Weight Control Behaviors Research Articles

Prevalence, incidence, impairment, course, and diagnostic progression and transition of eating disorders, overweight, and obesity in a large prospective study of high-risk young women.

We examined prevalence, incidence, impairment, course, and diagnostic transitions for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, eating disorders, overweight, and obesity in a high-risk sample of 1,952 young women (Mage = 19.7 years) who completed diagnostic interviews over a 3-year period. The baseline prevalence of any eating disorder was 13.3% and 25.4% showed onset (incidence) over 3-year follow-up. Baseline prevalence of overweight and obesity were 17.2% and 11.9%, respectively, with respective 3-year incidence rates of 18.3% and 6.8%. The average duration of eating disorders ranged from 2.2 to 5.0 months. Episode duration for overweight and obesity were 14.9 and 20.0 months, respectively. Most eating disorders (82%-96%) showed remission within 1 year; recurrence rates varied from 12% (atypical anorexia nervosa [AN]) to 44% (subthreshold bulimia nervosa). Three-year remission rates for overweight (53%) and obesity (34%) were lower, as was recurrence (15% and 9%, respectively). All eating disorders were characterized by a mixture of binge eating and compensatory weight control behaviors. Functional impairment was elevated for half the examined eating disorders and obesity. Diagnostic progression varied from 3% of those with atypical AN progressing to AN to 29% of those with subthreshold binge eating disorder progressing to binge eating disorder. Regarding diagnostic crossover, the most frequent pattern was shifting from a threshold to a subthreshold eating disorder, followed by shifting from a binge-related eating disorder to overweight. Results extend knowledge of the natural history of eating disorders and provide novel evidence of the relation between eating disorders and overweight/obesity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Межличностная чувствительность, страх негативной оценки внешности и стыд собственного тела у девочек-подростков с расстройствами пищевого поведения

<p><strong>Study relevance.</strong> Recent years have been marked by the rising frequency of eating disorders (EDs) and the growing popularity of various weight control behaviors in adolescents. Although numerous studies have shown that interpersonal functioning is impaired in people with EDs, personal traits reinforcing these impairments have not been studied enough. <strong>Objective</strong>. The study focused on the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity, fear of negative appearance evaluation, body shame and weight control behaviors in clinical (n=54) and community (n=54) samples of adolescent girls (aged 13—17). <strong>Method</strong>. The participants filled out a survey and 3 measures in person. The measures included Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (Boyce, Parker, 1989; Razvaliaeva, Polskaya, 2021), Fear of Negative Appearance Evaluation scale (Lundgren et al., 2004; Razvaliaeva, Polskaya, 2020), and Phenomenological Body Shame Scale-Revised (Siegel et al., 2021). <strong>Results</strong>. Girls with EDs reported food restrictions, purging, body measurements and multiple weight control behaviors, whereas girls from the community sample reported engaging in sports as a weight control behavior. Fear of negative appearance evaluation, body shame and interpersonal sensitivity score significantly higher in girls with EDs; the first 2 traits are also related to numerous weight control behaviors. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. The study was the first to show that interpersonal sensitivity, fear of negative appearance evaluation and body shame were more pronounced in Russian-speaking adolescent girls with EDs, especially in girls with numerous weight control behaviors.</p>

Development of the two-factor modified Kids Eating Disorder Survey (M-KEDS): a validation study with hispanic adolescents

BackgroundDisordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction are highly prevalent among adolescents and linked to negative health outcomes. While Hispanic adolescents appear to be at high risk of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, validated tools for assessment of these health concerns among this population are lacking.MethodsThis study used Confirmatory Factor Analysis to establish factorial validity for the Kids Eating Disorder Survey (KEDS) among a community sample of Hispanic adolescents. Internal consistency was measured by the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20).ResultsParticipants (N = 690) were Hispanic (100%) and female (53%), with a mean age of 12 years. After testing the psychometric properties of KEDS and implementing modifications, the resulting two-factor KEDS model (M-KEDS) showed acceptable fit (TLI = 0.98, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.06) for the Weight Dissatisfaction (renamed to Negative Weight Attitudes) and Purging/Restriction (renamed to Extreme Weight Control Behaviors) sub-scales and good internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.77).ConclusionM-KEDS is a factorial valid instrument for assessing Extreme Weight Control Behaviors and Negative Weight Attitudes among Hispanic adolescents. Hispanics are among the fastest-growing racial/ethnic groups in the United States, warranting further research on negative weight attitudes and extreme weight control behaviors in this population.

