Body Satisfaction Research Articles

Impact of Cyberbullying on Academic Performance and Psychosocial Well-Being of Italian Students.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 502 students from six schools in different Italian regions, using the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIPQ) to assess cyberbullying, in addition to collecting data on satisfaction, friends, and academic performance. Chi-square and ANOVA analyses were conducted to identify significant associations between the variables. The analyses showed significant associations between cyberbullying and gender and in psychosocial well-being, with significant differences in personal satisfaction and body satisfaction. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in academic performance or in the ability to make new friends, although victims showed a significantly lower ability to make new friends compared to those who were neither victims nor aggressors. Cyberbullying has a significant impact on students' psychosocial well-being, especially on personal satisfaction and school happiness, making it essential to implement interventions that promote safe school environments to mitigate these negative effects.

The ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and momentary food addiction symptoms.

This study assessed the ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0) with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and explored the internal consistency and convergent validity of a momentary food addiction scale. Adults (N = 49) who met criteria for binge-eating disorder and/or food addiction (age = 34.9 ± 12.1 years; 77.1% cisgender female; 55.1% non-Hispanic White) completed online questionnaires and a 10-day EMA protocol. Analyses examined (a) associations between the YFAS 2.0 and EMA-measured variables corresponding to food addiction criteria, (b) reliability of a momentary food addiction scale (EMA-FA), and (c) concurrent associations between EMA-FA and EMA-measured negative affect, impulsivity, eating expectancies, body satisfaction, consumption of palatable food, and taste response to palatable food. YFAS scores were associated with EMA-reported variables corresponding to food addiction criteria (ps < .045). The multilevel reliability for EMA-FA was adequate (ω = .75-.94). Individuals with higher EMA-FA scores reported greater negative affect, impulsivity, appetite, palatable food consumption, taste response to palatable food, and contrary to expectations, greater body satisfaction (ps < .01). Within-person effects emerged for EMA-FA predicting higher negative affect, impulsivity, likelihood of palatable food consumption, more pleasurable taste responses after consuming palatable foods, yet lower body satisfaction, appetite, and eating expectancies (ps < .01). Results support the ecological validity of the YFAS 2.0, and additional evidence of convergent validity and internal consistency was demonstrated for a momentary food addiction scale. This assessment of the psychometric properties of the YFAS will ultimately further its utility and relevance in the study and diagnosis of food addiction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

One fit(spiration) for all? Gender differences in body satisfaction.

One fit(spiration) for all? Gender differences in body satisfaction.

Supplemental Material for One Fit(Spiration) for All? Gender Differences in Body Satisfaction

Supplemental Material for One Fit(Spiration) for All? Gender Differences in Body Satisfaction

Effects of Screen-Based Leisure Time on 24 Subsequent Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: A Longitudinal Outcome-Wide Analysis.

Previous research has shown that screen-based leisure time is related to physical and mental health, relationships, and prosocial behaviors. However, it remains unclear whether screen-based leisure time causally affects wellbeing, as previous studies have relied on cross-sectional data, focused on one type of media use (e.g., social media, video games, or internet), or assessed a narrow set of outcomes. We used three waves (2016, 2017, 2019) of national longitudinal data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study to investigate the effects of screen-based leisure time on 24 parameters of wellbeing (n = 11,085). We operationalized screen-based leisure as the sum of time spent browsing the internet, using social media, watching/reading the news, watching videos, and playing video games. We followed the outcome-wide analytic design for observational data by performing a series of multivariable regression models estimating the effect of screen-based leisure time on 24 wellbeing outcomes and assessed potential unmeasured confounding using sensitivity analyses. In our primary analysis with the total sample, total screen-based leisure time was associated with a very modest decrease in body satisfaction and a very modest increase in body mass index. Possible evidence of associations was found with increases in number of hours spent exercising and volunteering each week, as well as decreases in number of average daily hours of sleep, self-control, and subjective health. Screen-based leisure time has the potential to affect health and wellbeing. Results are discussed in light of the high prevalence of screen-based leisure time.

Feasibility and Safety of an Eight-Week Exercise Program with the Additional Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation of the Abdominal Muscles.

