Greater Body Image Dissatisfaction Research Articles

What matters for weight loss in behavioral trials in the Latinx community: Learnings from three randomized controlled trials

BackgroundNearly half of Latinx adults in the US are obese, making effective weight loss interventions crucial to prevent associated chronic conditions. ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with increased session attendance and clinically significant weight loss among Latinx adults. ParticipantsLatinx participants from the Vivamos Activos (n = 207), Vida Sana (n = 191), and HOMBRE (n = 424 Latinx men) randomized clinical trials. DesignPost-hoc analysis of randomized controlled trial data. InterventionCulturally-adapted behavioral weight loss interventions based on the Diabetes Prevention Program among Latinx adults over 12 months. Main outcome measureDemographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of session attendance and 5% weight loss at 12-months. Statistical analysis performedBi-variable associations between baseline characteristics and outcomes were tested with chi-square and t-tests. Those with p-value< 0.15 were then included in stepwise logistic regressions. ResultsParticipants (N = 822) were middle age with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Older age in the Vivamos Activos and Vida Sana trials, and lower acculturation in the HOMBRE trial were significant predictors of increased session attendance. Factors associated with 5% weight loss varied by trials. These included younger age (OR 0.96 95% CI 0.92, 0.99) in Vivamos Activos, higher acculturation (OR 1.88 95% CI 1.05, 3.37) in Vida Sana, and higher education (OR 3.20 95% CI 1.3, 7.03) and greater body image dissatisfaction (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04, 1.6), and lower acculturation (0.69 95% CI 0.5, 0.96) in HOMBRE. ConclusionsFew and conflicting baseline characteristics were associated with session attendance and clinically significant weight loss, suggesting that alternative approaches to optimizing interventions are needed.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND BODY IMAGE

Abstract: Social media is a communication channel that is becoming increasingly widespread. Its impact on people is gaining significance. Numerous studies have shown that social media activity can negatively affect people’s emotional states. The aim of this paper is to review the literature to examine the influence of social media on body image, which is viewed as the perception of one’s own body and the feelings and thoughts associated with it. Research review suggests that Facebook and Instagram use is associated with greater body image dissatisfaction. However, as the use of social media is not homogeneous and not all users are exposed to the same content, a more nuanced approach to measuring its use is required. If an individual follows physical appearance-based accounts on social networking platforms, their home pages will be filled with idealized representations of a human body, leading to more intense and frequent comparisons with other people. Such use unmistakably leads to negative body image, and the solution that stands out is education in media literacy which should develop critical and analytical skills in people. Keywords: body image, media, social networks, Facebook, Instagram

Abstract P4-09-04: When discussing breast reconstruction, do psychosocial characteristics influence which surgical options patients remember?