A Study on the Effects of Obesity Stress and Body Shape Awareness on Physical Aesthetics in Adult Women after the Pandemic through Self-efficacy

This study investigated the relationship between obesity stress in adult women after the pandemic and body image awareness and the mediating effect of self-efficacy. The survey was conducted from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023, and the study sample was adult women in their 20s to 50s nationwide, with a convenience sample of 704 people used as the final analysis data. In summary, it was found that factors of body shape awareness such as awareness of obesity, body shape awareness, and weight control behavior increased due to factors of obesity stress such as surrounding awareness, negative behavioral emotions, and disease concerns due to weight gain after the pandemic. It can be interpreted to mean that there is a relationship between obesity stress and body shape awareness. Self-efficacy was shown to play a mediating role in body shape awareness and physical beauty consciousness of adult women’s obesity stress. These results show that although obesity stress increased after the pandemic, the more positively one recognizes one’s body shape, the more self-efficacy, which is the ability to solve one’s own problems and overcome obstacles, is increased, which helps one live a beautiful and healthy life. In addition, it was confirmed that the improvement of self-efficacy in adult women played a mediating role as a catalyst. Through this study, we hope to help solve the social disease of obesity by developing a more systematic program and active education so that people can pursue health and beauty by themselves and prevent the yo-yo phenomenon and its side effects through correct body shape recognition, body shape satisfaction, and weight control behavior through correct body shape recognition and self-belief or faith. We also hope to help solve the social disease of obesity by developing a more systematic program and active education so that people can pursue health through dieting.

Assessing the effectiveness of health belief model-based educational interventions on weight control intentions among Malaysians

Obesity and overweight are major health concerns, with a 19.7% prevalence among Malaysian adults, as reported in the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey. This study assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention on weight control intention using the Health Belief Model (HBM). A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 140 participants equally divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). Post-intervention, the IG showed significant improvement in perceived self-efficacy in dieting (mean score 3.96 ± 0.85) compared to the CG (3.76 ± 0.86, p = 0.003). Perceived self-efficacy in exercise also increased in the IG (4.12 ± 0.52) compared to the CG (3.51 ± 0.94, p < 0.001). While behavioral intention scores improved in the IG (4.00 ± 0.59), the difference was not significant (p = 0.300). This study highlights that educational interventions using HBM can effectively improve self-efficacy and influence weight control behaviors.

Additive vs. redundant properties of theory in the advancement of weight-control behaviors within community-based obesity treatments in lower- to lower-middle income women

BackgroundObesity is a growing epidemic with non-surgical/non-pharmacological interventions having only nominal and transient effects on excess weight. Those persistent shortcomings are associated with minimal understandings of impacts of treatment-associated changes in psychological variables and their relationships. Women of lower incomes have high rates of obesity and might have increased difficulties accessing evidence-based programs.MethodsWomen with obesity of lower- to lower-middle incomes participated in 6-month community-based treatments in the United States emphasizing either self-regulatory skills development (behavioral methods group: n = 63) or typical education in exercise and healthy dietary practices (education group: n = 48).ResultsThere were significant 6-month improvements in self-regulation, self-efficacy, mood, physical activity/exercise, dietary behaviors, and weight in both groups. All improvements were significantly greater in the behavioral group. Based on the incorporation of multiple behavioral theories, separate multiple regression models were fit for prediction of the weight-loss behavior changes. Stepwise entry of changes in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood each significantly contributed to the explained variance in physical activity/exercise change. Change in self-efficacy was most relevant in the prediction of change in dietary behaviors. Change in physical activity/exercise was significantly related to change in dietary behaviors; however, a regression analysis indicated that only physical activity/exercise change was a significant independent contributor to the overall accounted-for variance in lost weight.ConclusionBy incorporating key tenets of social cognitive theory, self-efficacy theory, self-regulation theory, coaction theory, and the mood-behavior model in an additive manner, suggestions and emphases for addressing psychological variables for improved weight-loss behaviors within scalable obesity treatments were advanced.