Peripheral magnetic stimulation has recently been introduced as a non-invasive but effective physical agent to improve muscle strength and everyday function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of an exercise program focusing on the abdominal muscles in combination with the peripheral magnetic stimulation of the abdominal muscles. Male and female overweight and obese adults (n = 19) participated in an eight-week exercise program with the additional peripheral magnetic stimulation of the abdominal muscles. Outcome measures included changes in abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness, trunk muscle strength, body composition, and self-reported body satisfaction. Subcutaneous fat thickness was significantly reduced after the intervention (p < 0.01-p < 0.001). Trunk flexion and left side flexion strength increased significantly after the intervention, although no significant changes were observed for trunk extension (p = 0.07) and right side flexion strength (p = 0.13). The body satisfaction self-assessment score significantly increased (p < 0.01), while body mass, body mass index, and fat mass significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that an exercise program with the additional peripheral magnetic stimulation is feasible and safe for overweight and obese participants. These results support the use of peripheral magnetic stimulation as a safe adjunct to the voluntary abdominal muscle contraction. Future studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of the additional peripheral magnetic stimulation of the abdominal muscles compared to the voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscles alone.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive nursing measures for pressure injuries in patients in the neurology intensive care unit.

Patients in neurology intensive care units (ICU) are prone to pressure injuries (PU) due to factors such as severe illness, long-term bed rest, and physiological dysfunction. PU not only causes pain and complications to patients, but also increases medical burden, prolongs hospitalization time, and affects the recovery process. To evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention nursing measures in neurology ICU patients. A retrospective study was conducted, and 60 patients who were admitted to the ICU of the Department of Neurology were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the order of admission, with 30 people in each group. The observation group implemented pressure injury prevention and nursing measures, while the control group adopted routine care. Comparison between observation and control groups following pressure injury prevention nursing intervention revealed significantly lower incidence rates in the observation group compared to the control group at 48 h (8.3% vs 26.7%), 7 d (16.7% vs 43.3%), and 14 d (20.0% vs 50.0%). This suggests a substantial reduction in pressure injury incidence in the observation group, with the gap widening over time. Additionally, patients in the observation group exhibited quicker recovery, with a shorter average time to get out of bed (48 h vs 72 h) and a shorter average length of stay (12 d vs 15 d) compared to the control group. Furthermore, post-intervention, patients in the observation group reported significantly improved quality of life scores, including higher scores in body satisfaction, feeling and function, and comfort (both psychological and physiological), indicating enhanced overall well-being and comfort following the implementation of pressure injury prevention nursing measures. Implementing pressure injury preventive care measures for neurology ICU patients will have better results.

The Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Quality of Life: The Importance of Research on Youth.

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) plays a significant role in the medical care of transgender individuals, helping to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of GAHT on adults, research focusing on its effects on the quality of life (QoL) of transgender youth is limited. In this opinion paper, we aim to address selected challenges associated with gender-affirming medical care, such as (1) the necessity for evidence-based youth gender-affirming medical care, (2) the urge to explore different approaches to gender-affirming medical care diversely in transgender youth research, and (3) understanding the challenges of the detransition process (which refers to stopping or reversing gender-affirming medical or surgical treatments), as well as suggest possible solutions for meaningful progress. Notably, the available evidence underlines a positive impact of GAHT on various aspects of QoL of transgender youth, such as mental health and social functioning, by alleviating gender dysphoria, improving body satisfaction, and facilitating appearance congruence (the degree to which an individual's physical appearance represents their gender identity). However, challenges related to methodological limitations, as well as ethical considerations, and several sociocultural factors highlight the need for further research to better understand the long-term effects of GAHT on the QoL of transgender youth. Ethical considerations, such as ensuring informed consent and weighing potential benefits against risks, are pivotal in guiding healthcare decisions. Additionally, navigating these ethical responsibilities amid sociocultural contexts is crucial for providing inclusive and respectful care to transgender youth. Addressing these research gaps is, therefore, crucial to developing successful healthcare programmes, raising awareness, and promoting the holistic well-being of transgender youth through comprehensive and affirming care.

Untangling the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction: a cross-sectional study on aesthetic and non-aesthetic female and male athletes aged 10 to 22 years

ObjectivesTo explore the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction among young athletes in one aesthetic sport (gymnastics) and one non-aesthetic sport (basketball)....

#Instabod versus #BoPo: An experimental study of the effects of viewing idealized versus body-positive content on collegiate males’ and females’ body satisfaction.

#Instabod versus #BoPo: An experimental study of the effects of viewing idealized versus body-positive content on collegiate males’ and females’ body satisfaction.