Abstract Introduction Although decisions about breast reconstruction surgery include patients’ perspectives, little is known about which options patients recall discussing and how their psychosocial factors influence their recall. The purpose of this study was to explore whether psychosocial factors were associated with the breast reconstruction options a patient remembers discussing with their reconstructive surgeon, controlling for medical factors that impact surgical decision-making. Material and methods From 2011 to 2014, we recruited English-speaking adults whose legal sex was female who had an appointment at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to discuss breast reconstruction. After the clinical consultation, participants indicated which reconstruction procedures they remembered discussing with their reconstructive surgeon (choose all that apply): (1) implant-based, (2) tissue-based, (3) combination of implant and tissue. Analyses focused on three groups: participants who remembered (a) only an implant-based option being discussed; (b) only a tissue-based option being discussed; and (c) implant-based, tissue-based, and combination options being discussed. We investigated the association between which reconstruction option(s) a participant remembered discussing with her reconstructive surgeon and her body image investment (Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R)), body image (Body Image Scale (BIS)), and overall psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18)), considering participant age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Multiple multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations of participant factors with the reconstruction options they remembered discussing with their surgeon. Akaike information criterion (AIC) was applied to select the best-fitting multivariable model. Results Out of 306 participants,138 participants remembered discussing only implant-based reconstruction; 118 participants remembered discussing only tissue-based reconstruction; and 50 participants remembered discussing implant-based, tissue-based, and combination options. The majority of participants were Caucasian (74.8%) and non-Hispanic (75.2%). BMI, body image investment, and body image were identified as associated with remembering different reconstruction options being discussed and were included in the multiple multinomial logistic regression model. Greater body image investment (i.e., higher ASI-R composite score) was significantly associated with higher odds of remembering discussing only implant-based reconstruction as compared to remembering discussing only tissue-based reconstruction, adjusted for the other factors in the model (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.04-2.79, p-value = 0.035). Greater body image dissatisfaction or concerns (i.e., higher BIS score) was associated with higher odds of remembering discussing only tissue-based reconstruction compared to remembering discussing only implant-based reconstruction, adjusted for the other factors in the model (adjusted OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.00-1.08, p-value = 0.045). Conclusion Our findings indicate that even when adjusted for BMI, patients with higher body image investment may be more likely to remember discussions about implant-based reconstruction, and patients with greater body image dissatisfaction may be more likely to remember discussions about tissue-based reconstruction. Tailored counseling approaches may be recommended to ensure all patients equally attend to and consider all medically-relevant options when discussing breast reconstruction surgery. Citation Format: Haoqi Wang, Jun Liu, Mary Catherine Bordes, Deepti Chopra, Gregory P Reece, Mia K Markey, Aubri S Hoffman. When discussing breast reconstruction, do psychosocial characteristics influence which surgical options patients remember? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-04.

Body image dissatisfaction in young Indian Men: Prevalence, psychosocial correlates, and the impact of sociocultural pressure

Background: Body image dissatisfaction (BID) is the negative perception of the weight and shape of one's body. It is a prominent risk factor for conditions ranging from eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. BID evolves from a complex interaction between psychological (personality, self-esteem), physical (body mass index), and cultural factors (social expectations and media messages). Once restricted to adolescent Caucasian females, BID has been increasing among men in developing Asian cultures. This study aimed to address the scarcity of research on BID and its correlates among young Indian men. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, observational, questionnaire-based research design was chosen to address the objectives in a sample of male college students aged 18–25 years. The body shape questionnaire (BSQ-8c), sociocultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire-4, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale and the mini-International personality item pool (MINI-IPIP) personality scale were used to measure BID, sociocultural pressures, self-esteem, and personality traits, respectively. Results: Of the 511 males, 34.44% (n = 176) had moderate to marked BID. Underweight men had greater BID than those who were obese. However, the differences in BSQ-8c scores across various BMI categories were not statistically significant (Kruskal–Wallis H = 6.07, df = 3, P = 0.108). BID significantly correlated with levels of neuroticism (rs = 0.093, P = 0.0360). Sociocultural pressure from the family, peers, and media significantly correlated with the internalization of thin and muscular body image ideals (all P

History of Sexual Violence and Associated Negative Consequences: The Mediating Role of Body Image Dissatisfaction

This article explores body image dissatisfaction (BID) as a potential mediating variable that may explain why those who have experienced sexual violence are more vulnerable to negative outcomes. It was hypothesized that women with a history of sexual violence would be more likely to report greater BID, which would be associated with experiencing increased psychological symptoms and distress, increased sexual risk behavior, and reduced sexual assertiveness. Structural equation models with bias-corrected bootstrapping were used to evaluate the conceptual model. Mediational analyses demonstrated that for women, experiences of sexual violence are significantly associated with greater BID, which, in turn, was predictive of increased depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as decreased sexual assertiveness. The implications of the current study are important, as they may inform clinical prevention and treatment of BID, support future research, and provide the opportunity to empower assault survivors by reducing the deleterious effects of sexual violence.

