Body-, eating-, and exercise-related social comparison behavior and disordered eating in college women in the U.S. and Iran: A cross-cultural comparison

Wearing of the hijab is associated with lower eating disorder (ED) attitudes and behaviors in women. However, this potential buffering role of the hijab has been questioned in countries, such as Iran, where its wearing is compulsory. Further, cross-cultural comparisons between disordered eating behaviors and correlates in Iranian and U.S. women are lacking. This study examines social-cognitive correlates of disordered eating in U.S. and Iranian women, comparing rates of ED- related social comparison and eating pathology. College women in the U.S. (n = 180) and Iran (n = 384) completed the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (BEECOM) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in one session. One-way analyses of covariance and partial correlations were used to test the mean differences and inter-correlations between the variables among U.S. and Iranian women. U.S. women endorsed higher BEECOM scores and higher levels of overvaluation of weight and shape and dietary restraint compared to Iranians. Most BEECOM subscales and disordered eating symptoms were inter-correlated in each culture. The tendency to engage in exercise comparison was not significantly correlated with excessive exercise for U.S. women. Correlations between variables were stronger for U.S. women compared to Iranian women. While the ED-related social comparison levels were higher for U.S. women, the typical Western patterns of social comparison and disordered eating extend to Iranian women. Eating disorder-related social comparison is a recommended clinical target in both Eastern and Western cultures. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

The validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (F-BEECOM) among Iranian male and female students

Body-, eating-, and exercise-related social comparison tendencies are implicated in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among Western women. To date, no published study examines eating- and exercise-related comparisons in a male or non-Western sample. The current series of studies fills these gaps in the literature by translating and validating the existing measure of these comparisons (the 18-item Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure BEECOM) in samples of Iranian men and women. In Studies 1 and 2, female (n = 284) and male (n = 302) participants completed the translated Farsi BEECOM. Scores were analyzed by exploratory factor analyses (EFA) revealing two different three factor, 15-item scale structures for men and women. In Studies 3 and 4, participants (female n = 384; male n = 253) completed measures of social comparison and psychological functioning in one session. These data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and Pearson correlations. Each CFA yielded adequately fitting models. Results support the use of two different 15-item Farsi BEECOM measures with women and men and highlight unique gender differences in social comparison tendencies. The resulting F-BEECOM demonstrates strong psychometric properties and will be a useful research tool in Iranian women and men. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Disordered eating, self-esteem, and depression symptoms in Iranian adolescents and young adults: A network analysis

Objective: The network theory of psychopathology examines networks of interconnections across symptoms. Several network studies of disordered eating have identified central and bridge symptoms in Western samples, yet network models of disordered eating have not been tested in non-Western samples. The current study tested a network model of disordered eating in Iranian adolescents and college students, as well as models of co-occurring depression and self-esteem. Method: Participants were Iranian college students (n= 637) and adolescents (n = 1,111) who completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II). We computed six Glasso networks and identified central and bridge symptoms. Results: Central disordered eating nodes in most models were a desire to lose weight and discomfort when seeing one's own body. Central self-esteem and depression nodes were feeling useless and self-dislike, respectively. Feeling like a failure was the most common bridge symptom between disordered eating and depression symptoms. With exception of a few differences in some edges, networks did not significantly differ in structure. Discussion: Desire to lose weight was the most central node in the networks, which is consistent with sociocultural theories of disordered eating development, as well as prior network models from Western-culture samples. Feeling like a failure was the most central bridge symptom between depression and disordered eating, suggesting that very low self-esteem may be a shared correlate or risk factor for disordered eating and depression in Iranian adolescents and young adults. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC

The validation of a Farsi version of the Loss of Control over Eating Scale (F-LOCES) among Iranian adolescent boys and girls

Objective: Few studies have been conducted on disordered eating in Iran, with limited research on loss of control (LOC) eating in adolescents. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the validation of a Farsi version of the Loss of Control over Eating Scale (F-LOCES) among Iranian adolescents. Method: Participants were 504 boys (Age mean = 15.35; Body Mass Index zBMI mean = 0.01) and 607 girls (Age mean = 15.71; zBMI mean = �0.01) who completed a battery of questionnaires including the F-LOCES. Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and bi-factor model indicated that the F-LOCES had good fit to the data and supported a three-factor model. Additionally, the scale was invariant across all the groups. Girls had higher scores than boys on the behavioral subscale. Additionally, individuals with elevated eating pathology and zBMI endorsed higher LOC eating. As expected, the F-LOCES scores were positively associated with zBMI, disordered eating symptoms, and depression, and negatively associated with self-esteem. Discussion: Findings suggest that the F-LOCES is a reliable and valid measure of LOC eating in Iranian adolescents. The availability of the F-LOCES will enable researchers to examine the developmental trajectories, predictors, and outcomes of LOC eating. © 202