Overweight Preoccupation Research Articles

The Effects of Teasing in Childhood or Adolescence on Young Adults' Body Image

This study examined the specific impact of remembered childhood and adolescent teasing on different dimensions of body image in young adults. A total of 113 participants (43 men and 70 women) indicated that they had been teased about their weight or appearance. The results revealed that the frequency of being teased about one's appearance was the only significant predictor of appearance satisfaction in women. Overweight preoccupation was not predicted by weight or appearance teasing. For men, the perceived distress of appearance and weight-related teasing predicted appearance satisfaction and overweight preoccupation respectively. The results suggest that different types of teasing can have differential impacts on the body image of young men and women. The results identify the need for prevention and intervention programs to address the problem of teasing in late primary and early high school children.

The Impact of Mirrors on Body Image and Performance in High and Low Performing Female Ballet Students

This study assesses the effect of mirrors on body image and performance in high and low performing female collegiate ballet students. Twenty-three females enrolled in a beginning ballet class were taught using mirrors, and a second group of 23 beginning females were taught without mirrors. All participants completed the Cash 69-item Body Self-Relations Questionnaire during the first and last class of a 14-week semester. They were videotaped performing in the studio during the fifth and fourteenth weeks. Two ballet teachers independently viewed the videotapes to evaluate the dancers’ rhythmic accuracy, ease and flow of movement, and mastery of steps and alignment, and rated the students’ skill level on a 1-5 scale. For analysis purposes, students whose scores averaged three or higher were categorized as “high performers,” and those who averaged less than three were “low performers.” Two (mirror, non-mirror) by two (high performance, low performance) by two (pre-test, post-test) repeated measures ANOVAs were used to test class differences over the course of the semester. There were significant 3-way interactions for overweight preoccupation (p < 0.01) and body-areas satisfaction (p < 0.05). Low performers increased in overweight preoccupation in the non-mirror class while decreasing in the mirror class. High performers significantly increased in satisfaction for most areas of their body in the non-mirror class, while there were smaller increases for both low and high performers in the mirror class. It is concluded that while use of the mirror has some benefits in training, higher performing dancers feel better about their body image when they do not use the mirror. Lower performers who use the mirror worry less about their weight; those who do not use the mirror worry more. The mirror may provide feedback that helps low performing dancers feel more comfortable with their weight.

Body image and identity formation: the role of identity distress

This study explores the relationship between body image and identity development in a sample of 53 college students (mean = 26.45 years; s.d. = 7.36). College is an environment that promotes identity development, but it is also a time when many students face a heightened risk for weight gain, which could affect their body image. Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between body image and identity status. The purpose of this study was to build on that research by exploring the role of identity distress in the relationship between body image and identity status. It was hypothesized that those individuals who met for a DSM IV diagnosis of identity problem would exhibit more anxiety about their body image, and that identity distress would be a better predictor of body image than identity status alone. In this cross sectional study, participants in the moratorium identity status scored significantly higher on overweight preoccupation than those in the foreclosed identity status. Males had a significantly higher evaluation of their appearance than women did. Those who met DSM IV diagnosis for identity problem scored significantly lower in health orientation and body areas satisfaction. Identity distress was a significant predictor of appearance evaluation, body areas satisfaction, and overweight preoccupation, while a foreclosed identity status was a significant predictor of fitness orientation. Implications for intervention and prevention programs are discussed.

Predicting Problematic Internet Use in Men and Women: The Contributions of Psychological Distress, Coping Style, and Body Esteem

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is becoming a prevalent and serious problem among college students. Rates of PIU are higher in men, which may be due to psychological variables, such as comorbid psychological disorders and beliefs about one's body. We examined the ability of psychological distress, coping style, and body esteem to predict levels of PIU in men and women in a sample of 425 undergraduate students (46.8 percent male; mean age = 19.0, SD = 1.7). For men, phobic anxiety, wishful thinking, and overweight preoccupation were significant predictors of increased PIU. For women, depression, keeping to oneself, and decreased tension reduction were associated with increased PIU. The findings suggest that men and women may have different psychological reasons for excessive Internet use, including different types of psychological distress and coping styles. Unlike women, men may use the Internet because of weight concerns.

Invariance test of the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire: do women with breast cancer interpret this measure differently?