Autoimagem corporal e prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em estudantes universitários

Objetivo: Investigar o sobrepeso/obesidade, a autopercepção da imagem corporal de universitários e as associações entre essas variáveis com características sociodemográficas, vinculadas à Universidade e aos comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal, exploratório e quantitativo, realizado entre janeiro e fevereiro de 2017, com 324 universitários das áreas da Saúde, Exatas e Humanas. Utilizou-se questionário de Indicadores de Saúde e Qualidade de Vida de Acadêmicos para avaliar características sociodemográficas, vínculo com a universidade e comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Avaliou-se a autopercepção da imagem corporal, através da escala de silhuetas, e o estado nutricional, pelo índice de massa corporal. Realizaram-se análises descritivas e regressão Logística Multinominal. Resultados: A prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade foi de 43,2% (n= 141) e de insatisfação com a imagem corporal foi de 76,5% (n= 248). As universitárias apresentaram maiores chances de sobrepeso e obesidade (IC 95%:1,0-2,7; p 0,03). Os estudantes casados (IC 95%:1,8-5,9; p 0,01), que trabalham (IC 95%:1,4-3,7; p 0,01), com renda igual ou superior a um salário mínimo (IC 95%:1,4-4,8; p 0,01), tiveram maior chance de sobrepeso. O estado de saúde regular relacionou-se com maior insatisfação com a imagem corporal (IC 95%:1,4-5,7; p 0,01). A melhor aptidão física associou-se com menor chance de insatisfação corporal (IC 95%: 0,06-0,47; p 0,01). Conclusão: Elevada prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade e de insatisfação com a imagem corporal entre os universitários. Existe associação da prevalência de sobrepeso com faixa etária, sexo, estado civil, trabalho, renda, consumo de carne vermelha, assim como entre a autopercepção da imagem corporal com a autopercepção do estado de saúde, aptidão física e turno de estudo.

Percepção da imagem corporal e indicadores antropométricos e de composição corporal associados em idosos

Aging leads to psychological losses and various physical changes that, associated with body-stereotyped patterns imposed by society, can cause disturbances in the body image perception (BIP) in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate BIP in older adults living in the city of Campina Grande / PB and its relationship with different anthropometric and body composition indicators. This cross-sectional study was carried out with older adults of both sexes enrolled in the Family Health Strategy of Campina Grande, PB. BIP was considered as a dependent variable and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TSF), and arm fat area (AFA) as independent variables. The association between BIP and anthropometric indicators was verified using the Pearson chi-square test (X²), simple and multiple logistic regression, with significance level of p &lt;0.05. Overall, 420 older adults were interviewed (68.1% women), of whom 409 reported their actual body image perception. Regarding the perception of idealized body image, 11 individuals did not respond and 230 were satisfied, since 179 desired another silhouette. Individuals with BMI indicative of overweight / obesity were more likely of showing body image dissatisfaction compared to those with normal weight. Subjects with excessive TSF showed greater body image dissatisfaction in relation to those with normal weight. Women were more likely of showing body image dissatisfaction. Thus, it was observed that variables BMI, TSF and sex were independently associated with body image satisfaction.

Body image dissatisfaction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review

Background and aimsLittle is known about the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and body image. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence on body image...

Weight Stigma Affects Men Too.

