Bulimic Behaviors Research Articles

INFLUÊNCIA DA INTERVENÇÃO PSICOLÓGICA NA MUDANÇA DE PERCEPÇÃO E ATITUDE FACE AO COMPORTAMENTO ALIMENTAR EM CONTEXTO DE OBESIDADE INFANTIL

The dynamics of change in eating behavior are dependent on changes in the perception and attitudes of the subjects under the action of a multiplicity of factors, resulting from the appropriate psychological and psychotherapeutic intervention. Objective: To study the changes made in the psychological functionality of children and adolescents with overweight/obesity under the action of psychological intervention. Research typology: Quantitative quasi-experimental study and comparative approach between two moments: before and after the psychological intervention. Participants: 20 children and adolescents of both sexes diagnosed with overweight/obesity. Methodological instruments: Clinical-psychological interview; sociodemographic questionnaire; eating behavior questionnaire (EBQ); eating disorder inventory (EDI). Results: Overweight/obese children and adolescents, after undergoing psychological intervention actions, about eating behavior present significantly more expressive values in attitudes oriented towards food restriction and less expressive in attitudes oriented towards external and emotional food intake. In the triad of scales of eating disorders, the values are more expressive in terms of concern (obsession) with weight loss and body dissatisfaction and less expressive in attitudes oriented towards bulimic behavior. In the individual psychological characteristics: the feeling of ineffectiveness, perfectionism, interpersonal distrust, interoceptive awareness, fear of maturity, asceticism, impulsiveness, and social insecurity, there are no statistically significant differences; minute variability. Conclusion: The psychological intervention in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity brought about changes in terms of ideas, perception, and attitudes, regarding eating behavior. Changes made in the dimensions related to the subjects' behavior regarding the process of control and management of food intake, not being detected in the individual characteristics inherent to the psychic functionality. Changes in perception and attitudes show that they are reactive, situational, and circumstantial, as there is no glimpse of an effective change in the problematic pattern.

Insecure Attachment, Maladaptive Perfectionism, Self-Esteem, Depression, and Bulimic Behaviors for College Women: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

Insecure Attachment, Maladaptive Perfectionism, Self-Esteem, Depression, and Bulimic Behaviors for College Women: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

Predictive Role of Body Image in Bulimic Behaviors Among Obese Patients Qualified for Bariatric Surgery.

Bulimic behavior and the associated experience of one's own body are of great importance in the course of surgical treatment for obesity. This study determined the predictive role of multidimensional body image on bulimic-type eating behaviors among individuals scheduled for the surgical treatment of obesity. This study was conducted in a clinical setting on a group of 100 obese patients who were treated at the Centre for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity at the University Hospital in Krakow (Poland) and were qualified for bariatric surgery. Body image was examined with Cash's Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and bulimic behavior with David M. Garner's Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Part A of the EAT-26 focused only on the bulimia and food preoccupation scale. Part B included sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) in the predictive model. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess psychological predictors of eating behavior. For binary variables, a logistic regression analysis was conducted for the whole group and for the women's group alone. Owing to the small sample size of men, regression analyses were not conducted. Higher values were observed in the Appearance Orientation dimension among women when compared to men. Appearance evaluation and age were found to be significant predictors for bulimic behaviors in the whole group. In regression models for behavior in the last 6 months, the predictors were found to be Health Evaluation and Appearance Orientation for laxative use, and Overweight Preoccupation for vomiting for weight control. Health-promoting behaviors in obesity treatment were conditioned as follows: for exercise, the predictors were sex and Fitness Orientation and for weight loss, they were Overweight Preoccupation and Body Areas Satisfaction. Our study shows that different bulimic behaviors are variously conditioned by body image dimensions, some of which are predictors of behaviors that are risk factors for obesity and poor outcomes of bariatric treatment, whereas others increase the chance of pro-health behaviors among obese individuals.

Individual and Family Factors in Disordered Eating Patterns of Mexican-American Women.

