Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire Research Articles

Body Image Avoidance, Fear of Intimacy, and Social Avoidance Among Young Adults

The study aimed to inspect the relationship between body image avoidance, fear of intimacy and social avoidance among young adults. The sample population included 200 participants (100 males, 100 females) aged between 18 to 25 years. Scales utilised for the study included the body image avoidance questionnaire (Rosen et al., 1991), fear of intimacy scale (Carol J. Descutner & Mark H. Thelen. 1991), and the social avoidance and distress scale (Watson, D. & Friend, R. 1969). Statistical analysis included Spearman correlation, linear regression and Mann Whitney U test. The results suggested a strong correlation of body image avoidance with fear of intimacy (p﹤0.05) and social avoidance (p﹤0.05). Regression analysis revealed strong influence of body image avoidance on fear of intimacy (p﹤0.05) and social avoidance (p﹤0.05). Gender difference study’s findings revealed there was a significant difference in body image avoidance but not in fear of intimacy and social avoidance. Mean values predicted a higher body image avoidance and fear of intimacy level among men when compared to women. Whereas social avoidance is found to be higher among women than in men.

Body image perceptions and avoidance behaviours among a Moroccan group of adolescents

Background Adolescents are a vulnerable group to body dissatisfaction that causes unhealthy attitudes and behaviours. It has been shown that many factors affect body image dissatisfaction. Aim To describe body image size perception, degree of body dissatisfaction, avoidance behaviours, and their relationship with gender, age, and weight status, and to assess the relationship between body dissatisfaction and avoidance behaviours among a group of Moroccan adolescents. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional survey was comprised of a sample of 487 adolescents. Stunkard’s Figure Rating Scale was used to assess perceptions of current and ideal body image and body dissatisfaction. Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire was employed to assess avoidance behaviours. Results Body dissatisfaction was found to be strongly associated with weight status in both male and female adolescents. Avoidance behaviours were positively associated with gender, age, weight status, and body dissatisfaction. Indeed, avoidance behaviours were frequently reported among females, young adolescents, those with high BMI z-score, and those seeking to lose weight. Adolescents tended to behave under the influence of two factors: clothing and weighing-grooming. Conclusion Weight status is an important factor that deeply impacts adolescent body dissatisfaction. Adolescents resort to behaviour avoidance and physical appearance control to cope with body dissatisfaction.

The Associations Between the Anorexic Readiness Syndrome, Familism, and Body Image Among Physically Active Girls.

Introduction: Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is a construct of prophylactic importance, useful in the selection of people showing a tendency to use restrictive diets and increased concentration on the body. The aim of the research was to verify the significance of the type of physical activity, body perception and familism for the development of ARS.Material and Method: The research was carried out in the first half of 2021on a sample of 163 girls. It consisted of: (1) physically inactive girls (n = 48), (2) physically active girls in disciplines other than aesthetic (n = 69), (3) girls engaged in aesthetic physical activity (n = 46). The study used: Anorexic Readiness Syndrome Questionnaire (ARS-12), Familism Scale (FS) and Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ).Results: The highest average ARS score was recorded in the group of girls engaged in aesthetic activity. A significant difference in the severity of ARS occurs between people who do not engage in activity and those who practice aesthetic activity. The severity of ARS rises as the difference between real and ideal body weight increases. People active in aesthetic disciplines who obtained a high score on the Respect scale (FS subscale) have a lower ARS score than those physically active in other disciplines who obtained low scores on the Respect scale. The higher the score on the Material success and achievement scale (FS), the greater the ARS intensity in all subgroups. What is much more important in shaping ARS is the perception of your body. The focus on eating and body weight and Clothing and appearance (BIAQ subscales) are relevant to the ARS and moderate the relationship between Material success (FS subscale) and anorexic readiness.Conclusions: People engaging in aesthetic physical activity are more likely to suffer from ARS. The family can certainly prevent a child from developing anorexic readiness by shaping a sense of community and family identity, a clear division of roles, limiting the importance of materialism and competition in raising children. The prevention of ARS and eating disorders should also focus on strengthening the realistic assessment of body parameters and their acceptance, as well as promoting strategies for healthy weight control.

