scores, with two studies showing a between-group difference in favor of resistance exercise. No studies were found combining resistance exercise and art therapy. None of the studies defined the aspect of body image they wished to measure, and only one used theory to inform their research.Discussion: Preliminary evidence supports the benefit of resistance exercise and art therapy as single interventions to improve body image perception among BCS. Findings suggest the need for closer attention to the delivery format of interventions. Future research is needed that is theory-informed, with a clear definition of the aspect of body image of interest, and with body image as the primary outcome.

A bifactor analysis of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale: What are we really measuring?

Internalized weight stigma (IWS) has been linked with disordered eating behavior, both directly, and as a mediator of the relationship between experienced weight stigma and maladaptive coping. However, the construct of IWS is highly correlated with the related constructs of body image and global self-esteem, and the three constructs may better be represented by underlying trait self-judgment. This overlap is not generally accounted for in existing studies. The present study investigated the shared variance between self-esteem, body image, and IWS in an international sample of higher-weight individuals. Bifactor analysis confirmed that the intermediary role of IWS in the relationship between experienced stigma and self-reported eating behavior was largely accounted for by aspects of body image and global self-esteem. Greater conceptual clarity in the study of IWS is needed to understand the mechanisms via which societal weight stigma impacts on individuals’ self-directed judgments and downstream health-related behaviors.

Quality of life assessment of oncologically treated patients because of breast cancer

Introduction: Currently, in the world, breast cancer is recognized as one in four malignant neoplasms in women. It is the second most common cause of death in cancer patients. The disease, which is a threat to women’s lives, leads to the loss of personal control, during its duration it becomes everyday life with negative emotions such as uncertainty, anxiety and anxiety. Women have contact with a range of negative effects that the disease provides, causing them to resign and destructive to the psychophysical sphere. Disorders in the physical and mental aspect of body image, side effects of therapy, sexual relations with a partner and anxiety about health in the future are factors that have a huge impact on the quality of life of patients. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Materials and methods: The quality of life of 40 women with breast cancer who underwent oncological treatment was assessed using the author’s questionnaire with 12 questions and QLQ-BR23 questionnaire with 23 questions.. Results and conclusions: Studies have shown that the biggest problem for women was the side effects of the treatment and the most common discomfort during radiation therapy. They are characterized by redness of the skin, general weakness and fatigue, which in turn later translated into, a change in the perception of their body image, a decrease in their attractiveness, a sense of comfort and confidence. The obtained results showed that the lowest quality of life of the respondents was registered in the domain determining future perspectives. The best result was recorded in the domain of sexual pleasure and sexual functioning. When assessing the quality of life of the respondents, it follows that patients with vocational education have a worse quality of life within the domain of breast symptoms. Employed persons surveyed obtained worse quality of life results in terms of sexual functioning and sexual pleasure. Considering the duration of illness of the respondents, there were no statistically significant differences affecting the quality of life.

Body Dissatisfaction, Importance of Appearance, and Body Appreciation in Men and Women Over the Lifespan.

Body image disturbance is associated with several mental disorders. Previous research on body image has focused mostly on women, largely neglecting body image in men. Moreover, only a small number of studies have conducted gender comparisons of body image over the lifespan and included participants aged 50 years and older. With regard to measurement, body image has often been assessed only in terms of body dissatisfaction, disregarding further aspects such as body appreciation or the importance of appearance. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore different aspects of body image in the general German-speaking population and to compare men and women of various ages. Participants completed an online survey comprising questionnaires about body image. Body dissatisfaction, importance of appearance, the number of hours per day participants would invest and the number of years they would sacrifice to achieve their ideal appearance, and body appreciation were assessed and analyzed with respect to gender and age differences. We hypothesized that body dissatisfaction and importance of appearance would be higher in women than in men, that body dissatisfaction would remain stable across age in women, and that importance of appearance would be lower in older women compared to younger women. Body appreciation was predicted to be higher in men than in women. General and generalized linear models were used to examine the impact of age and gender. In line with our hypotheses, body dissatisfaction was higher in women than in men and was unaffected by age in women, and importance of appearance was higher in women than in men. However, only in men did age predict a lower level of the importance of appearance. Compared to men, women stated that they would invest more hours of their lives to achieve their ideal appearance. For both genders, age was a predictor of the number of years participants would sacrifice to achieve their ideal appearance. Contrary to our assumption, body appreciation improved and was higher in women across all ages than in men. The results seem to suggest that men’s and women’s body image are dissimilar and appear to vary across different ages.