In this study, we examined the contribution of individual- (acculturation, body mass index, and body size satisfaction) and family- (maternal weight-related messages and disordered eating patterns) level factors in predicting bulimic and dieting behaviors in young Mexican-American women with overweight or obesity. We recruited adult Mexican- American mother-daughter dyads from the community. We conducted correlational analysis and hierarchical regression. Daughters who were less satisfied with their body size reported higher symptoms of bulimic (r = -.34, p < .01) or dieting behavior (r = -.36, p < .01). Daughters who received more positive maternal messages on eating and weight had mothers with lower symptoms of bulimic (r = -.43, p < .01) or dieting behavior (r = -.30, p < .05). Maternal symptoms of bulimic behavior were the strongest predictor of daughters' bulimic behavior (ß = .379, p = .007), and body size satisfaction was the strongest predictor of daughters' dieting behavior (ß = -.372, p = .008) in adjusted models. Mexican-American women who are less satisfied with their body size and have mothers with elevated symptoms of bulimic behavior are at risk for disordered eating patterns. Intervening at the individual level on body image and family level on maternal modeling of eating behavior may help support healthy weight management behaviors.

Body Image, Anxiety, and Bulimic Behavior during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Mexico.

Background: The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight, shape-related appearance behaviors (body image dissatisfaction), and bulimic symptoms in nonclinical participants is poorly evaluated. This study aimed to identify the relationship between labor status, confinement degree due to COVID-19, dissatisfaction with body image, and anxiety and to discover its effect on bulimic behavior in Mexican adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 276 participants via an online survey. Questions addressed their anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, and bulimic behavior. Results: The path analysis showed direct effects on the confinement degree (β = −0.157); of the labor situation (β = −0.147) and gender (β = 0.129) on anxiety; of dissatisfaction on bulimic behavior (β = 0.443) and anxiety about bulimic behavior (β = 0.184); and dissatisfaction (β = 0.085). Conclusions: The confinement, gender, and labor status are predictors of anxiety, while anxiety and body dissatisfaction directly influence bulimic behavior.

Food Attention Bias: appetite comes with eating

ObjectiveCognitive interventions may be effective in weight loss. The purpose of this study was to assess if cognitive reappraisal (CR; reframing the meaning of a stimulus in order to change the resulting emotional response), can reduce food attentional bias (FAB) using the Visual Dot Probe (VDP) paradigm.Method126 participants (age 27 ± 5.8) were randomly assigned either to a CR or to a control (CN) group. After assessing baseline VDP levels for FAB, participants either wrote sentences that discourage eating fattening food or neutral sentences. Next, all participants performed the VDP post intervention. Participants also self-reported on disordered eating behaviors and their height and weight were charted. We hypothesized that CR would reduce FAB and that disordered eating would moderate the association between group and FAB.ResultsFAB decreased post intervention, specifically in the CR group. The bulimia sub-scale showed an interaction between bulimic eating, time and group. Among those who were high on the bulimia scale, the CR group showed lower FAB post-intervention compared to the CN group.DiscussionThis study suggests that CR may decrease the attentional bias toward high-calorie food compared to other strategies in the general population and among people with high bulimia measures, in particular.Plain English summaryObesity has a negative impact on many aspects of life and much research is dedicated to trying to better understand behaviors concerning obesity. People are prone to focus their attention on things that are of importance to them, such as food. When people focus their attention on food, we call this Food Attention Bias (FAB). Cognitive reappraisal (CR) interventions involve the person's conscious cognitive change of the meaning of the situation aiming to consequently change the emotional response to it, such as saying to yourself “I shouldn’t eat this because I don’t want to get fat”. CR has been found to be helpful in lowering FAB using brain imagining techniques but has not yet been studied in cognitive processes. Our study used a Visual dot probe paradigm (VDP) to assess the efficacy of CR on lowering FAB. Two groups, one using CR and a control group were assessed twice on FAB, using the VDP paradigm. Compared to the normal condition, the CR intervention helped reduce FAB. This reduction was especially significant for people with a higher tendency for bulimic behavior. The VDP paradigm, utilizing CR. can be expanded to help build an intervention aimed at reducing FAB over time. This, in turn might bring to weight reduction. People with bulimic tendencies might especially benefit from CR interventions when dealing with weight loss.