To examine whether the meaning and interpretation of body image are similar for breast cancer survivors and women without breast cancer. Women completed the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire--Appearance Scales as part of two studies. There were 469 women with breast cancer and 385 women without breast cancer. Invariance testing was conducted to examine whether the items assessing the body image dimensions were similar, whether the dimensions were interpreted similarly, whether the items were equally salient and meaningful, and whether there were mean differences on the body image dimensions across the two groups. The meaning and interpretation of body image dimensions related to appearance evaluation and appearance orientation were similar across the groups, yet some group differences were found for overweight preoccupation and body areas satisfaction (and not testable for self-classified weight). Breast cancer survivors reported a small yet significantly higher mean on appearance evaluation and lower mean on appearance orientation compared to the women without breast cancer. Meaningful comparisons in body image across cancer and non-cancer women can be made using two of the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire--Appearance Scales. The overweight preoccupation subscale could be used to assess body image but should not be used if group mean differences are desirable. Assessing satisfaction with body areas across these groups is not recommended and may introduce systematic bias.

Body image in female professional and amateur dancers

Body image is considered to be an obscure, mental representation of body shape, size and form which is influenced by a variety of factors that operate over varying time spans. Research has shown that professional female dancers may face preoccupations with their body image and weight. The present study aimed to investigate how body image was affected as a result of women dancers exercising in a professional and amateur level. The subjects were 115 female professional dance students and 85 females enrolled at amateur dance schools aged between 15and 30 years old. The participants completed the 69 items of the Multidimentional Body Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). According to the results, dance status was found to be significantly associated with three out of the ten MBSRQ subscales with professional dancers having higher mean scores on fitness orientation (F=10.095, p<0.05) and body areas dissatisfaction (F=16.455, p<0,05) and lower mean scores on overweight preoccupation (F=9.83, p<0,05). Future research on dancers could: (1) examine both the body image concerns and their relevant eating attitudes; (2) focus on body image concerns that occur as the females get older; (3) compare professional dancers with non‐dancers, since this might provide for data at each end of the spectrum.

Appearance concerns and smoking in young men and women: Going beyond weight control

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the link between appearance concerns and smoking in young men and women.Methods: A total of 244, 17–34-year-olds completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire Appearance Sub-Scales (MBSRQ-AS).Findings: Smokers scored significantly lower than non-smokers on appearance evaluation and appearance evaluation predicted smoking status in both men and women. Overweight preoccupation, self-classified weight and appearance orientation did not predict smoking status for either gender.Conclusions: It is concluded that smoking cessation interventions need to target general concerns about appearance in addition to concerns over weight control, and that campaigns focused around appearance concerns need to be targeted towards men as well as women.

Psychometric Properties of the French Adaptation of the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales

The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the French adaptation of the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales, a widely used instrument in body image research. The questionnaire is composed of five subscales: Appearance Orientation, Appearance Evaluation, Overweight Preoccupation, Self-classified Weight, and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted on a sample of 765 subjects for the first two subscales. As expected, the analyses yielded two factors: Appearance Orientation and Appearance Evaluation. Internal consistencies ranged between .66 and .88 and test-retest reliabilities ranged between .78 and .85 for the five subscales. Appearance evaluation and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale showed good convergent validity with the Body Image Questionnaire. Validity was supported by comparing scores for sex, for groups according to body mass index (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese), and by exploring the influence of social desirability.

Disordered eating attitudes in relation to body image and emotional intelligence in young women

A number of different psychological factors have been implicated in the multifactorial aetiology of disordered eating (DE) attitudes and behaviours; however, the possible role of emotional intelligence in DE symptomatology has not been thoroughly investigated in the past. The present study aimed to explore the possible differences in emotional intelligence, body image and anxiety levels in young females with DE attitudes and healthy controls. A total of 92 Greek female university students, 18-30 years old, were recruited. Subjects completed the following questionnaires: the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Multidimensional Body-Self Questionnaire (MBRSQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the BarOn Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (BarOn EQ-I). The EAT-26 revealed that 23% of the subjects presented DE attitudes. Women in the DE attitudes group had lower levels of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in comparison to the control group, particularly in factors such as emotional self-awareness (P < 0.05), empathy (P < 0.05), interpersonal relationships (P < 0.001), stress management (P < 0.05) and happiness (P < 0.05). The MBRSQ has revealed significant differences between the two groups in terms of overweight preoccupation (P < 0.001) and illness orientation (P < 0.01). The DE attitudes group had higher anxiety scores (STAI), although the differences were not significant. Finally, anxiety levels (STAI) were significantly correlated with levels of EI (BarOn EQ-I) (P < 0.001). The young women enrolled in the present study with DE attitudes, a potential precursor to eating disorders, appear to have significant differences in many psychometrical parameters of emotional intelligence, such as emotional self-awareness and interpersonal relationships, which is an important finding in terms of the prevention and management of DE, and warrants further investigation.