Profiles of resources and body image in health and illness: A comparative study among females with rheumatoid arthritis, females with breast cancer and healthy controls

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine whether or not profiles of resources (i.e., a multifaceted picture that simultaneously includes different types of resources), as described by the conservation of resources (COR) theory, and profiles of body image (i.e., a multidimensional picture that simultaneously includes different aspects of body image) differ between females that represent two clinical samples (rheumatoid arthritis [RA]; breast cancer [BC]) and a healthy control group.MethodThe sample comprised 328 females, including 141 women with RA, 102 with a BC diagnosis, and 85 healthy women as a control group, and was collected from the general population. To measure the level of COR resources in each participant, we used the COR evaluation questionnaire (COR‐E). Participants' body image was assessed with the aid of the Multidimensional Body‐Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ).ResultsA discriminant analysis revealed that females from the clinical groups differed with respect to their profiles of some resources and body image when compared to those of the healthy control group. In addition, we found differences in body image evaluations between women with RA and women with BC.ConclusionsWomen with RA or BC differ substantially with respect to their subjectively assessed resources and body image when compared to women with no chronic diseases. Therefore, psychological counselling designed for females with RA or BC should be employed to help them restore the aspects altered by their respective illnesses.

Clustering of obesogenic behaviors and association with body image among Brazilian adolescents in the national school-based health survey (PeNSE 2015).

This study aimed to examine the association between clusters of obesogenic behaviors and body image indicators among a population-based sample of Brazilian adolescents. Data from a cross-sectional country representative survey of 9th grade students (N = 102,301) were analyzed. Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and body image indicators (i.e. satisfaction, perception, value, and weight control attitudes and behaviors) were self-reported. Three clusters were previously validated with two-steps cluster analysis: "Health-promoting SB and diet", "Health-promoting PA and diet", and "Health-risk". Multinomial and binary logistic regression were used to associate clusters with body image indicators. Adolescents in the healthier clusters were more likely to be satisfied/very satisfied with body image and perceive themselves as having normal weight than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. Boys in both health-promoting clusters were more likely to consider body image as being important/very important and perceive themselves to be thin/very thin. Adolescents in the "Health-promoting PA and diet" cluster were more likely to be trying to lose or gain weight than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. Girls in the "Health-promoting SB and diet" cluster had lower odds of adopting unhealthy weight control behaviors than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. The effect of obesogenic behaviors on distinct aspects of body image was confirmed and found to vary according to different synergies between adolescents' health-related behavior. These findings provide important insights on the understanding of behavioral profiles which can be targeted to prevent unhealthy weight control behaviors and weight related disorders, especially among girls.

Body image dan tingkat kebahagiaan pada wanita dewasa awal

Body image is a form of self-assessment which appears based on societies’ perspective. Someone will categorized their self whether they are included or not to the standard of beauty. This condition leads to the satisfaction of their body. However, some experts argue that happiness is a synonym of life satisfaction. It can be concluded that someone will happy when they have been satisfaction to their life. Women in early adulthood have a tendency to focus on their appearance (self-focused). Therefore, they are more focus to take care of their self rather than being involved in social obligation. This current study was conducted to investigate whether body image had an influence or not to the happiness level especially on the women in early adulthood. The total subjects were 150 people. They applied body image scale which is developed by the researcher used body image aspects from cash and happiness scale based on the Subjective Happiness Scale and Satisfaction of Life. The result of this current study showed that there was an influence with r square score = 0,234. In conclusion, variable X (body image) was influence to variable Y (happiness) with 23, 4% of influence score.