Relationship between Childhood Maternal Parenting Attitudes Perceived by College Woman and Bulimic Behaviors: Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem, Maladaptive Perfectionism Adult Attachment Anxiety and Depression

Relationship between Childhood Maternal Parenting Attitudes Perceived by College Woman and Bulimic Behaviors: Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem, Maladaptive Perfectionism Adult Attachment Anxiety and Depression

Black oesophagus in an adolescent with type 2 diabetes

A 13-year-old boy with a past medical history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and obesity was admitted with massive haematemesis, melaena, and severe epigastric pain. He had developed non-autoimmune diabetes (glutamate decarboxylase antibodies, islet tyrosine phosphatase 2 antibodies, insulin autoantibodies, and Zinc Transporter 8 antibodies were absent); HbA1c 14·5% at the age of 10 years, having multiple paternal inheritance. Although known to have a bulimic behaviour, his medical history was negative for gastrointestinal disorders and for gastrointestinal toxic drugs or caustic consumption.

Relations Between Mood States and Eating Behavior During COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Italian College Students.

The fear of contagion during the COVID-19 pandemic has been indicated as a relevant cause of psychological pathologies occurring in this period. Food represents a compensating experience, distracting from the experiences of uncertainty, fear and despair, causing alterations in eating habits and behaviors. The study aims at evaluating the relations between fear of a pandemic, mood states and eating disorders in Italian college students, taking into account gender differences. During the lockdown for the pandemic, a sample of 469 college students equally distributed by gender, was recruited online using a questionnaire including the FCV-19S for the assessment of fear of COVID-19, the profile of mood states (POMS) for the evaluation of different emotional states, the eating disorder inventory-2 (EDI-2) and the binge eating scale (BES) to evaluate the presence of the levels of eating disorders. As expected, all emotive states measured by POMS (tension, depression, anger, tiredness, confusion) resulted significantly correlated with the fear of COVID-19. Women were more exposed to fear of COVID-19 showing greater tension, fatigue, depression and confusion, and a significantly higher total mood disturbance score than males. Regarding the EDI-2 and BES variables, tension and anxiety resulted significantly correlated also with bulimic behavior, while depression with interoceptive awareness, impulsivity, and binge eating behaviors, without gender differences. In conclusion, the negative impact of the fear of COVID-19 on the emotional profile and eating behavior suggests the need to implement strategies against psychological distress during the pandemic emergency, and to design psycho-educational interventions aimed at modifying the lifestyle for preventing risks of mental disorders fostering health-oriented behaviors.

Young adult mental health sequelae of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence.

There has been interest in the antecedents and mental health impacts of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence. Less is known about longer-term mental health impacts into young adulthood, as longitudinal studies with data spanning this developmental period are rare. We capitalize on mental health data collected across adolescence and young adulthood from a population-based cohort study that has been following >2000 Australian children and their families from infancy to young adulthood. This sample comprised 1,568 participants who completed the Eating Disorder Inventory drive for thinness and bulimic behavior (the severity of binge-purge patterns) subscales, and a modified version of the body dissatisfaction subscale in mid-adolescence (15-16 years), or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in young adulthood (19-20, 23-24, and 27-28 years). After adjusting for baseline demographic and prior mental health factors (<13 years of age), all three indices of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence predicted each mental health outcome in young adulthood. Mental health risks associated with adolescent body dissatisfaction and bulimic behavior scores remained stable across young adulthood, with men having more pronounced problems associated with bulimic behavior scores than women. In contrast, mental health risks associated with adolescent drive for thinness scores diminished across this period similarly for men and women. Findings suggest that adolescent eating and body image disturbances may have long-term mental health impacts that extend into young adulthood. This underscores the need for early preventative intervention, and longer-term monitoring and support for body image and eating disturbances.