Self-reported interference with academic functioning and eating disordered symptoms: Associations with multiple dimensions of body image

A sample of 1583 undergraduates completed a multidimensional measure of body image (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, MBSRQ) and a new scale, the Eating and Body Image Disturbances Academic Interference Scale (EBIDAIS). All five subscales of the MBSRQ were related to higher levels of self-reported interference with academic functioning in correlational analyses. For the entire sample, a regression revealed that only the appearance orientation subscale of the MBSRQ did not explain unique variance associated with EBIDAIS scores. A few gender differences emerged when separate regressions were conducted, however, overweight preoccupation was the variable that predicted the largest unique variance for both genders. The results suggest that academic interference should be considered as a possible variable when evaluating the social and occupational problems associated with body image disturbance.

Effects of the Curves® fitness &amp; weight loss program in senior‐aged women: body image &amp; self esteem

55 sedentary women (66±5 yrs, 79±11 kg; 44±4% body fat) participated in the Curves circuit resistance-training program 3-d per wk for 14 wks. Subjects were assigned to an exercise only group (E) or a high carbohydrate (HC) or high protein (HP) diet group. Diets consisted of 1,200 kcal/d for 1-wk, 1,600 kcal/d for 9 wks, followed by a 2,100 kcals/d maintenance diet for 4 wks. The HC and maintenance diets contained 55% CHO, 15% PRO, and 30% Fat while the HP diet contained 7–15% CHO, 55–63% PRO, and 30% Fat. SPA, RSE, and CBI questionnaire data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and are presented as means ± SD changes after 10 and 14 wks, respectively. Results revealed that Self-Classified-Weight scores significantly decreased (−15.6±34, −19.9±34 %, p=0.007) while appearance evaluation scores tended to increase (11.3±31, 12.2±33 %, p=0.10). No differences were observed over time in body area satisfaction (−5.3±41, −3.4±43 %, p=0.63), overweight preoccupation (−4.8±45, −0.9±45 %, p=0.88), appearance orientation (−2.3±25, −4.2±21 %, p=0.27), total RSE (−9.9±39, −9.7±33 %, p=0.18), or SPA (−7.9±38, −5.0±39 %, p=0.58). No significant interactions were observed among groups. Results indicate that senior-aged women participating in the Curves fitness and weight loss program may influence some aspects of body image and self-esteem but that the type of diet does not influence these outcomes.

Social Cognitive Reactions to Considering Participation in Weight‐Management Interventions

This study investigated social cognitive reactions and individual‐difference factors associated with selecting a traditional diet intervention (TDI) and a nondiet (NDI) intervention. Participants read balanced descriptions of typical TDI and NDI interventions, and subsequently completed a questionnaire assessing selection of intervention, self‐efficacy (SE), and outcome expectations (OE) for each approach; body image (BI); and demographics. MANOVA procedures revealed that selection of intervention moderated ratings of SE and OE for each intervention. In addition, MANOVA procedures revealed a 3‐way interaction between intervention selection, intervention rating, and weight status. A MANOVA also revealed that selection groups differed on the overweight preoccupation subscale of the BI measure. Social cognitions and aspects of body image may provide useful information about readiness for weight‐management approaches.

Body-image thought processes: The development and initial validation of the Assessment of Body-Image Cognitive Distortions

No measures exist that specifically assess cognitive distortions related to body image per se, despite their theoretical and clinical significance. Most cognitive-distortion scales pertain to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Accordingly, the 37-item Assessment of Body-Image Cognitive Distortions (ABCD) was developed and validated in this study with a sample of 263 college women. The ABCD samples eight types of distorted thinking related to how persons process information about their physical appearance. Two 18-item parallel forms of the unidimensional measure were also constructed. All forms were highly internally consistent and relatively free from socially desirable responding. Convergent validity for all ABCD forms was established using several standardized measures of body image and eating attitudes. Multiple regression analysis showed that the ABCD was predictable from body-image evaluation, investment, and overweight preoccupation. The ABCD uniquely predicted body-image quality of life and disturbed eating attitudes above and beyond other body-image predictors. Heavier women and White women were more prone to body-image cognitive distortions than were thinner women and Black women. Finally, limitations of this preliminary study, directions for future research, and clinical implications are discussed.