Are Patients With Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries Satisfied With Their Appearance?

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (tBPI) are devastating physically and emotionally. In addition to the physical loss of function and pervasive neuropathic pain, patients describe difficulty with negative self-image and social relationships. Our goal was to gain an initial understanding of body image and satisfaction with appearance among tBPI patients. Among 126 patients in a prospective cohort study, 60 completed a brachial plexus injury-specific modification of the Satisfaction with Appearance survey. The survey encompasses three major domains: social discomfort because of the affected limb, interference with relationships because of the affected limb, and appearance of the affected limb. We performed a cross-sectional descriptive analysis to provide an initial understanding of these domains among brachial plexus injury patients. Among all 60 patients, nearly half (27/60, 45%) reported they are satisfied with their overall appearance. The appearance of their affected hand(s) was the body part with which patients expressed the most concern. Patients also reported feeling increasingly uncomfortable among those less familiar to them: 11/60 (18%) were uncomfortable around family, 18/60 (30%) were uncomfortable around friends, and 19/60 (32%) were uncomfortable around strangers. One-quarter (15/60, 25%) of brachial plexus injury patients agreed that their injury interfered with relationships and that their tBPI was unattractive (16/60, 27%) to others. Almost half of patients who have experienced tBPI endorse dissatisfaction with their appearance, which can subsequently interfere with their personal relationships. Further, tBPI may influence patients' comfort levels in unfamiliar social surroundings and may influence how patients feel they are perceived by others. The patient's perception of their affected limb and its influence on their daily social interactions should be recognized by their tBPI care team, noting opportunities for improved counseling.

Self-Perception Profile, Body Image Perception and Satisfaction in Relation to Body Mass Index: An Investigation in a Sample of Adolescents from the Campania Region, Italy.

(1) Background: Body image dissatisfaction has been commonly reported in adolescents with overweight/obesity and has been related to a lack of motivation to change lifestyle behaviors. Plus, a better perception of physical fitness has been related to a higher self-perception in physical aspect and social items in youths. (2) Methods: A total of 120 (59.2% males, mean age of 12.3 ± 0.9 years) middle-school adolescents participated in the present study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed following the standard procedures. Body weight perception and body image satisfaction were assessed using the Silhouette Figure Body Images Test. Self-perception profile, perceived physical fitness, and perceived difficulties in conducting physical tasks were assessed by using structured questionnaires. (3) Results: Overweight was present in 27.5% adolescents and obesity in 32.5%. A total of 89.7% of adolescents with obesity did not have a real perception of his/her weight status and 84.6% of adolescents with obesity were not satisfied with his/her body image. The self-perception of physical appearance, perceived difficulties in running, perceived overall fitness, and perceived speed/agility were lower in adolescents who were unsatisfied with their body image. Body image satisfaction was positively associated with the self-perception of physical appearance and overall fitness and negatively associated with perceived difficulties in running, independently of sex, age, and BMI. (4) Conclusions: Adolescents with obesity did not have a real perception of their weight status and were unsatisfied with their body image. The positive association between body satisfaction, a better perception of overall fitness, and less difficulties in conducting physical tasks suggests the protective role of the components of physical activity and health-related fitness on body acceptance in a critical period of life.

The body interior in anorexia nervosa: from interoception to conceptual representation of body interior.

Body image disorders are well documented in anorexia nervosa (AN); however, knowledge of interoceptive awareness (IA) in this population remains poor. This descriptive study investigated whether and how the representation of the interior of the body may have an impact on IA. The representations and knowledge of the body interior were evaluated with a drawing task in 34 women with AN and 34 healthy controls (HCs). A lexicometric analysis was performed on the vocabulary used to describe the drawn body parts in a structured interview. It was assumed that the conceptual representation of the body interior could be affected by or influence IA. Thus, the relationship between IA, measured with the heartbeat task and the ischemia-induction test, and the drawings was explored. Other scales, such as those of body shape, awareness or satisfaction, were used to assess affective representations of the body. The drawing, lexicometric and IA results were similar in the two groups. No correlations were found among IA, body representation scores and representation level of body interior. Only the representation of bones by the AN group was significantly different. Increased visual attention to the skeleton or greater awareness of bone health could explain the stronger representation of bones in the AN group. The psychophysical therapy received by some AN participants (73%) did not seem to have influenced IA. Our results do not support a relationship between IA and the representation of the body interior.Clinical trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT03988218.