Factors influencing health literacy in overweight management among late adolescents in Thailand: A cross-sectional study.

Health literacy is crucial in managing health outcomes, including overweight, which is a significant issue among late adolescents. Despite the importance of health literacy in weight management, research focusing on this population remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing health literacy in overweight management among late adolescents in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted with late adolescents from five higher education institutions in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. A total of 403 participants were selected through multistage random sampling. Self-report questionnaires, validated for reliability and accuracy, were used to collect data from March to May 2023. Multiple regression analysis was employed, with a significance level set at 0.05. The sample consisted predominantly of females (91.10%) with an average age of 20-21 years (54.30%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity among participants was 25.06%. Four factors were significantly associated with health literacy in overweight management: access to health and weight control resources (r = 0.368, p <0.001), access to online social learning resources (r = 0.321, p <0.001), access to books, journals, and websites (r = 0.340, p <0.001), and management of weight control behaviors (r = 0.145, p <0.001). These factors together accounted for 20% of the variance in health literacy (R2 = 0.200). The study identified key factors that enhance health literacy in overweight management among late adolescents in Thailand. It is recommended that nurses and other healthcare professionals develop targeted interventions focusing on these factors to effectively manage overweight in this population.

Weight-control compensatory behaviors patterns and correlates: a scoping review.

Weight-control compensatory behaviors appear to be a commonly utilized strategy for health management. Individuals engaging in such behaviors believe that the negative consequences from unhealthy behaviors will be neutralized by the positive consequences of healthy behaviors. Existing research has not reached a consensus on whether such behaviors are beneficial to health. This review aims to (1) summarize the patterns of weight-control compensatory health behaviors in different populations, (2) highlight correlates, predictors, and consequences of compensatory health behaviors, and (3) identify gaps for future research. This review identified existing literature using online databases, CINAHL and PubMed. Primary research articles published after 2000 with non-clinical participants of 12 years or older who engaged in compensatory behaviors for weight control purposes were selected. Descriptive statistics were extracted from 35 studies. Different patterns for weight-control compensatory behaviors emerged between the female and male sexes. Meanwhile, no clear association of such behaviors was found across weight status. Studies reviewed also highlighted three main areas of compensatory behaviors for weight management, namely dietary behaviors, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Weight-control compensatory behaviors had significant negative correlations with mental health indicators, such as psychosocial functioning, emotional differentiation ability, and body esteem. Weight-control compensatory behaviors may be a widely used weight management strategy and can be presented in diverse ways. Although believed to be promoting health, such behaviors appear to be associated with poor psychological well-being. This emerging topic warrants more in-depth investigation to establish the direction of causation. Future research may investigate the relationship between weight-control compensatory behaviors and various aspects of health over longer time periods, examine the engagement of multiple weight-control compensatory behaviors, and focus on high-risk populations.

Disordered Eating in Early Adolescence: Disparities Among Minoritised Youth.

Disordered eating in early adolescence impacts development, with long-term health implications. Minoritised adolescents might be at higher risk of disordered eating due to minority stress, but most research has focused on White, heterosexual, cisgender individuals; less is known about disordered eating among minoritised adolescents. We examined sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic identities in relation to disordered eating in early adolescence. Using 2-year follow-up data from adolescents ages 10-14 in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 9385), we examined associations between sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic identities and past-2 week disordered eating (preoccupation with weight, weight control behaviors, and binge eating). Compared to heterosexual peers, gay/bisexual adolescents had higher odds of all three outcomes (AOR 1.90-3.32); those "questioning" their sexual identity had higher odds of preoccupation with weight (AOR 1.82) and binge eating (AOR 2.53). Compared to cisgender adolescents, transgender adolescents had higher odds of binge eating (AOR 2.62); those "questioning" their gender identity had higher odds of preoccupation with weight (AOR 2.45). Adolescents whose racial identity was categorised as "Another" had higher odds of preoccupation with weight (AOR 1.46) and weight control behaviors (AOR 1.58) compared to White adolescents. Finally, Hispanic adolescents had higher odds of all disordered eating outcomes than non-Hispanic adolescents (AOR 1.25-1.59). This study is among the first to reveal disparities in disordered eating among minoritised early adolescents. Further examination of these disparities can inform future interventions. Healthcare providers are encouraged to screen for disordered eating, recognising that minoritised early adolescents may be at risk.