Body Dissatisfaction, Weight-Related Behaviours, and Health Behaviours: A Comparison Between Australian and Malaysian in Female Emerging Adults

AbstractThe presence of body dissatisfaction (BD) in non-Western countries is an important area of empirical enquiry. The results reflect collectivistic and individualistic cultures of Malaysians and Australians, respectively, whereby social approval, social acceptance, and cultural values are of high importance to Malaysians compared with the more liberal attitudes of Australians with respect to health behaviours. This study sought to compare: (1) Australian and Malaysian women on BD, thin ideal internalisation, sociocultural influences, problematic weight-related behaviours, and health behaviours; and (2) the degree to which BD is associated with health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and sexual behaviours) across the two cultures. Participants were 428 Australian females and 402 Malaysian females aged 18–25 years old. Australians had higher BD, thin ideal internalisation, family and media influences, restrained eating, and poorer health behaviours, while Malaysians had higher peer influence. There was no difference for bulimic behaviours across the two countries. BD was found to have an association with use of drugs, smoking, and sexual behaviours among Malaysian women, but not for Australian participants. The permeation of Western standards of the thin ideal due to increased industrialisation, Westernisation, and modernisation has brought about bulimic behaviours in Malaysian women, similar to that of Australian women.

The Course of Weight/Shape Concerns and Disordered Eating Symptoms Among Adolescent and Young Adult Males

PurposeMale weight concerns tend to focus on shape and muscularity as opposed to a desire for thinness and remain underdetected by conventional eating disorder assessments. We aimed to describe the longitudinal course of weight concerns and disordered eating behaviors among males across adolescence and young adulthood. MethodsWe used prospective assessments of 4,489 U S. males, aged 11 to 18 years at baseline of analyses, in the Growing Up Today Study. We assigned mutually exclusive classifications of behaviors consistent with bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), purging disorder (PD); high levels of concern with thinness and/or muscularity; and use of muscle-enhancing products. We estimated the probability of maintenance, resolution, or transition to different weight concerns and/or disordered eating behaviors across consecutive survey waves. ResultsLess than 1% of participants met full or partial criteria for BN, PD, or BED at baseline. One-quarter (25.4%, n = 1,137) of males reported high weight concerns during follow-up; nearly all these cases (93.7%, n = 1,065) had high muscularity concerns. The most common transition in concerns or behaviors involved the addition of muscularity concerns to a preoccupation with thinness. Eleven percent of participants used muscle-building products during follow-up. Multi-year product use (23.0% [standard deviation 1.0%] of males who used products) was more common than maintenance of bulimic behaviors (3.0% [.7%] of BN/PD, 10.5% [1.2%] of BED cases). ConclusionsIntegrating muscularity concerns and product use into health promotion and screening tools may improve prevention and early detection of harmful body image and weight control among adolescent and young adult males.

The relationship between perfectionism, generalized problematic internet use and bulimic behaviours

IntroductionPerfectionism is a consistent risk factor for various psychopathological conditions, including psychological distress and eating disorders. Recently, we have shown, for the first time, that there is a relationship between perfectionism and generalized problematic internet use/GPIU (Sobral et al. 2020). Specifically, we found that the role of perfectionism in psychological disorder is partially mediated by GPIU. On the other hand, it has been suggested that the widespread use of digital media can lead to negative body image perception and abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors.ObjectivesTo explore, for the first time, the relationship between perfectionism, GPIU and disordered eating behavior.Methods475 university students (78.9% girls; mean age 20.22±1.695) answered the Portuguese validated versions of: Composite Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, GPIU Scale and Eating Attitudes Test-25. SPSS and Hayes’ Process Macro (2020) were used.ResultsBulimic Behaviours/BB significantly and moderately correlated with Perfectionist efforts (r=.263), Perfectionist concerns (r=.284) and GPIU (r=.25) (all p&lt;.001). The mediation analyses revealed that GPIU is a partial mediator of the relationship between both perfectionism dimensions and BB.ConclusionsThe evidence that both negative and “positive” perfectionism dimensions are associated to eating pathology is in line with our previous research. The present study adds, for the first time, that one of the perfectionism pathways of influence on BB operates through UGPI. Assessment and intervention to diminish eating psychopathology should focus on perfectionism and compulsive traits which could be involved in both ED and GPIU and in their comorbidity.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Eating disturbances in adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disabilities.