The Relation of Body Image Fitness Orientation and Evaluation to Cardiorespiratory Fitness During Weight Loss

Body image has been shown to be influenced by weight loss. Little attention however has been devoted to personal evaluations of physical fitness (fitness evaluation) or the extent to which individuals psychologically invest in improving fitness (fitness orientation) during periods of weight loss. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relation between fitness evaluation (FE) and fitness orientation (FO) subscales with other body image ratings and physiological measures of fitness during a twelve-week behavioral weight loss program. METHODS: Thirty overweight, sedentary women (age= 42.5 ± 8.5 years, BMI= 29.3 kg/m2 ± 3.2) participated in a twelve-week behavioral weight loss program which reduced energy intake to 1200–1500 kcal/day and dietary fat to <30% of total calories. Subjects were progressively increased to 40 min/day, 5 days/week of home-based walking exercise. Body image was assessed using Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) subscales. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using time to reach 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate during a submaximal test on a treadmill. RESULTS: Time to reach 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate significantly increased over the 12 week intervention (10.3+3.0 min vs. 12.5+3.4 min, p< 0.00). Baseline FE and FO were positively associated with baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (r=0.55 and 0.53, respectively). Change in FO was positively associated with baseline FO, changes in appearance evaluation and orientation and change in cardiorespiratory fitness (r=0.40, 0.65, 0.37 and 0.39, respectively). Furthermore, positive change in FO was associated with 12-week scores of appearance orientation, health orientation and overweight preoccupation (r=0.38, 0.37, and 0.51, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that individuals with higher scores of FO at baseline had the greatest change in FO at 12 weeks, which was positively associated with changes in other perceived personal fitness constructs and fitness improvements. Exercise interventions should target strategies for improving FO and FE as this may have implications for exercise adoption and maintenance during weight loss. Supported by a Research Incentive Grant from the University of Louisville

The relationship of body image dissatisfaction to cigarette smoking in college students

This study examined the association of cigarette smoking status and body image dissatisfaction as measured by the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), in 1575 young adult college students, 18–24 years of age. Respondents were current cigarette smokers ( N = 482) or never tobacco users ( N = 1093). Smoking status was found to be significantly associated with 5 of the 10 MBSRQ subscales, with current smokers having lower scores on Fitness Orientation, Health Evaluation and Health Orientation (all p < 0.001) and higher scores on Appearance Orientation ( p = 0.01) and Overweight Preoccupation ( p = 0.03) compared with never tobacco users. Furthermore, among current smokers, a higher number of days smoked in the last 30 days were associated with lower scores on all MBSRQ subscales, except Self-Classified Weight. In terms of clinical implications, interventions for smoking cessation among college students might benefit from inclusion of components for addressing body image dissatisfaction and improving health beliefs.

Evaluation Of Weight Loss And Exercise Treatments On Body Image In Overweight Women

Weight loss and exercise may improve body image. However, whether the addition of resistance or yoga exercise to a standard weight loss and aerobic exercise program further impacts changes in body image has not been examined. PURPOSE To determine the effect of adding resistance or yoga exercise to a standard weight loss and aerobic exercise program on body image. METHODS Fifty nine sedentary women (BMI = 30.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2, age = 45.3 ± 6.7 years) participated in a 12 month behavioral weight loss program that included diet and exercise. All subjects received the same diet intervention but were randomized to one of three exercise conditions: 1) AERO: aerobic exercise (40 min/d, 5 d/wk) 2: RES: aerobic exercise + resistance exercise (40 min/d, 5 d/wk aerobic + 3 d/wk of resistance exercise) or 3) YOGA: aerobic exercise + yoga exercise (40 min/d, 5 d/wk aerobic + 3 d/wk of yoga). Body Image was evaluated through the 69 item MBSRQ Questionnaire (Cash, 1986). Subscales included appearance evaluation (APPE), appearance orientation (APPO), fitness evaluation (FITE), fitness orientation (FITO), health evaluation (HLTE), health orientation (HLTO), illness orientation (ILLO), body-areas satisfaction (BAS), self-classified weight (SCW), and overweight preoccupation (OWPRE). RESULTS Repeated Measures ANOVA showed significant improvements in body image subscales at 6 and 12 months (p<0.01), with no significant differences between groups (AERO, RES, YOGA). Correlation coefficients were computed to determine the relationship between change in body image and change in body weight at 6 and 12 months. There was a significant correlation between improvement in FITO and weight loss at 6 months (r = 0.38, p< 0.01). There were significant correlations between weight loss at 6 and 12 months and corresponding improvements in APPE (r = 0.47, r = 0.33), HLTO (r = 0.32, r = 0.35), BAS (r = 0.42, r = 0.29), and SCW (r = 0.50, r = 0.57) (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION Weight loss which incorporates physical activity into the intervention leads to improvements in body image. The addition of resistance or yoga exercise to a weight loss program does not appear to further improve body image compared to what is achieved through weight loss which includes aerobic exercise. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (HL64991)

How Has Body Image Changed? A Cross-Sectional Investigation of College Women and Men From 1983 to 2001.