Body image and self-esteem in teenagers

The image of the body is the dynamic perception of the body as it looks, feels, and moves. It is formed by perception, emotions, and physical sensations and is not static, but can change in terms of mood and physical ways. In terms of self-esteem, which is a positive and negative orientation towards itself, a general assessment of values or qualities. His study is analyzing the relationship between self-esteem levels in relation to perceptions adolescents have of body image. The study was conducted as a champion of 120 students in Maminas high school. The selection of the champion was in a casual way. The ages of the students ranged from the age 13 to the age 18. The measuring instruments used for this study are 2 questionnaires. The body image avoidance questionnaire [Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ)], consists of 19 questions about image avoidance for the body. The second questionnaire is that of self-esteem (SES, Rosenberg, 1965), which was used to measure the degree of self-esteem. In line with the study’s objectives, results showed that there is an important link between the image of the body and the level of self-worth in adolescents and that there are significant gender differences in the image of the body in adolescents. Four were hypotheses raised in this study, whereof these hypotheses, 3 were proven and only one of the hypotheses collapsed. The results achieved were supported by similar field studies.

The Effect of Perceived Optimism on Body Image of Indian Young Adults

Optimism is associated with positive body image as it exerts it’s influence on positive body image through an expectancy judgment about the likelihood of acquiring a feared fat self. The study aims to understand and determine how individuals’ perceived optimism affects body image among young adults. The quantitative study uses an Ex Post Facto Correlational Design conducted on Indian young adults between 18-40 years old. The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) and the Positivity Scale were administered to the 508 participants through an online survey format. The quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in measuring the association between perceived optimism and body image. The study findings imply sufficient evidence to conclude a linear relationship between perceived optimism and body image because the correlation coefficient is significantly different from 0. The body image avoidance is weakly but negatively correlated with perceived optimism amongst the participants. This study aids and contributes to the repertoire of body image and positive psychology research. It also helps explore individual differences in the orbits of perceived optimism and body image as lockdown procedures helped alleviate the understanding of the complete psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

P–487 Couples undergoing first level assisted reproductive techniques: An Actor-Partner interdependence model of dyadic adjustment, psychological symptoms, alexithymia and romantic attachment on body-image avoidance

Abstract Study question The study aims to assess the commonalities and interdependence of couples undergoing first-level Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) as regards body-image avoidance referred to body-image dissatisfaction. Summary answer Partners’ functioning seem specular yet not interdependent, as not showing a couple-as-a-unit modality of functioning. Body-image avoidance is only influenced by intra-personal variables. What is known already: Stressful bodily emotions and body perception related to infertility and ART are critical aspects for people desiring having children. Infertility undermines women’s self-esteem and body-image, damaging their self-identity as women, while in males infertility associates with body dissatisfaction referring to perceived reduced physical fitness and personal failure, thus undermining their body virility. For infertile women, body-image dissatisfaction associates with reduced marital adjustment, and vice-versa; yet no study has considered how males body-image dissatisfaction associates with marital satisfaction. Nonetheless, couples should be considered as a unit, considering that infertile couples’ adjustment is influenced by their own, and their partners’, perceived stress. Study design, size, duration The study follows a cross-sectional design and is part of an ongoing transversal and longitudinal project, started in 2012, investigating the well-being of couples undergoing ART. For the present study only a minority of the existing data were considered, thus only including couples at the first level of ART with the intent of investigating couples’ commonalities and interdependence before treatments pervasiveness increases. Participants/materials, setting, methods Minimum N = 79 couples needed to be considered according to Power analysis results. N = 118 couples aged 24 to 46 years (women Mage=34.92, SD = 3.98; men Mage=37.45, SD = 5.25) were included, and declaring trying to get pregnant from 1 to 8 years (M = 3.18; SD = 1.99) and to never had children, although 22.9% of women had at least an abortion. Participants completed the Body-Image Avoidance Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Symptom Checklist–90-Revised and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised. Main results and the role of chance The sample presents non-clinical levels of functioning referring to their psychological symptoms, alexithymia and body-image avoidance. Multivariate rank tests show that females report significantly higher levels of body-image avoidance (stat=–5.73; adj.p=.001), psychological symptoms (stat=–4.58; adj.p=.001) and romantic anxious attachment (stat=–3.33; adj.p=.005). These differences were confirmed also after applying multiplicity control. Moreover, bi-variate Pearson’s r correlations show an association among partners’ dyadic adjustment (r=.293; p<.001), albeit their overall level of dyadic adjustment is low. Significant correlations among partners also emerged as regards psychological symptoms (r=.258; p<.001) and alexithymia (r=.16; p=.05). The couple-effect, thus considering the couple as the unit of analysis, was modeled through an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. For both partners, dyadic adjustment’s actor-effect associates with body-image avoidance (women: β = 0.133, p=.026; man: β = 0.133, p=.026). Furthermore, for both men and women, psychological symptoms’ actor-effect associate to body-image avoidance (women: β = 0.467, p<.00; men: β = 0.499, p=.001). Comparing the level of influence of actor and partner effects among partners, the psychological symptoms’ actor effect results significantly more influential than the partner-effect (women: Δ = 0.378, p=.015; men: Δ = 0.587, p=.001). Only for males, alexithymia’s actor effect is significant (β = 0.499; p=.001). Limitations, reasons for caution Results should be considered in light of some limitations. Specifically, the cross-sectional study design, lack of a control group with no infertility issues, the use of self-report measures, homogeneity among couples and the sample small sample size (although sample size was appropriate to retain a power of at least .8). Wider implications of the findings: Results support the differentiation of gender-specific psychosocial interventions along the ART path, preventing and mitigating the negative impact of infertility and ART on body-image dissatisfaction and avoidance and on the couples’ well-being. Trial registration number Not applicable