The Role of Body Image in Internalizing Mental Health Problems in Spanish Adolescents: An Analysis According to Sex, Age, and Socioeconomic Status.

During adolescence there is a relatively high prevalence of weight problems and eating disorders. Furthermore, body image plays an important role in weight control and eating behaviors as well as in mental health. This study analyses the influence of body mass index, perception of being overweight, and body image satisfaction (BIS) on internalizing symptoms related to mental health in adolescents. In addition, sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), dieting, and physical activity are taken into consideration. This research is based on the international study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The sample consists of 4531 Spanish adolescents from 13 to 18 years old. Participants were selected through random multi-stage sampling stratified by conglomerates. Two instruments were employed: the HBSC questionnaire and the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, ASEBA). Results demonstrated that BIS –the emotional component related to body image– was the main predictor of adolescent internalizing symptoms. In addition, results show double-inequalities according to the interaction effects of sex, age, and SES. Likewise, interesting results are shown regarding how dieting behaviors to lose or gain weight/volume and physical activity relate to body image perception and satisfaction, as well as with internalizing symptoms. This study highlights important body image aspects relevant to intervention and prevention of internalized mental health problems in adolescence.

Measuring body image during pregnancy: psychometric properties and validity of a German translation of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale (BIPS-G)

BackgroundThis study aimed to provide a German translation of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale (BIPS) – a measure tailored to pregnancy-specific aspects of body image while being consistent to the multifaceted theoretical framework of body image – and to test its psychometric properties and validity.MethodsThe English-language original version of the BIPS was translated into German language using a forward-backward translation rationale. Face validity of the items was tested in cognitive interviews (n = 5). An online survey was conducted among 291 pregnant women. After conducting standard item analyses, factorial validity was tested using principal-axis factor analysis (PAF). Convergent and incremental validity with measures of body dissatisfaction (FFB), depression (EPDS), anxiety (GAD-7), self-esteem (RSE), and eating disorder psychopathology (EDE-Q) was tested by bivariate correlations and multiple linear hierarchical regression analyses.ResultsThe PFA revealed a 32 item and 6-factor solution resembling the dimensions preoccupation with appearance, dissatisfaction with strength-related aspects, dissatisfaction with body parts, dissatisfaction with complexion, prioritization of appearance over function, and concerns about sexual attractiveness. Internal consistency on a subscale level was good to excellent (.79 ≤ Cronbach’s α ≤ .91). Consistent with theoretical assumptions, we found significant positive correlations of BIPS-G subscales with depression, anxiety and eating disorder psychopathology and negative correlations of BIPS-G subscales with self-esteem. BIPS-G subscales substantially improved the prediction of depression, anxiety, self-esteem and eating disorder psychopathology over demographic factors and body dissatisfaction (.03 ≤ ΔR2 ≤ .15, all p-values < 0.05).ConclusionsThe German version of the BIPS appeared to be a reliable and valid measure which has the capacity to enhance future research on body image during pregnancy in German-speaking populations.

Influence of the fear of death on body image evaluation.

Background: Research on the consequences of fear of death often consists of classical investigations within the sphere of social psychology. However, the aspect of body image regarding this issue remains largely unexplored. Aim of the study: The goal of the conducted experiment was to examine the mechanisms reducing the fear of death. The respondents had two options to choose from: (1) increasing self-esteem in terms of physical attractiveness, or (2) lowering the rating of the body image presented in the photographs. Material and methods: The study was conducted using the following tests: (1) the Memory Test, developed by Łukaszewski and Buczny; (2) the Body-Esteem Scale (BE S), developed by Franzoi and Shields; (3) the UMACL Mood Adjective Checklist, developed by Mathews, Chamberlain, and Jones; and (4) the Body Shape Attractiveness Questionnaire. In this report, we present results of an analysis of 221 respondents (108 women and 113 men). Results: Death-related thoughts influence the perception of female body attractiveness. Respondents with awareness of mortality salience rated the attractiveness of body shape as lower than respondents from the control group. Conclusions: The present experiment confirmed the influence of fear of death on the evaluation of cultural and biological standards of female physical attractiveness, as well as, the hesitation of participants’ self-esteem and mood related to sex. The lack of critical evaluation of others and a positive self-evaluation effectively protects an individual against mood deterioration, and these effects were observed among men. However, these mechanisms do not apply to women, since women reacted critically to both body shapes in the photographs and their own bodies.