Body-image dissatisfaction is not uncommon and can adversely affect individuals' psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Various oft-cited surveys and a meta-analysis implicate a worsening of body image over the past several decades, especially among women and possibly among men. The present cross-sectional study examined changes in multiple facets of body image among 3,127 college students from 1983 through 2001; the same standardized assessment was used in 22 studies conducted within the same university. Results confirmed non-Black women's increasing body-image dissatisfaction until the early or mid-1990s, after which significant improvements occurred in terms of overall body-image evaluation and overweight preoccupation among both non-Black and Black women, despite heavier body weights. A reduction over time in women's investment in their appearance was also evident. Men's body image was relatively stable during the 19-year period. Explanations, limitations, and implications of the findings are discussed.

Validity And Reliability Of A New Visual Rating Tool For Assessing Body Image In Men

1555 PURPOSE: Figure rating instruments in current use primarily assess body fatness, but not muscularity. A need exists for a tool to assess body image disturbances, which are more related to perceived lack of muscularity, in men. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of a new visual rating tool (VRT) designed to evaluate body image satisfaction in college age males. METHODS: Seventy-five undergraduate male college students were recruited and asked to answer a series of questions about their body image by selecting a figure from 25 male body images covering a wide range of body fatness and muscularity. Subjects also completed the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE), the Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS), and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). Subjects returned two weeks later to again answer the same questions using the VRT. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of the VRT is shown in the table below:TableMeasures of satisfaction with body fatness and body muscularity were computed from the figures selected by subjects (differences between subjects' answers to question 3 (ideal image) and question 1). These were correlated with total and subscale scores from the BDDE, MASS, & MBSRQ to assess validity of the VRT. Significant (p<0.05) correlations were found between dissatisfaction with degree of body fatness (too much) and the BDDE total score, the MASS muscle satisfaction subscore, and the MBSRQ appearance evaluation, body satisfaction, and overweight preoccupation subscores. Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between dissatisfaction with degree of body muscularity (not enough) and the MASS total and muscle satisfaction scores, the MBSRQ appearance evaluation and body satisfaction subscores. CONCLUSIONS: This newly developed VRT appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing body image satisfaction/dissatisfaction in college aged males. Furthermore, it is easy to administer and does not require much effort or time to use.

Body image and psychosocial differences among stable average weight, currently overweight, and formerly overweight women: the role of stigmatizing experiences

Substantial research has compared obese and nonobese persons on body image and psychosocial adjustment. While differences in body satisfaction are often observed, the literature is less clear on other dimensions. Extant differences are typically thought to result from the social stigmatization and maltreatment experienced by obese persons, especially females. The present study of 165 women compared three cohorts who were currently overweight, never overweight, or formerly overweight. Relative to never-overweight women, currently overweight women reported more body dissatisfaction/distress, overweight preoccupation, and dysfunctional appearance investment, as well as more binge eating, lower social self-esteem, and less satisfaction with life. Consistent with the “phantom fat” phenomenon, formerly overweight women were comparable to currently overweight women but worse than never-overweight women on overweight preoccupation and dysfunctional appearance investment. Correlations confirmed that, among overweight but not formerly overweight women, more frequent stigmatizing experiences during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood were significantly associated with currently poorer body image and psychosocial functioning. Scientific and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Body image and physical activity among black university students in South Africa

The purpose of this research is to identify and understand factors of body image influencing physical exercise behaviour among black South African women and men. There were 289 participants, 189 women and 100 men chosen from non-health sciences courses in a class setting. Results indicated that more than a third of the participants indicated that they had engaged three or more times a week in vigorous physical activity. More than one-third (35%) of the women were overweight or obese and a quarter of the men (25%) were underweight. Physical activity was strongly associated with appearance evaluation, fitness orientation, fitness evaluation, health orientation and weakly associated with appearance orientation and illness orientation. BMI was associated with overweight preoccupation and self-classified weight. Fitness orientation, health evaluation and body areas satisfaction were associated with ideal weight preferences. Key words: Body image, physical activity, black women and men, South Africa. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 9(2): 207-216)