BODY IMAGE AVOIDANCE QUESTIONNAIRE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS: A STUDY OF A GROUP OF MOROCCAN ADOLESCENTS

Objectives. The aim of this study is to assess physical appearance behavior avoidance among a group of Moroccan adolescents and to identify the associated factors. Material and methods. The data were gathered from a cross-sectional study conducted on 487 adolescents (223 boys and 264 girls), with the average age of 14.6 years. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and satisfaction of their body weight and height were considered in this study. Body satisfaction was evaluated by two questions: "Are you satisfied with your body weight?" and "are you satisfied with your body height?". The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) test was used to assess the adopted behaviors. Results. The average score on the BIAQ test was 24.4. According to the different factors of the BIAQ test, the factors "clothing", "grooming and weighing", and "eating restraint", were more noticed among adolescents. The results showed that behavioral avoidance was associated with gender, age, BMI, and body dissatisfaction. It was females, the youngest group of adolescents, overweight, and those dissatisfied with their body weight or height who had the highest scores. This reflects the fact that adolescents resort to physical appearance behavior avoidance or control including practices such as dressing, grooming, and weighing. Conclusions. It is recommended by health professionals to enhance awareness among adolescents about the risks of adopting such behaviors on their physical and mental health, to correct the narrow and unrealistic standards of physical appearance, and to encourage healthy behaviors. Keywords: body image, behavior avoidance, adolescents, Marrakesh, Morocco.

Análisis psicométrico del cuestionario de evitación de la imagen corporal en una muestra no clínica de adolescentes

Medwave es una revista electrónica revisada por pares y de acceso gratuito, que contiene artículos originales de revisión sobre determinantes clínicos, sociales, políticos y económicos en salud, y de investigación en el ámbito clínico y biomédico. Medwave is an online-only, peer-reviewed and open Access biomedical general journal with original review articles con clinical, social, political and economic determinants of health, and research articles on clinical and biomedical aspects.

Body shape in inpatients with severe anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe mental disorder. Body shape disturbances are key in the development and maintenance of AN. Only few data are available on inpatients with life-threatening AN. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if body shape difficulties-with a focus on both body checking and avoidance-could improve during hospitalization in both subtypes of AN and to ascertain eventual associations between body shape concerns upon admission and clinical outcome. Upon hospital admission and end of treatment (EOT), 139 inpatients with AN completed Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ), and Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) in addition to measures of eating and general psychopathology. Patients with severe AN reported improved BSQ and BIAQ scores at EOT while BCQ did not significantly change. Diagnostic subtypes differed only in baseline BSQ scores and had an impact on the improvement in BSQ at EOT. Baseline BCQ was associated with patients' clinical improvement at EOT, even after controlling for age, duration of illness, Body Mass Index, depression, and anxiety scores. Data on body shape concerns and their trajectory during hospitalization for severe AN are lacking; our findings provide support to the effectiveness of hospitalization in improving body shape concerns and body avoidance, but not body checking. Also, baseline body shape concerns (especially body checking) impacted on clinical improvement. Future research is needed to identify treatments that could further improve the therapeutic approach to severe patients of AN in the acute setting.