Weight stigma, like eating disorders (1), tends to be overlooked and understudied in men. This practice is likely to change with the publication of Himmelstein, Puhl, and Quinn's (2) important finding that approximately 40% or more of men across three samples reported having experienced weight-based stigmatization. This finding challenges the notion that men are not affected by weight stigma and rightfully highlights the need to include them more fully in research on this problem. The report by Himmelstein and colleagues (2) addresses several gaps in the weight stigma literature and begins to develop a phenotype for men who report mistreatment because of their weight. Men were more likely to report weight-stigmatizing experiences if they were younger, unmarried, of lower income and higher education, and engaged in dieting behavior. They also had BMIs that fell in either the underweight or obesity range. This “U-shaped” pattern of weight stigma at the lowest and highest BMIs represents a key difference between men and women. Stigmatization of underweight men may contribute to reports of both greater body image dissatisfaction and symptoms of depression in this group compared with men of average weight (3, 4). As with eating disorders (1), male-specific experiences of weight stigmatization should be incorporated in future research surveys and in clinical assessments so that weight stigma is not overlooked in men. The phenotype can be further developed by examining the influence of race/ethnicity in more depth and by including additional factors such as sexual orientation. Himmelstein et al.'s (2) examination of the nature and timing of weight-stigmatizing experiences represents another empirical step forward. Currently, little is known about whether there are critical periods in which men (and women) are particularly vulnerable to weight stigma or how the type or source of stigma shapes its potentially adverse effects. For example, does being teased by a peer in adolescence potentially have different effects on psychological or physical health later in life than, say, being denied a job as an adult because of one's weight? Age of onset of obesity should also be considered in future research. Adults who have persistently faced weight stigma since early childhood may carry a greater burden of its ill effects than individuals who developed obesity later in life. A crucial next step for weight stigma research is to determine whether, in response to weight-stigmatizing experiences, men and women report comparable levels of distress and weight bias internalization (WBI). Women who strongly endorse having experienced weight stigma also report greater internalization of negative weight stereotypes and self-devaluation due to weight (5). Examination of how weight-stigmatizing experiences contribute to WBI among men is needed as well. In addition, some prior research has shown gender differences in the relationship between WBI and health outcomes, such as depression and eating pathology (6). More information about the degree and nature of distress caused by weight stigma in men will illuminate the circumstances in which clinical intervention is needed. Investigations of emerging psychological interventions for WBI, which have studied mostly female samples (7, 8), should increase efforts to include men. Overall, more detailed analyses of weight-stigmatizing experiences and their effects among diverse groups of men and women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, will help to hone our understanding of the wide reach and adverse consequences of weight stigma.

Psychometric properties of the brief loss of control over eating scale (LOCES-B) in early adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the brief loss of control over eating scale (LOCES-B) in a community sample of adolescents. Participants were 1,116 adolescents (11-15 years; 53% girls; 53% non-Hispanic White) recruited from middle schools in the Northeast United States. Participants were administered self-report surveys during school in the fall of 2016. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the LOCES-B total score was unidimensional, which was invariant across gender and weight status. The LOCES-B had excellent internal consistency (α = .92). The LOCES-B total score had large, positive relationships with the frequency of LOC eating episodes, objective bulimic episodes, and subjective bulimic episodes, and a small, positive relationship with objective overeating episode frequency. After adjusting for demographics, anthropometrics, and LOC eating frequency, adolescents reporting higher scores on the LOCES-B total score had greater body image dissatisfaction, more internalizing symptoms, and lower trait effortful control. Findings suggested that the LOCES-B is a reliable and valid measure of LOC eating in early adolescents. The availability of the LOCES-B has the potential to elucidate the developmental trajectories, predictors, and outcomes of LOC eating across the full severity spectrum in large cohort studies of youth.

Abstract P5-18-03: Relationships among breast symmetry, appearance investment, and body image dissatisfaction in breast cancer patients undergoing reconstruction