There is a growing interest in the relationship between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and eating disorders (EDs), two relatively common conditions lying on a spectrum from mild to severe clinical features. However, only limited data are available about pathological eating behaviors throughout adults on the autistic spectrum. The aim of the present study is to assess dysfunctional eating behaviors, including EDs manifestations and ASDs-related eating disturbances, in a population of adults with ASDs without intellectual disabilities. We recruited 106 adults on the autistic spectrum, without intellectual disability and 103 neurotypical adults (NAs). Participants completed the "Eating Attitude Test" (EAT-26), to measure symptoms and concerns characteristic of EDs, and the "Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders" (SWEAA), to assess eating behaviors frequently observed within the autistic spectrum. Participants with ASDs scored significantly higher than NA at the EAT-26 and at the SWEAA. Moreover, participants with ASDs scored higher than NA at the EAT-26 subscales Dieting and Bulimia. The difference between groups remained significant after controlling for the effect of age, biological sex, and BMI. These results suggest that adults with ASDs without intellectual disability presented not only a higher prevalence of eating disturbances typical of the autistic spectrum, but also other symptoms of EDs in comparison to NA. LAY SUMMARY: For both scales assessing eating disturbances (EAT-26 and SWEAA), participants with ASDs scored higher than NA, presenting a higher prevalence both of eating disturbances typical of ASDs and of ED symptoms (distorted body image, tendency toward bulimic behaviors, and self-control of eating).

Psychological Risk Factors for the Development of Restrictive and Bulimic Eating Behaviors: A Polish and Vietnamese Comparison.

The aim of this paper is to identify psychological factors which are culture specific or common predictors for restrictive and bulimic behaviors towards eating for young women raised in different cultures. The study included 661 young women from Poland (n = 233) and Vietnam (n = 428). Subjects filled-in the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS), and body measurements were collected to calculate anthropometric indices. Women form Vietnam were less satisfied with their appearance than were their Polish peers, but Vietnamese showed a lower level of preoccupation with being overweight and fear of obesity. Intercultural differences indicate that Vietnamese women show greater intensities for psychological variables, connected with restrictive and bulimic eating behaviors, verified in the research model: low self-esteem, personal alienation, interpersonal insecurity, interpersonal alienation, emotional dysregulation, interoceptive deficits, perfectionism and asceticism, and anxiety.

Psychological Impact of Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Eating Disorder Websites on Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Teenagers (in particular, females) suffering from eating disorders report being not satisfied with their physical aspect and they often perceive their body image in a wrong way; they report an excessive use of websites, defined as PRO-ANA and PRO-MIA, that promote an ideal of thinness, providing advice and suggestions about how to obtain super slim bodies. (2) Aim: The aim of this review is to explore the psychological impact of pro-ana and pro-mia websites on female teenagers. (3) Methods: We have carried out a systematic review of the literature on PubMed. The search terms that have been used are: “Pro” AND “Ana” OR “Blogging” AND “Mia”. Initially, 161 publications were identified, but in total, in compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies have been analyzed. (4) Results: The recent scientific literature has identified a growing number of Pro Ana and Pro Mia blogs which play an important role in the etiology of anorexia and bulimia, above all in female teenagers. The feelings of discomfort and dissatisfaction with their physical aspect, therefore, reduce their self-esteem. (5) Conclusion: These websites encourage anorexic and bulimic behaviors, in particular in female teenagers. Attention to healthy eating guidelines and policies during adolescence, focused on correcting eating behavioral aspects, is very important to prevent severe forms of psychopathology with more vulnerability in the perception of body image, social desirability, and negative emotional feedback.

Ambivalent Food Craving and Psychobiological Characteristics in Individuals With Weight Suppression.