Gender and BMI Differences in Body Image Among College Freshmen

Research in the area of body image has shown that females have more dissatisfaction with their bodies than males, but that males also have concerns with some aspects of body image. Instructors in wellness courses designed for college freshmen have the opportunity to address these challenges. PURPOSE: to determine which components of body image display gender differences, and whether gender differences in certain aspects of body image are related to BMI. METHODS: The Body Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to students in a freshman Wellness course as a part of their physical fitness assessment which included BMI (N=130 F, 50 M). Data were analyzed with a 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA to evaluate both effects of BMI and Gender and their interactions. All nine subscales of the BSIQ were included: Overall Appearance Evaluation (OAE), Fatness Evaluation (FE), Health/Fitness Evaluation (HFE), Health/Fitness Influence (HFI), Attention to Grooming (AG), Social Dependence (SD), Height Dissatisfaction (HD), Negative Affect (NA), and Investment in Ideals (II). For the analysis, BMI values <25.0 kg/m2 were classified as “normal” (NW); values ≥25 kg/m2 were categorized as “overweight” (OW). RESULTS: In SD, there was a significant main effect for gender, with females scoring higher in the factor of social dependence (p=.0138). There was a main effect for gender in HD, with males being more dissatisfied with their height than females (p=.0103). An interaction existed between gender and BMI for height dissatisfaction, with a greater gender disparity in HD in normal weight students (M>F) than in OW students, where differences almost disappeared. The main effect for gender in FE indicated that females view themselves as fatter than males (p=.0015); not surprisingly, there was also a main effect in FE for BMI (p<.0001; OW>Nor). A main effect for BMI existed in OAE (p<.0001; Nor>OW); II (p=.0373; Nor>OW); HFE (p<.0001; Nor>OW); and NA (p=.0003, OW>Nor). A gender-BMI interaction existed in HFI (p=.0098) indicating that OW males felt that health and fitness influenced feelings about their bodies more so than OW females; in Nor students, gender differences were very small. CONCLUSION: The belief that females have more body image concerns than males is valid in some components of body image, and BMI attenuates some gender differences.

Effects of a Weight Management Intervention on Holiday Weight Change And Body Image in Inactive Overweight Midlife Postmenopausal Women

INTRODUCTION: The holiday season is linked to weight gain which has also been related to distress about self-attitudinal aspects of body image (BI) inclusive of physical appearance and perceptions about physical fitness and health. The impact of a weight management intervention on holiday weight change and BI in midlife females has not been investigated. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of an 11-week weight management intervention on holiday weight change and BI in inactive overweight postmenopausal women. METHODS: Females (n=18; 54.7±3.9 yrs; BMI=30.5±4.5 kg/m2) completed an 11-week weight management program (supervised exercise with nutrition education) with three phases: 1) Pre-Holiday (PreH; 5 weeks), 2) Holiday Period (HP; Thanksgiving 2017 through New Year’s Day 2018; unsupervised social media support only), and 3) Post-Holiday (PostH; 6-weeks). Weight and BI [Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire subscales] were assessed at four times: 1) Baseline 1 (B1); 2) Follow-up 1 (F1; post PreH); 3) Baseline 2 (B2; post HP, baseline for PostH); and 4) Follow-up 2 (F2; final measure after PostH). Data analysis utilized one-way repeated measures ANOVAs and Pearson’s correlations. RESULTS: Weight change was highly variable from B1 to F2 (range=-6.0 to 5.1 kg) although no significant changes occurred (B1=79.5±12.7 kg; F1=79.2±12.4 kg; B2=79.9 ±12.8 kg; F2=79.9±12.4 kg; p=.33, ESB1-F2=.03). Contrarily, Appearance Evaluation (B1=2.4±0.6, F1=2.5±0.8, B2=2.6±0.9, F2=2.7±0.8; p=.01; p=.004; ESB1-F2=.52), Fitness Orientation (B1=2.7±.6; F1=3.0±.7; B2=2.9±.5; F2=3.0±.7; p=.013; ESB1-F2=.43), and Health Orientation (B1=3.1±.7; F1=3.4±.6; B2=3.4±.6; F2=3.5±.6; p &lt; .001; ESB1-F2=.65), increased. No changes in the subscales of Body Areas Satisfaction, Overweight Preoccupation and Self-Classified Weight subscales were detected (all p ≥ .05). Change in weight was related to change in both Fitness and Health Orientation (B1 to F2; r=-.50; p=.03; and r=-.54; p=.02; respectively), but it was not related to changes in Appearance Evaluation (r=-.22, p=.37). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary pilot study suggests that the 11-week weight management intervention attenuated holiday weight gain while positively influencing body image in overweight midlife females.