Treating eating disorders in the real world — MaiStep: A skill-based universal prevention for schools

Eating disorders are difficult to treat and often associated with morbidity and mortality. Universal prevention approaches are increasingly focusing on enhancing skills, but few eating disorder programs are available for under-15-year-olds. This study aimed to develop and examine a school-based universal prevention program (‘MaiStep’) for adolescent boys and girls.A three-arm randomized controlled trial with baseline, post-intervention and 12-month follow-up was conducted with 1654 adolescents (M = 13.35, SD 0.76). ‘MaiStep’ was delivered by psychologists in the first intervention group (IG1) and teachers in the second intervention group (IG2), and compared to an active control group (ACG). Primary outcomes were eating disorder-related risk factors measured with scales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (e.g. ‘drive for thinness’, ‘interoceptive awareness’), cognitions and affect related to the body (Body Shape Questionnaire, BSQ-8), and behaviors (Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, BIAQ). The total sample (N1) was divided into a healthy subsample (N2) and a sample fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for a subthreshold eating disorder (N3) measured with the self-report Structured Inventory for Anorexic and Bulimic Syndromes (SIAB-S).Significant improvements in ‘interoceptive awareness’ (EDI-2) and lower BIAQ scores emerged in N1 at post-intervention and at 12-month follow-up (F(4; 3038) = 3.068, p = .016, ηpart2 = 0.004 and F(4; 2900) = 2.993, p = .018, ηpart2 = 0.004) and in N2 at post-intervention and at 12-month follow-up (F(4; 2812) = 3.147, p = .014, ηpart2 = 0.004 and F(4; 2684) = 3.674, p = .005, ηpart2 = 0.005). The healthy subsample N2 additionally showed significantly lower scores on ‘drive for thinness’ (EDI-2) and on the BSQ-8c at post-intervention (F(2; 1446) = 3.091, p = .046, ηpart2 = 0.004 and F(2; 1453) = 3.505, p = .030, ηpart2 = 0.005) but not at 12-month follow-up. No significant results emerged for N3.The positive findings of improved ‘interoceptive awareness’ (EDI-2) and reduced body image avoidance (BIAQ) indicate that broad disseminated universal prevention under the age of 15 is possible.Trial registration MaiStep is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00005050).

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ).

The main objective of this study was to analyse the factor structure and psychometric properties of a Spanish validation of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) in a community sample of adolescents. A total of 4283 people (55.9% girls, aged 12-18) participated. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated four first-order factors related to a second-order factor including the total BIAQ score, with excellent fit and invariance across sex. The total internal consistency of the questionnaire was adequate, although two factors showed low reliability. Strong relationships were found with scales evaluating preoccupation with weight and dysmorphic concerns, and moderate correlations with dissatisfaction and investment in appearance. It was found that 24.06% of adolescents with body image disturbance could be at risk of developing a body image disorder. The results of this study support the use of the Spanish translation of the BIAQ for assessing behavioural characteristic of body image disturbance. V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Food-related behaviours among individuals with overweight/obesity and normal body weight

BackgroundEmotional eating is a factor associated with a negative body image and other problematic eating behaviours. In this context little is known about differences between individuals with overweight and obesity and those with normal body weight. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the role of emotional eating in the relationship between the desire to consume chocolate and the wish to avoid social situations related to food and body exposures. For this purpose, we tested the direct, indirect and buffer effects. In addition, we used moderated mediation by introducing snacking into the model.MethodsThe study included 123 outpatients with excessive body weight and 123 individuals with normal weight. The mean of body mass index (BMI) in the first group was 30.19 kg/m2 (SD = 4.37) and, in the second, it was 23.02 kg/m2 (SD = 1.20). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Attitudes to Chocolate Questionnaire and the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire were used.ResultsResults show that in all individuals, the greater emotional eating is, the greater the desire for chocolate consumption and avoidance of social situations related to food and body exposures are. In addition, the desire for chocolate consumption are positively associated with avoidance of social situations related to food and body exposures in both group. Among individuals with excessive and normal body weight, emotional eating is a significant mediator in the relationship between desire for chocolate consumption and avoidance of social situations related to food and body exposures. However, it does not moderate the relationship between these variables. Outcomes show that there is a significant model of moderated mediation of the link between social situation–avoidance related to food and body exposure and the desire to consume chocolate through emotional eating, moderated by snacking among individuals with normal body weight. A similar effect has not been discovered in the group with excessive body weight.ConclusionThe presented results show that among people with varied BMI categories, emotional eating is connected to craving chocolate and avoidance of social situations related to food and body exposure that plays only the role of mediation. In addition, snacking is crucial for this relationship among the group with normal body weight.