Abstract Purpose: Reconstruction as part of treatment for breast cancer is aimed at mitigating body image concerns post-mastectomy. Although algorithms are increasingly being developed to objectively assess breast reconstruction outcomes, previous research has not evaluated associations between objectively quantified breast aesthetic appearance and patient-reported body image outcomes. Further, the role appearance investment plays in a patient's body image is not well understood. We examined the extent to which objectively quantified breast symmetry and appearance investment were associated with body image dissatisfaction in patients undergoing cancer-related breast reconstruction. Method: Breast cancer patients in different stages of reconstruction (n=190) completed self-report measures of appearance investment and body image dissatisfaction. Vertical extent and horizontal extent symmetry values, which are indicators of breast symmetry across the vertical axis, were calculated from clinical photographs. Associations among symmetry, appearance investment, body image dissatisfaction, and patient clinical factors were examined. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the association of symmetry and appearance investment with body image dissatisfaction. Results: Vertical extent symmetry, but not horizontal extent symmetry, was associated with body image dissatisfaction. Multiple regression results indicated that decreased vertical extent symmetry (β = -0.24, p &amp;lt;0.01) and increased appearance investment (β = 0.37, p &amp;lt;0.001) were significantly associated with greater body image dissatisfaction while controlling for clinical factors.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that quantitatively measured reconstruction outcomes and appearance investment both significantly contribute to an understanding of patient-reported body image satisfaction during breast reconstruction treatment. Future studies are encouraged to utilize algorithms assessing breast aesthetic appearance and to consider patient values as predictors of body image outcomes. Symmetry Predicting Body Image Dissatisfaction Controlling for Clinical Factors Body Image Dissatisfaction (β)VE Symmetry-0.24**Appearance investment (ASI-R)0.37*** Clinial factors controlled for BMI-0.01Prior chemotherapy0.19Prior radiation therapy0.08Prior complications0.06Reconstruction timing (ref: Immediate) Delayed0.06Reconstruction type (ref: Implant) Autologous-0.01Mixed type0.09Reconstruction Stage (ref: Pre-surgery) Intermediate-0.06Final-0.15*p&amp;lt;.05, **p&amp;lt;.01, ***p&amp;lt;.001; ref = reference group; Note ASI-R = Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised Citation Format: Nicklaus KM, Teo I, Reece GP, Huang S-C, Mahajan K, Andon J, Khanal P, Sun CS, Merchant FA, Markey MK, Fingeret MC. Relationships among breast symmetry, appearance investment, and body image dissatisfaction in breast cancer patients undergoing reconstruction [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-03.

Body image dissatisfaction in patients undergoing breast reconstruction: Examining the roles of breast symmetry and appearance investment.

Reconstruction as part of treatment for breast cancer is aimed at mitigating body image concerns after mastectomy. Although algorithms have been developed to objectively assess breast reconstruction outcomes, associations between objectively quantified breast aesthetic appearance and patient-reported body image outcomes have not been examined. Further, the role of appearance investment in explaining a patient's body image is not well understood. We investigated the extent to which objectively quantified breast symmetry and patient-reported appearance investment were associated with body image dissatisfaction in patients undergoing cancer-related breast reconstruction. Breast cancer patients in different stages of reconstruction (n=190) completed self-report measures of appearance investment and body image dissatisfaction. Vertical extent and horizontal extent symmetry values, which are indicators of breast symmetry, were calculated from clinical photographs. Associations among breast symmetry, appearance investment, body image dissatisfaction, and patient clinical factors were examined. Multi-variable regression was used to evaluate the extent to which symmetry and appearance investment were associated with body image dissatisfaction. Vertical extent symmetry, but not horizontal extent symmetry, was associated with body image dissatisfaction. Decreased vertical extent symmetry (β=-.19, P<.05) and increased appearance investment (β=.45, P<.001) were significantly associated with greater body image dissatisfaction while controlling for clinical factors. Breast symmetry and patient appearance investment both significantly contribute to an understanding of patient-reported body image satisfaction during breast reconstruction treatment.