Differences in the Body Images of Blind and Sighted Women

Abstract. This study addresses aspects of body image in blind versus seeing women. Eighty-nine congenitally blinded and 153 sighted women completed questionnaires to demographic, health-relevant data, and body image. The two groups did not differ significantly with regard to demographic and health-relevant data. However, significantly more women have children among the sighted group. All women generally presented as clinically inconspicuous in all factors of the body image. A group comparison does not reveal differences with regard to physical contact, vitality, and self-exaltation. However, a significantly lower sexual fulfillment among the blind persons in comparison to the seeing persons, but a significantly higher self-acceptance, is demonstrated. The results are discussed in the context of the previous scarce findings with regard to body image disorders in blind women and finally questioned whether they could benefit the therapy of body scheme disorders in seeing women.

Keloid negatively affects body image

Background/ObjectivesKeloid is a healing disorder that occurs exclusively in humans. This pathology is considered a benign cicatricial neoplasm, whose physiopathogenesis has not yet completely clarified. Its disfiguring appearance often could potentially cause a disturbance in the patient regarding his/her body image. The objective is to evaluate the impact of keloid on body image. Methods61 patients with keloid in socially exposed regions of the body were included. The participants were submitted to clinical evaluation, composed of anamnesis and physical examination, and answered two questionnaires: the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale (BDSS) questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale – Unifesp/EPM. ResultsForty percent of the patients had negative aspects of body image (BDSS score≥6). The scores of these patients on the Rosenberg Scale reached an average of 10.5 (p<0.03). ConclusionsThe presence of a keloid negatively affects body image.

Body image is more negative in patients with chronic low back pain than in patients with subacute low back pain and healthy controls.

Background and aims Body image as an increasing research field has been integrated into pain research within the last years. However, research on cognitive-affective dimensions of body image dependent on different pain groups like acute/subacute and chronic pain patients, and healthy controls is still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore three dimensions of body image, namely self-acceptance, physical efficacy, and health in patients with low back pain and healthy controls. The present study is the first to distinguish between patients with low back pain in different stages of pain with regard to the concept of body image. In a second step we investigated the differences in exercise frequency between the three groups. Methods Seventy seven patients (53.2% female) suffering from low back pain and 57 healthy controls (42.1% female) filled in a battery of questionnaires in terms of body image, pain parameters and exercise frequency. Results Main results indicate first that patients suffering from chronic low back pain revealed a more negative body image in all three body image-dimensions than healthy controls. Second, patients suffering from subacute pain revealed a more negative body image of physical efficacy compared to the healthy controls. Conclusions Our results suggest that body image is relevant for the treatment of low back pain, because patients suffering from low back pain revealed a more negative body image than healthy controls. Implications To investigate the cognitive-affective dimensions of body image in different patient groups suffering from low back pain seems to be an important aspect for future research to improve therapy options and prevention of low back pain. Future research should also focus on improvements or on positive aspects of body image in patients with low back pain.

The relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for predicting onset of disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms over 15 years.