This study investigated the effects of psychobiological characteristics of non-obese women with a high level of weight suppression (H-WS) on explicit-implicit and approach-avoidance response toward food cues, depending on hunger-satiety states. The 634 participants were divided into two groups according to their weight history. If the difference between their highest weight over the last year and their current weight (a difference sustained at least for 1 year) was more than 5%, they were assigned to the “H-WS” group (N = 25). If the difference in weight was less than 5%, they were assigned to the “low level of weight suppression” (L-WS) group (N = 29). Explicit approach and avoidance toward food were measured by self-report questionnaires. Implicit approach and avoidance toward food cues were measured using an eye-tracker. Fasting blood samples were obtained to measure fasting serum leptin levels. After this, participants consumed a standard breakfast to control the satiety level. After breakfast, explicit-implicit approach-avoidance responses were repeatedly measured at the satiety states. Self-reported body shape concerns, drive for thinness, ambivalent food craving, and bulimic behavior were also assessed. The results showed that the H-WS group had lower leptin levels, and higher body shape concerns, drive for thinness, ambivalent food craving, and bulimic behaviors compared to the L-WS group. At the explicit level, the H-WS group reported lower approach and higher avoidance to food compared to the L-WS group, regardless of hunger-satiety state. Whereas, at the implicit level, the H-WS group showed higher approach during satiety rather than during hunger states. Regardless of the hunger-satiety state, there were no significant group differences with regard to implicit avoidance between the two groups. Thus, we confirmed that a high level of avoidance toward foods was observed in the H-WS group at the explicit level but not at the implicit level. Moreover, in contrast with a high level of explicit avoidance toward palatable foods, inhibition for implicit approach toward high-calorie foods seemed to be blunted after food consumption in the H-WS group. These inconsistencies may be associated with ambivalent food craving and vulnerability to bulimic behavior among H-WS individuals.

Risk factors for eating disturbance in adolescent girls with dysregulation of the menstrual cycle

Summary.The article presents the results of eating behavior and personality traits study in a group of adolescent girls who consulted a gynecologist in connection with menstrual irregularities.The aimof the study was to identify risk factors for eating disturbance in adolescent girls with menstrual dysregulation.Materials and methods:were examined 75 adolescent girls with various disorders of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, opsooligomenorrhea, menorrhagia) and 25 girls of the control group. The characteristic features of eating disorders, the degree of dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, the level of self-esteem, various aspects of self-attitude, the severity of perfectionism and the level of anxiety were assessed. The main factors that determine the relationship between eating behavior and personal characteristics were identified using factor analysis. Risk factors for the development of the main symptoms of eating disorders (drive for thinness and bulimia) in adolescent girls were assessed using regression analysis.Results.It was found that girls with menstrual irregularities are more prone to episodes of overeating and the use of cleansing procedures, they have lower self-esteem and a more negative self-attitude. There were no significant differences in the girls’ assessment of their body image depending on the presence or absence of menstrual irregularities, as well as on the type of disturbances. This assessment in all cases had a tendency to negative perception of varying severity. Factor analysis of indicators of eating disturbances and personality traits in the study groups showed that eating disturbances in girls are closely associated with a negative attitude towards their bodies and with indicators of anxiety. Regression analysis identified indicators affecting drive for thinness and bulimic behavior that differed between groups.Conclusion.Eating behavior in adolescent girls is mediated through various psychological characteristics, including those associated with the features of the menstrual cycle.

Health outcomes, personality traits and eating disorders

SUMMARY Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a detrimental persistent eating disorder that impacts millions of women, and imposes serious costs on the economy in terms of physical health, treatment costs, absence from work and reduced human capital accumulation. One important issue in treating BN is that it is often undiagnosed, especially among disadvantaged girls. The failures to diagnose BN occur, in part, because many cases of BN are unobservable to others, and asking girls about their bingeing and purging behaviour can be considered invasive. Using data on eating disorder behaviours from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, we show that information on a girl’s personality traits, along with information on her family’s socioeconomic status (SES), can be used to impute the unobservable BN behaviour. In particular, we find that personality traits are significant determinants of bulimic behaviour, even after controlling for SES. These results suggest a way to target those who are likely to suffer from BN based on identifiable personality traits. Given the costs involved in BN, and the number of individuals affected, our research suggests a practical direction for public health policy to reduce the number of undiagnosed cases.

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.