Satisfaction of Body Image in Adolescents With Different Maturity Stages

Introduction: Adolescence is a period marked by intense body modifications that occur differently according to the maturational stage and sex, which can generate different body image perceptions.Objective: This study aims to compare and associate body image satisfaction in different maturational stages. Methods: Overall, 207 adolescents of both sexes aged 10-12 years were evaluated. Maturation was estimated through an equation predictive of skeletal age and for the body image evaluation, the scale of silhouettes was used. The statistical tests used were chi-square and logistic regression (odds ratio) with respective confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: There was a prevalence of body image dissatisfaction of 63.8% (p &lt;0.001). In both sexes, subjects with accelerated maturation had greater body image dissatisfaction (girls p = 0.0, boys p = 0.04), and desire to reduce their silhouette scale (p &lt;0.001). Subjects with accelerated maturation were 2.88 more likely (CI 95% 1.03 - 8.05) of having body image dissatisfaction when compared to normal maturation; however, when adjusting for body mass index, the association lost its significance. Conclusion: It could be concluded that body dissatisfaction perceived by young individuals is independent of sex, and there is an association between accelerated maturational stage 2.88 times higher than in the normal maturational stage in relation to body dissatisfaction, in which the body mass index appears to be the main predictor for body dissatisfaction.

Adaptation and validation of the sexual self-consciousness scale in Ecuadorian women

ABSTRACTThe Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale (SSCS), developed by van Lankveld, Geijen, and Sykora in 2008, measures self-consciousness in sexual situations distinguishing dimensions of Sexual Embarrassment and Sexual Self-Focus. To date, there is no Spanish translation or validation of this scale for use with Spanish speakers. Therefore, the goal of this study was to adapt and validate the SSCS in a sample of 288 Ecuadorian women (18–55 years old). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the data showed a good model fit when a three-factor structure was considered: (i) Sexual Embarrassment (items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5); (ii) Sexual Partner-Focus (items 6, 7, 9, and 12); (iii) Sexual Self-Focus (items 8, 10, and 11). This version includes a distinction between sexual self-focus and sexual partner-focus (worries about the impression made on the partner). Reliability was good, and validity supported this distinction. Greater body-image dissatisfaction was positively associated with all SSCS factors, and each factor was differently associated with sexual desire (dyadic, general, and solitary) and with each phase of sexual functioning (desire, excitation, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction). Overall, Sexual Embarrassment had the greatest impact on sexual functioning impairment. Implications for clinical interventions are discussed.

Body image dissatisfaction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Despite the fact that the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and their treatments may affect physical appearance, the effect of IBD on body image is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to determine whether body image dissatisfaction (BID) changes over time in patients with IBD and to examine the demographic and disease-related variables associated with decreased body image. Adults aged 18 and above in the Ocean State Crohn's and Colitis Area Registry with at least 2 years of follow-up were eligible for this study. All patients were enrolled within 6 months of IBD diagnosis and followed prospectively. BID was assessed using a modified version of the Adapted Satisfaction With Appearance questionnaire. Total Adapted Satisfaction With Appearance scores and 2 subscores were calculated. To assess for changes over time, general linear models for correlated data were used for continuous outcomes, and generalized estimating equations were used for discrete outcomes. Two hundred seventy-four patients were studied. BID was found to be stable over time among men and women with IBD despite overall improvements in disease activity. No differences were found in BID according to IBD subtype. Female gender, greater disease activity, higher symptom burden, longer duration of steroid use, dermatologic and musculoskeletal manifestations of IBD, and ileocolonic disease location among patients with Crohn's disease were associated with greater BID. Greater BID was associated with lower health-related quality of life. BID remains stable in an incident cohort of IBD despite improved disease activity and is associated with lower health-related quality of life.