Body Image and Eating Behaviour in Adolescents Loving Korean Wave Culture

The Korean wave has developed into a popular culture in the global community, especially adolescents in the last two decades. Cultural programs that include idols/bands, movies, dramas, variety shows, and webtoons are in great demand. The image of Korean women can influence adolescents' perceptions of ideal body shapes and eating behaviors. This study aims to analyze correlations between Korean culture viewing habits with body image and eating behavior among adolescents in West Java. This research is a cross-sectional study, conducted in West Java during April 2023 using the online structured questionnaire. The total subjects of this research were 467 adolescents. The results of the study stated that the subjects in this study were women (81.2%), college students (66.6%), Korean show enthusiasts (66.6%), Kpop enthusiasts (68.3%), Kdrama enthusiasts (77.5%), and webtoon enthusiasts (50.3%). Most of them thought that Korean idols were attractive (96.4%), and sometimes they want theirs body shape as their idols (46.5%). There were differences in body image and eating behavior among K-show (p=0.046 &amp;amp; p=0.039), Kpop (p=0.048, p=0.027, p=0.024, &amp;amp; p=0,000), and Kdrama enthusiasts (p=0.026) but there were no differences between enthusiasts of webtoon. Our findings show the Korean wave culture is one of the causes of adolescents experiencing body dissatisfaction, which is an important predictor of eating problems. Awareness of the importance of positive body image and healthy weight control behavior concepts is necessary.

Associations of disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors with cardiovascular health: The coronary artery risk development in young adults study.

Few studies have investigated disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors and cardiovascular health (CVH) outside of adolescence and early adulthood. We examined the cross-sectional and prospective associations of these behaviors and CVH in middle adulthood. A total of 2,095 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants were assessed at Year 10 (Y10, 1995-1996) and Year 30 (Y30, 2015-2016). The Y10-administered Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised was used to create the problematic relationship to eating and food (PREF) score (range 0-8). Higher scores indicated greater disordered eating and/or unhealthy weight control behaviors across eight components. PREF was modeled categorically: 0-1 (reference), 2-3, and 4-8. Diet, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI) were measured at Y10 and Y30 (diet at Y7 and Y20) and used to define CVH. CVH was modeled categorically: poor-to-intermediate (0-9) and ideal (10-14; reference). Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between PREF and CVH categories and components. PREF 4-8 was associated with Y10 poor-to-intermediate CVH (OR = 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.78, 3.10]) but not Y30 (OR = 1.34, 95% CI [0.96, 1.87]) compared to PREF 0-1. PREF 2-3 was not associated with Y10 or Y30 CVH. Individual PREF components were not uniformly associated with individual CVH components, although all PREF components were associated with Y10 poor-to-intermediate BMI. Disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors are cross-sectionally but not prospectively associated with poorer CVH during middle age. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Associations of Disordered Eating and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors With Cardiovascular Health: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Supplemental Material for Associations of Disordered Eating and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors With Cardiovascular Health: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Parental Binge Eating and Child Binge Eating and Weight-Control Behaviors: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Findings From the EAT 2010-2018 Study.

In cross-sectional and retrospective research, parental binge eating is associated with their children's eating psychopathology. The current study extended the evidence by cross-sectionally and longitudinally examining the relation between parental binge eating and binge eating and weight-control behaviors in the next generation of their adolescent children and young adult children in a population-based sample. Adolescents (Time 1: M = 14.5, SD = 2.0 years) (n = 2367), followed into adulthood (Time 2: M = 22.1, SD = 2.0 years), and their parents (n = 3664) were enrolled in EAT 2010-2018 and Project F-EAT 2010. The current study examined parental binge eating, and child binge eating and weight-control behaviors. Adjusted models covaried for child gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Approximately 7% of adolescents at Time 1 had at least one parent who reported binge eating with no differences by child's age, gender, or race/ethnicity. Having at least one parent experiencing binge eating at Time 1 (vs. not) was associated cross-sectionally with adolescent children's use of extreme weight-control behaviors (9.6% vs. 4.8%; Risk Difference [RD] = 4.9%) and associated longitudinally with binge eating during young adulthood (21.1% vs. 11.6%; RD = 9.5%). Other associations did not reach statistical significance. Children of parents with binge eating appear to have elevated risk of extreme weight-control behaviors during adolescence and binge eating in young adulthood. Clinicians should assess whether eating psychopathology extends to other family members, and offer additional support to parents with binge eating. Further research is needed to identify risk factors in the children of parents with binge eating and to assess strategies for prevention.