Weight bias among Canadians: Associations with sociodemographics, BMI and body image constructs

This cross-sectional study examined the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, BMI, and body image constructs (body satisfaction and weight bias internalization; WBI) and explicit weight bias. A near-representative sample of 995 English-speaking Canadian adults (52% Female) completed a survey which assessed explicit weight bias (Anti-Fat Attitudes questionnaire), body satisfaction (Body Shape Satisfaction Scale), WBI (Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale), and self-reported height and weight. Multiple linear regression analyses were run. Results showed that the variable that explained the most variance in explicit weight bias was WBI, followed by BMI. Higher levels of WBI and a lower BMI were both significantly associated with greater explicit weight bias. Male sex was associated with both disliking people with obesity and thinking obesity is attributable to lack of willpower, whereas female sex was associated with worrying about weight gain. The current findings emphasize the importance of future research efforts aimed at preventing or mitigating WBI to reduce negative attitudes about people with obesity.

Maternal interoceptive focus is associated with greater reported engagement in mother-infant stroking and rocking.

Parental caregiving during infancy is primarily aimed at the regulation of infants' physiological and emotional states. Recent models of embodied cognition propose that interoception, i.e., the perception of internal bodily states, may influence the quality and quantity of parent-infant caregiving. Yet, empirical investigations into this relationship remain scarce. Across two online studies of mothers with 6- to 18-month-old infants during Covid-19 lockdowns, we examined whether mothers' self-reported engagement in stroking and rocking their infant was related to self-reported interoceptive abilities. Additional measures included retrospective accounts of pregnancy and postnatal body satisfaction, and mothers' reports of their infant's understanding of vocabulary relating to body parts. In Study 1 (N = 151) and Study 2 (N = 111), mothers reported their engagement in caregiving behaviours and their tendency to focus on and regulate bodily states. In a subsample from Study 2 (N = 49), we also obtained an objective measure of cardiac interoceptive accuracy using an online heartbeat counting task. Across both studies, the tendency to focus on and regulate interoceptive states was associated with greater mother-infant stroking and rocking. Conversely, we found no evidence for a relationship between objective interoceptive accuracy and caregiving. The findings suggest that interoception may play a role in parental engagement in stroking and rocking, however, in-person dyadic studies are warranted to further investigate this relationship.

The experience of miscarriage and its impact on prenatal attachment during the following pregnancy: A mixed-methods study

BackgroundIn France, miscarriage affects nearly 200,000 women every year. This life event may generate negative effects on the mother-child relationship and the mother's mental health in the following pregnancy. ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of body satisfaction, partner support, resilience and previous experience of a miscarriage on prenatal attachment in pregnant women. DesignThis is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Women answered an online questionnaire in the period between November 2022 to April 2023. Participants267 French pregnant women who had previously experienced a miscarriage were recruited for this study. MeasurementsStudy outcomes included prenatal attachment, resilience, partner support, history of previous pregnancies and miscarriages, the current pregnancy, and questions relating to body experience. FindingsParticipants who reported a high investment in the current pregnancy, high partner support and a positive image of their body had higher levels of prenatal attachment. The experience of miscarriage also seems to influence prenatal attachment: pregnancy investment at the time of miscarriage had a positive influence, while medical experience had no significant impact. While the global resilience score was not related to prenatal attachment, sense of control was positively linked to prenatal attachment. Key conclusions and implications for practiceThese results highlight the importance of considering miscarriage as a perinatal loss with potential for long-lasting impact on women, which deserves particular attention from professionals. Enhancing partner support and helping women build a positive image of their pregnant body can also have a role in fostering prenatal attachment to the foetus.

To beautify or uglify! The effects of augmented reality face filters on body satisfaction moderated by self-esteem and self-identification

Beautifying augmented reality face filters (AR-FF) have been linked to reduced body satisfaction, particularly in young women. Social comparison theory has been used to explain this negative effect through upward social comparisons against the beautified version of oneself. However, downward comparisons have received little attention, though their investigation could have critical theoretical and practical implications. This proof-of-concept study evaluated whether the type of face filter has an effect on body satisfaction in young female students (N = 76) by comparing uglifying (downwards) and beautifying (upwards) face filters in a between-subjects experiment. Additionally, the moderating roles of self-esteem and self-identification with a filtered depiction were investigated. Exposure to beautifying face filters decreased body satisfaction, while no significant effect was detected for uglifying face filters. Furthermore, the effect of beautifying face filters was moderated by self-esteem but not self-identification, while there were no interactions for uglifying face filters. Possible implications and future research opportunities are discussed.