Body image; literature review

Nowadays, in developed countries there are standards of beauty based on pro-thin models, which are internalized by adolescents and young people especially in the case of women, assuming it as risk factor for developing changes in body image and perception. To analyze the current state of research in relation to body image, the sociodemographic variables that influence it, the relationship between body composition, conducting diets, eating disorders, sports and intervention programs and prevention, and the body image. It was searched in Medline, Isi Web of knowledge and Dialnet as well as a manual search among the references of selected studies and in different libraries. A increased socio-cultural influence is associated with a greater perception of body fat, greater body image dissatisfaction and lower self assessment of overall fitness. This leads to a lot of teenagers and young adults to abuse to the restrictive diets and to suffer eating disorders. Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between sports practice with body image disturbance; there are conflictive results. Moreover it is necessary to design objective tools to detect changes and enhance the design of prevention and intervention programs in order to avoid distortion of body image, especially in those age ranges where the population is more vulnerable to this phenomenon. The excessive current preoccupation about body image has resulted in the realization of diets and changes as eating disorders. There are other factors that influence body image and perception as the realization of physical exercise, although the results about the relationship between these factors are contradictory. Therefore, further work is needed on the issue by creating tools to detect changes and enhance the design of prevention and intervention programs.

Subtyping female adolescent psychiatric inpatients with features of eating disorders along dietary restraint and negative affect dimensions

Cluster-analytic studies of eating disorders in adult patients have yielded two subtypes (pure dietary and mixed dietary-negative affect). This study aimed to replicate the subtyping in female adolescent psychiatric inpatients with features of eating disorders. Cluster analyses of 137 patients with eating-disordered features revealed a dietary-negative affect subtype (43%) and a pure dietary subtype (57%). The dietary-negative affect subtype was characterized by greater likelihood of binge eating, greater eating-related psychopathology, and greater body image dissatisfaction. The two subtypes did not differ significantly in scores reflective of clinical syndromes (other than the significantly higher depressive affect in the negative affect subtype), but the dietary-negative affect subtype was characterized by greater personality disturbance and higher reported concerns in clinical areas, including suicidality and childhood abuse. The cluster analysis produced different results from an alternative approach to subtyping by vomiting. These findings provide further support for the reliability and validity of this subtyping scheme for eating pathology. Clinically, the findings suggest that the combination of dieting and negative affect signals a more disturbed variant of eating-disorder related psychopathology in female adolescent psychiatric inpatients.

Effect of early body image dissatisfaction on subsequent psychological and physical adjustment after disfiguring injury.

The impact of body image dissatisfaction on quality of life after severe burn injury was investigated after controlling for other determinants of outcome (i.e., injury, distress, and preburn quality of life). The postburn quality of life (2-months postdischarge) of groups with and without body image dissatisfaction was studied after controlling for preburn quality of life (measured 2-3 days postadmission). The patient population (N = 86) was 77.9% men, had an average total body surface area burned of 17.02%, and average full-thickness burn of 6.09%. Forty percent had facial injuries, 68.6% required surgery, most were injured by flame (39.5%), and 76.8% were employed. Multivariate analysis of covariance (covarying preburn level of Mental quality of life, facial injury, and size of burn) contrasting body image dissatisfaction groups found significantly lower psychosocial adjustment at 2-month follow-up in those with greater body image dissatisfaction (multivariate F = 3.61; p<.01). A second MANCOVA (covarying the preburn level of Physical quality of life and both facial injury and size of burn) found significantly lower physical functioning at 2-month follow-up in those with greater body image dissatisfaction (multivariate F = 2.78; p < .03). Adding two more covariates (depression and posttrauma distress) eliminated the effect of body image dissatisfaction on postburn Physical but not Mental adjustment. Body image dissatisfaction affects quality of life after severe burn injury. Distress moderates this impact on aspects of physical but not psychosocial health.

Weight-related distress in the early months after childbirth.

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of weight-related distress reported by new mothers and to explore associations of anthropometric and psychosocial variables with feelings about weight. New mothers' (N = 227) written descriptions of feelings about their weight were categorized using content analysis. More than 40% were somewhat satisfied with their weight, another 40% were mildly dissatisfied, and 8% experienced weight-related distress. Higher prepregnancy body mass index, larger gestational weight gain, higher current postpartum body mass index, less healthy lifestyle, and greater body image dissatisfaction were associated significantly with more dissatisfied/distressed feelings about weight. Results support the need for greater attention to the psychosocial significance of weight after childbirth.