Exaggerated frontoparietal control over cognitive effort-based decision-making in young women with anorexia nervosa.

Effortful tasks are generally experienced as costly, but the value of work varies greatly across individuals and populations. While most mental health conditions are characterized by amotivation and effort avoidance, individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) persistently engage in effortful behaviors that most people find unrewarding (food restriction, excessive exercise). Current models of AN differentially attribute such extreme weight-control behavior to altered reward responding and exaggerated cognitive control. In a novel test of these theoretical accounts, we employed an established cognitive effort discounting paradigm in combination with fMRI in young acutely underweight female patients with AN (n = 48) and age-matched healthy controls (HC; n = 48). Contrary to the hypothesis that individuals with AN would experience cognitive effort (operationalized as N-back task performance) as less costly than HC participants, groups did not differ in the subjective value (SV) of discounted rewards or in SV-related activation of brain regions involved in reward valuation. Rather, all group differences in both behavior (superior N-back performance in AN and associated effort ratings) and fMRI activation (increased SV-related frontoparietal activation during decision-making in AN even for easier choices) were more indicative of increased control. These findings suggest that while effort discounting may be relatively intact in AN, effort investment is high both when performing demanding tasks and during effort-based decision-making; highlighting cognitive overcontrol as an important therapeutic target. Future research should establish whether exaggerated control during effort-based decision-making persists after weight-recovery and explore learning the value of effort in AN with tasks involving disorder-relevant effort demands and rewards.

How exposure to natural scenes can promote weight control behaviors: A replication experiment

We performed a behavioral experiment to replicate published findings showing that exposure to natural scenes, i.e., viewing pictures of natural versus urban scenes, is associated with the choice of a “reward drink” containing less sugar (i.e., a healthier dietary choice). In total, 140 participants were randomly assigned to one of two study conditions (viewing natural or urban scenes). Participants completed a task measuring temporal discounting. Two measures related to weight control were used: the amount of ice cream consumed in a taste test (actual food consumption) and the amount of sugar chosen for the reward drink. Compared to the urban group, the natural scene group chose reward drinks with less sugar and ate less ice cream in the taste test. The discounting rate fully mediated the impact of exposure to natural versus urban scenes on the two measures. The association between experimental exposure to natural scenes and weight control behaviors was not contingent on the intention to lose weight or participant sex. This replication experiment suggests that exposure to natural scenes helps individuals to control sugar intake and food consumption.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors and health risk behaviors in American youth: a repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundUnhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) involve weight control strategies to reduce or maintain weight, such as fasting, taking diet pills, and vomiting or taking laxatives. UWCBs in teenagers can escalate into severe health issues such as eating disorders. Understanding the trends of UWCBs and their association with risk behaviors in teenagers is crucial, as early intervention and prevention strategies are pivotal.MethodsThis study utilized eight waves of the youth risk behavior surveillance system (YRBSS) data from 1999 to 2013. Our primary outcome was UWCBs engagement. We used multinomial logistic models to analyze the association between UWCBs and risk behaviors among adolescents including driving after alcohol consumption, suicide attempts, smoking, alcohol use, and sexual intercourse.ResultsAmong 109,023 participants, UWCBs prevalence was 16.64%. Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly associated with UWCBs risk. In addition, we found the intention of weight management confounded the relationship between BMI and UWCBs. The unadjusted logistic regression indicated a monotone-increasing association between BMI and the risk of UWCBs. In contrast, the adjusted logistic regression indicated a U-shaped curve with the lowest (BMI < 17 kg/m2) and highest (BMI > 30 kg/m2) BMI groups having significantly higher odds of engaging in UWCBs compared to the reference BMI group (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2).ConclusionsThe intention of weight management confounded the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the risk of UWCBs. These findings suggest that healthcare interventions for weight management behaviors should be tailored to adolescents with BMI ≥ 25 and BMI < 18.5.