The aim of this study was to examine the relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation, and preoccupation with body weight and shape in predicting increases in disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms from adolescence through to early adulthood. The study involved 1,830 participants (60% female) who completed the Project EAT survey during adolescence (mean age = 14.90 years, SD = 1.65 years) and again, 15 years later, in early adulthood. Participants provided assessments of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape, as well as disordered eating and depressive symptoms at both time points. The three aspects of body image had distinct patterns of association with the outcomes both concurrently and longitudinally. Dissatisfaction predicted depressive symptoms as well as a wide range of disordered eating outcomes, including dieting, unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs), and binge eating, particularly in female participants. Preoccupation was associated with all of these disordered eating behaviors (but not with depressive symptoms) and was notably the strongest predictor of dieting and UWCBs in female participants. Overvaluation was associated with both disordered eating and depressive symptoms, although typically was a less potent predictor of difficulties than the other aspects of body image. Dissatisfaction, overvaluation, and preoccupation are related but make distinct contributions to clinically significant outcomes. Models of eating disorders should move beyond focusing exclusively on dissatisfaction or overvaluation toward a broader conceptualisation of body image. Findings from this study particularly suggest the importance of considering preoccupation with weight and shape.

A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study of Multidimensional Body Image in Adolescents and Adults with Gender Dysphoria Before and After Transition-Related Medical Interventions.

Persistent feelings of gender dysphoria (GD) are accompanied by distress and body dissatisfaction in most clinically referred adolescents and adults. Transition-related medical interventions (e.g., puberty suppression, hormones, or surgery) may alleviate body dissatisfaction. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare multidimensional body image across clinically referred adolescents and adults undergoing different transition-related medical interventions. Two clinical samples of adolescents (n = 82) and adults (n = 120) referred to specialized departments of four different transgender health services in Germany participated in the study. In total, 202 individuals from the female-to-male (FtM individuals) and male-to-female (MtF individuals) spectrum aged 14-74years were included at different stages of their transition. Four scales assessing multidimensional aspects of body image (measured by the Body Image Assessment Questionnaire, FBeK) were compared across three groups: sample, gender, and medical interventions (while controlling for age and treatment duration). The results indicated less favorable body image scores compared with the norm in both adolescents and adults with GD. Individuals who had undergone transition-related medical interventions presented a significantly better body image on two of the four scales. Differences according to gender and age were also present. These findings suggest that medical interventions, especially gender-affirming hormones and surgery, are generally beneficial to the body image in individuals with GD. However, not all of the less favorable outcomes in multidimensional body image were positively influenced by the treatment conditions and may thus benefit from additional integrative counseling before and during transition.

More than my RA: A randomized trial investigating body image improvement among women with rheumatoid arthritis using a functionality-focused intervention program.

Negative body image is prevalent in women with rheumatoid arthritis and can affect other areas of well-being. Patients have expressed desire for body image to be addressed in treatment. Yet, it is not routinely addressed and no experimental intervention research has been conducted, until now. This randomized trial evaluated a brief online body image intervention for women with rheumatoid arthritis, with a focus on body functionality (everything the body is capable of doing) as the primary technique. Women with rheumatoid arthritis and who wanted to feel better about their body (N = 84; Mage = 44.82) were randomized to the Expand Your Horizon intervention (comprising 3 writing exercises focusing on body functionality) or a waitlist control group. Primary outcomes concerned body image and secondary outcomes related to rheumatoid arthritis; these outcomes were assessed at pretest, posttest, and at 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Multilevel modeling analyses showed that, relative to control, participants in the intervention experienced improvements in various aspects of body image (functionality appreciation, body appreciation, body satisfaction, body-self alienation) and decreases in depression, with effects persisting at 1-week and 1-month follow-up. No intervention effects were found for body-self harmony, rheumatoid arthritis-specific disability, pain-related disability, and anxiety. Focusing on body functionality can improve body image and reduce depression in women with rheumatoid arthritis. The intervention technique is easy and affordable to deliver and could be a fruitful addition to extant treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. (PsycINFO Database Record