Body Satisfaction, Exercise Dependence, and White Matter Microstructure in Young Adults.

Self-body satisfaction is considered a psychological factor for exercise dependence (EXD). However, the potential neuropsychological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. To investigate the role of white matter microstructure in the association between body satisfaction and EXD. Prospective. One hundred eight regular exercisers (age 22.11 ± 2.62 years; 58 female). 3.0 Tesla; diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging with 30 directions. The Body Shape Satisfaction (BSS) and Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS); whole-brain tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and correlational tractography analyses; average fractional anisotropy (FA) and quantitative anisotropy (QA) values of obtained tracts. The whole-brain regression model, mediation analysis, and simple slope analysis. P values <0.05 were defined as statistically significant. The BSS and EDS scores were 37.33 ± 6.32 and 68.22 ± 13.88, respectively. TBSS showed negative correlations between EDS and FA values in the bilateral corticospinal tract (CST, r = -0.41), right cingulum (r = -0.41), and left superior thalamic radiation (STR, r = -0.50). Correlational tractography showed negative associations between EDS and QA values of the left inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (r = -0.35), STR (r = -0.42), CST (r = -0.31), and right cingulum (r = -0.28). The FA values, rather than QA values, mediated the BSS-EDS association (indirect effects = 0.30). The BSS was significantly associated with the EDS score at both low (β = 1.02) and high (β = 0.43) levels of FA value, while the association was significant only at the high level of QA value (β = 1.26). EXD was correlated with white matter in frontal-subcortical and sensorimotor networks, and these tracts mediated the body satisfaction-EXD association. White matter microstructure could be a promising neural signature for understanding the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of EXD. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Adherence and retention of elderly people in physical exercise

Background: The combination of aerobic exercise and transcutaneous microcurrent electrical stimulation (MES) application was shown to have a positive effect on localized abdominal adiposity (LAA) reduction. However, the effect of the combination of MES and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is still unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combination of MES and HIIT on LAA reduction. Methods: 39 sedentary women with LAA, distributed in a control group (CG), an exercise group (EG), and a MES plus exercise group (MEG) participated in this randomized clinical trial. The CG was not submitted to intervention. The EG was submitted to a HIIT protocol (80% of heart rate max in a functional circuit) and MEG was submitted to abdominal transcutaneous application of MES prior to HIIT, 2x/week, during 5 weeks. The outcomes were collected by a blind evaluator and measured in three moments (before the 1st intervention, and after the 5th and 10th intervention), based on body composition parameters, anthropometric data, physical activity level (PAL), body satisfaction, quality of life (QOL), and lumbar functionality. Results: After 10 interventions, MEG showed significant improvement in skinfolds, QOL, and body satisfaction, but no significant difference compared to EG or CG. Regarding PAL, MEG differed significantly in relation to CG, but not in relation to EG. Conclusion: The combination of MES and HIIT in 10 interventions did not show satisfactory results for LAA reduction compared to HIIT, but the increase in PAL and the improvement in lumbar functionality may provide positive effects in the medium-term, although further studies are required.

Picture Perfect

Abstract: Perfectionistic self-presentation (the desire to appear perfect to others) is related to decreased body satisfaction and intrusive (e.g., addictive or problematic) social media use in young women. Instagram, a highly visual social media platform, may serve as a medium for heightened body image concerns among this population. Exploring perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, by examining the extent to which women promote a perfect image on Instagram (perfectionistic self-promotion) and avoid presenting an imperfect image on Instagram (non-display of imperfection and non-disclosure of imperfection), may help to further understand its role in these issues. To test this idea, we recruited two non-clinical samples of young women (Sample 1: cross-sectional, N = 392; Sample 2: two-wave longitudinal, N = 176) to examine the relationships between perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, Instagram intrusion and body satisfaction. Findings revealed that dimensions of perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram were negatively associated with body satisfaction, both cross-sectionally and over time and positively associated with Instagram intrusion, cross-sectionally. Non-display of imperfection appeared to be the most important dimension. Overall, our findings offer initial support for examining perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, and its utility in understanding the body satisfaction of young women.