Diferencias de sexo en la imagen corporal de los adolescentes de Huelva atendiendo a su índice de masa corporal

El objetivo principal de este estudio es comprobar las diferencias en la percepción de la imagen corporal (en adelante IC) de los adolescentes de Huelva atendiendo a su índice de masa corporal (en adelante IMC). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 226 estudiantes, con edades comprendidas entre 12 y 18 años (M= 13,94; DT= 1,41). La distribución por sexo fue de 54,9% de chicos (n= 124) y 45,1% de chicas (n= 102). Los instrumentos que se utilizaron para evaluar los diferentes componentes de la IC fueron: 1) Para evaluar el componente perceptual se utilizó el método de estimación corporal global de Gardner, Stark, Jackson y Friedman (1999), adaptado al español por Rodríguez, Beato, Rodríguez y Martínez (2003). 2) Para evaluar el componente subjetivo se utilizó la subescala de insatisfacción corporal del Eating Disorders Inventory de Garner, Polivy y Olmstead (1983), adaptado a la población española por Garner (1998). 3) Para evaluar el componente conductual se utilizó el Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ), de Rosen, Salzberg, Srebnik y Went (1991). A medida que aumenta el IMC aumenta el grado de insatisfacción, la obsesión por la delgadez, la puntuación total del BIAQ y la restricción de comida tanto en chicos como en chicas. Asimismo, a medida que aumenta el IMC desciende la bulimia de los chicos y aumenta la tendencia a pesarse y acicalarse de las chicas. Más de la mitad de chicos y chicas independientemente de la categoría del IMC presentan insatisfacción corporal con el deseo de perder peso.

Short-term changes in affective, behavioral, and cognitive components of body image after bariatric surgery

BackgroundMany bariatric surgery candidates report body image concerns before surgery. Research has reported post-surgical improvements in body satisfaction, which may be associated with weight loss. However, research has failed to comprehensively examine changes in affective, behavioral, and cognitive body image. ObjectivesThis research examined (1) short-term changes in affective, behavioral, and cognitive components of body image from pre-surgery to 1- and 6-months after bariatric surgery, and (2) the association between percent weight loss and these changes. SettingParticipants were recruited from a private hospital in the midwestern United States. MethodsEighty-eight females (original N = 123; lost to follow-up: n = 15 at 1-month and n = 20 at 6-months post-surgery) completed a questionnaire battery, including the Body Attitudes Questionnaire, Body Checking Questionnaire, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, and Body Shape Questionnaire, and weights were obtained from patients’ medical records before and at 1- and 6-months post-surgery. ResultsResults indicated significant decreases in body dissatisfaction, feelings of fatness, and body image avoidance at 1- and 6-months after bariatric surgery, with the greatest magnitude of change occurring for body image avoidance. Change in feelings of fatness was significantly correlated with percent weight loss at 6-months, but not 1-month, post-surgery. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of examining short-term changes in body image from a multidimensional perspective in the effort to improve postsurgical outcomes. Unique contributions include the findings regarding the behavioral component of body image, as body image avoidance emerges as a particularly salient concern that changes over time among bariatric surgery candidates.

Relationship between body image and somatotype profile in young women

This study aimed to investigate associations among body dissatisfaction, behaviors, feelings, and beliefs related to the body - and somatotypical profile. The sample included 142 undergraduate female students (21.81 ± 3 years) who underwent to assessment of Body Mass Index and somatotype, according to the World Health Organization and Heath-Carter protocols, respectively. To assess body image the following instruments were applied: Body Shape Questionnaire, Body Attitudes Questionnaire, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale, Self-Subject Silhouettes To the analysis data we proceeded to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA one-way). As the main result, we find that body dissatisfaction, body avoidance and negative attitudes about appearance components are linked to each other and they are influenced by body profiles with mesomorphic and endomorphic predominance. We conclude that the somatotype profile can be an important predictor of changes in body image and is indicated for tracking risk groups.

[Assessment of Body-Related Avoidance Behaviour: Validation of the German Version of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) in Adolescents with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa and Healthy Controls].

Body image avoidance is conceptualised as a behavioural manifestation of body image disturbance, and describes efforts to avoid confrontation with one's own body. While studies have provided hints that body image avoidance in adulthood contributes to the development and maintenance of eating disorders, so far, there are no corresponding findings for adolescence. The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) is the most widely used international questionnaire for measuring body-related avoidance behaviour. As its German version has only been validated in an adult sample, the aim of the present study is to statistically test the questionnaire in adolescents with eating disorders. In total, N=127 female adolescents, including n=57 with Anorexia Nervosa, n=24 with Bulimia Nervosa, and n=46 healthy controls, answered the BIAQ as well as various other instruments for assessing body image disturbance and eating disorder symptoms. The factor structure assumed for the original English version, comprising the higher-order factor "body-related avoidance behaviour" and the 4 subfactors "clothing", "social activities", "eating restraint" and "grooming and weighing", was confirmed by a confirmatory factor analysis. With the exception of the scale "grooming and weighing", all scales showed mostly acceptable internal consistencies, test-retest reliability, differential validity and construct validity. Due to their satisfying psychometric properties, the use of the BIAQ scales "clothing", "social activities" and "eating restraint" can be recommended in research and practice for adolescence.