Relationship Between Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors and Risk Behaviors of College Students

Relationship Between Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors and Risk Behaviors of College Students

A mixed-methods longitudinal examination of weight-related self-monitoring and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults

BackgroundWeight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) apps are used by millions, but the effects of their use remain unclear. This study examined longitudinal relationships between WRSM and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 138) were recruited from EAT 2010–2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study) to participate in a mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) longitudinal study to understand the impacts of WRSM. In 2018, participants (Mage=21.7 ± 1.9 years) reported motivations for use and types of WRSM apps used. Dependent variables collected in 2022 (Mage=25.7 ± 1.9 years) included past year total number of disordered weight control behaviors, disordered muscle building behaviors, compulsive exercise, and binge eating. Linear and logistic regressions were used adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index, and baseline disordered eating. Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants using WRSM apps for weight management demonstrated an increase in disordered weight control behaviors over time (β = 0.894, p = .012). Using WRSM apps for “healthy” eating was marginally associated with an increase in disordered weight control behaviors. (β = 0.673, p = .052). Qualitatively, participants reported varied temporality between WRSM and disordered eating, but believed that app use encouraged restriction/binge cycles and normalized disordered eating.ConclusionsFindings suggest there may be individual variation in the relationships between WRSM and disordered eating, but that using WRSM apps with the motivation of managing eating or weight may increase disordered eating in some. Additionally, WRSM apps may normalize or encourage disordered eating. Therefore, safeguards, including screening and monitoring, are needed to ensure WRSM does not cause or escalate harm among WRSM users.

The intersection of physical activity type and gender in patterns of disordered eating

Although previous research has linked disordered eating to physical activity involvement, more recent studies suggest that sports participation may be protective against disordered eating; however, due to inconsistent findings on how physical activity affects disordered eating and limited research comparing types of physical activity across weight control behaviours, our aim was to validate physical activity categorization across disordered eating components in both men and women. In this online study, 209 men and 539 women completed questionnaires assessing various components of disordered eating and overall physical activity participation. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent samples t-tests, multiple response crosstabulations, and linear regressions were calculated to achieve the aims of this study. Participation in various types of physical activity significantly predicted various components of disordered eating attitudes, behaviours, and cognitions. Specifically, for women, purging and restricting eating were associated with participation in ball games, while a focus on muscle building was associated with both ball games and weight-class physical activity. For men, body dissatisfaction and excessive exercise were associated with weight-class physical activity participation, while cognitive restraint and muscle building were related to aesthetic sports participation. Purging was associated with both aesthetic and weight-class physical activity, whereas restricting eating was related to weight-class physical activity and ball games. These inconsistencies underscore the need for further research to fully elucidate the relationship between participation in different types of physical activity and the various components of disordered eating.

Vitamin D Status and Behavioral Impulsivity in Anorexia Nervosa: Insights from a Longitudinal Study.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by extreme weight control behaviors and significant impacts on physical and psychosocial health. This study explores the relationship between vitamin D (Vit-D) levels and impulsivity in women with AN. Forty-six cisgender White women participants were assessed upon admission and before discharge from a specialized eating disorder treatment center, with an average duration of 2.5 ± 0.10 months. Methods included self-reported questionnaires and behavioral tasks to measure impulsivity, alongside serum Vit-D levels. Our results showed significant improvements in Vit-D levels and certain impulsivity measures, such as faster reaction times and fewer errors on the go/no-go task, correlating with higher Vit-D levels. However, no significant correlations were found between Vit-D levels and self-reported impulsivity. These findings suggest that adequate Vit-D levels may enhance cognitive functions related to impulse control in AN. Given this study's limitations, including its exclusive focus on women and small sample size, future research should involve larger, more diverse populations and randomized clinical trials to better understand the causal relationships and therapeutic potential of Vit-D in managing AN-related impulsivity.