The Polish version of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire: an exploratory structural equation modeling approach.

The objective of the study was to validate a Polish version of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ). The study included 115 participants with no diagnosis (control group) (Mage=20.53, SD=1.80) on which we have based factor analyses, 48 participants diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (Mage=18.69, SD=3.52) and 39 participants diagnosed with bulimia nervosa (Mage=22.28, SD=3.80). In the current study, we have run confirmatory factor analysis; however, the analysis did not fit the data (CFI=0.81, RMSEA=0.09). Three-factor solution (number of factors were chosen basing on parallel analysis and MAP) was assessed using exploratory structural equation modeling approach (extraction: Maximum Likelihood; rotation: Geomin) which appeared to fit the data well (CFI=0.90, RMSEA=0.07). Validation with the clinical sample was performed using multi-group ESEM. Since the models achieved only configural level of invariance, we have examined the structure of clinical group with next ESEM model (CFI=0.95, RMSEA=0.05). To evaluate internal consistency, we have employed Omega (ω) and Cronbach's α with bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The first factor (food and weight preoccupation) was 0.79 (95% CI=0.74-0.83), for second factor (social activities) was 0.86 (95% CI=0.81-0.90), and for third factor (clothing) was 0.84 (95% CI=0.79-0.87). Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Body Attitude Test scores. The results have shown that the Polish version of the BIAQ fulfilled basic psychometric criteria and may be used for evaluation of body image avoidance behaviors among Polish women.

Body checking and avoidance in low weight and weight restored individuals with anorexia nervosa and non-clinical females

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is central to the development, maintenance and relapse of anorexia nervosa (AN). BD has been conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct incorporating behaviours, cognitions and affect, yet little is known about the impact of weight and disordered eating on these aspects. 56 ‘below DSM-IV weight criteria for AN’ (<BMI 17.5kg/m2) and 44 ‘above DSM-IV weight criteria for AN’ (>BMI 17.5kg/m2) individuals currently receiving treatment for an eating disorder, and 60 non-eating disordered females completed the Body Checking Scale, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire and the Body Image Anxiety Questionnaire. As expected, females diagnosed with AN showed significantly more behavioural and affective body dissatisfaction than the control group. Patients at lower weights showed significantly more avoidance behaviours and less body image anxiety than those with anorexia at higher weights. No difference was seen in checking behaviours between these groups. Weight based differences in avoidance behaviours continued to exist even when the effects of anxiety were controlled for. Affective and behavioural aspects of BD should be considered in clinical practice at all stages of treatment.

Body checking and body image avoidance: Construct validity and norms for college women

The current study explored the prevalence of body checking and body image avoidance behaviors in a large sample of undergraduate women (N=1011). The factor structures of two relevant measures, the Body Checking Questionnaire and the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, were compared with factor structures proposed by the development studies. Subscales are described, and the influence of race on responses examined. Results suggest these scales are valid in White and African American samples with a modified factor structure. Findings can inform clinical and research use of these measures, although additional experimental research is needed.

Ten Session Body Image Therapy: Efficacy of a Manualised Body Image Therapy

To determine the efficacy of 10 session body image therapy (BAT-10) in the treatment of anorexia nervosa with adherence to the methodological guidance for complex interventions. Fifty-five adult inpatients with anorexia nervosa at two national centres received the group-based manualised body-image therapy (BAT-10). BAT-10 was refined, developed and manualised over two decades, by using the mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy, including mirror exposure. Outcomes were evaluated using Body Checking Questionnaire, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale, Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Eating Disorders. Participant experience was evaluated qualitatively by an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Ten session body image therapy achieved highly statistically significant changes in body checking, body avoidance and anxiety, as well as shape-concern and weight-concern, without the between-therapist effects. The quality of life improved globally but not in relation to the psychological subcategory. Ten session body image therapy delivers behavioural and cognitive improvements in body image in the short-term, suggesting an effective, feasible and acceptable manual-based therapy.