Features associated with diet pill use in individuals with eating disorders

The relation between diet pill use and eating disorder (ED) diagnostic subtype, purging and compensatory behaviors, tobacco and substance use, personality characteristics, and Axis I and Axis II disorders was investigated. The sample included 1315 participants with ED diagnoses and diet pill use data from the multisite, Price Foundation Genetics Studies. Results indicated that diet pill use was associated with increased weight control behaviors, novelty seeking, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and borderline personality disorder, and negatively associated with narcissistic personality disorder. Findings suggest that certain clinical and personality variables distinguish individuals with EDs who use diet pills from those who do not. In the ED population, vigilant screening for diet pill use is an imperative clinical objective

Patterns of maternal feeding and child eating associated with eating disorders in the Norwegian mother and child cohort study (MOBA)

Mothers with eating disorders (EDs) and their children are an at-risk group. This study explored the impact of broadly defined EDs on maternal feeding practices and children's eating behaviors and psychological symptoms in a sample of 13,006 births in Norway. The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study ("Den norske mor og barn undersøkelsen" - MoBa) is a prospective population-based study of 100,000 births throughout Norway. We compared: (1) self-reported feeding attitudes and practices in mothers with EDs across diagnostic subtypes (anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and mothers with no EDs and (2) maternal reported eating behaviors and psychological symptoms in these mother's 36 month old children. ED status was measured at 6 months prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy (assessed 17 weeks prenatal). Self-reported maternal restrictive feeding was higher in mothers with BN and BED than those with no ED. Mothers with BED were more likely to endorse pushy feeding and use of food as a reward than those without an ED. Mothers with BN and BED were more likely to report infant eating problems than mothers without EDs. Compared to those with no ED, maternal reported symptoms of child anxiety were higher among those with BN, and child OCD symptoms were higher among those with BN and BED; no differences emerged regarding reported child depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that mothers with some EDs, on average, differ from mothers without in how they feed their children and that their children display different eating behaviors than children of mothers without eating disorders. The cycle of risk associated with transmission of ED from mother to child is a salient public health concern and an important approach to unravel the interactive effects of genetic and environmental influences

Ethnic and racial differences in body size perception and satisfaction

Body dissatisfaction in women in the United States is common. We explored how women from various racial and ethnic groups used figural stimuli by exploring differences in current and preferred silhouette, and their discrepancy. We surveyed 4,023 women ages 25-45 in an on-line investigation. Participants were identified using a national quota-sampling procedure. Asian women chose a smaller silhouette to represent their current body size, which did not remain significant after adjusting for self-reported BMI. After controlling for BMI, African American women selected a smaller silhouette than White women to represent their current size. Both African American and women reporting “Other” race preferred larger silhouettes than White women even after controlling for BMI. The discrepancy score revealed lower body dissatisfaction among African American than White women. Understanding factors that promote body satisfaction differentially across racial and ethnic groups could become a tool in appropriately tailored interventions designed to prevent eating disorders

Patterns and prevalence of disordered eating and weight control behaviors in women ages 25–45

The current study describes detailed eating behaviors, dieting behaviors, and attitudes about shape and weight in 4,023 women ages 25 to 45

Patterns of maternal feeding and child eating associated with eating disorders in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

The impact of eating disorders on maternal feeding practices and children's eating behaviors is not well understood. In the prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa),we compared self-reported feeding behavior in mothers with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and no eating disorders (No ED) as well as child eating behaviors and psychological symptoms. The sample was comprised of 13 006 women and their children from a prospective population-based study of 100,000 births throughout Norway. Eating disorder status was measured 6 months prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy. Maternal feeding, child eating, and psychological variables were reported by mothers when their child was 36 months old. Mothers with BN and BED were more likely to report restrictive feeding styles and infant eating problems than mothers without eating disorders. Regarding pressured feeding style, no significant differences emerged across groups. Differences in self-reported feeding styles and children’s eating behavior exist between mothers with and without eating disorders. Longitudinal follow-up will assist with determining the implications of feeding style on later growth trajectories and development

Barriers to identifying eating disorders in pregnancy and in the postnatal period: a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND: Eating Disorders (ED) are mental health disorders that typically effect women of childbearing age and are associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes. UK healthcare guidance recommends routine enquiry for current and past mental illness in antenatal and postnatal care for all women, and that pregnant women with a known ED are offered enhanced monitoring and support. Midwives and health visitors are ideally placed to identify and support women with ED as they are often the primary point of contact during the antenatal and postnatal periods. However, research on the barriers to identifying ED in the perinatal period is limited. This study aimed to understand the barriers to disclosure and identification of ED in pregnancy and postnatally as perceived by women with past or current ED, and midwives and health visitors working in the UK National Health Service. METHODS: Two studies were undertaken: mixed-measures survey of pregnant and postnatal women with current or past ED; focus groups with student and qualified midwives and health visitors. RESULTS: Five themes emerged on the barriers to disclosure in pregnancy as perceived by women: stigma, lack of opportunity, preference for self-management, current ED symptomatology and illness awareness. Four themes were identified on the barriers to identification of ED in pregnancy and in the postnatal period as perceived by health professionals: system constraints, recognition of role, personal attitudes, and stigma and taboo. CONCLUSIONS: Several barriers to the identification of ED during and after pregnancy were described, the main factors were stigma and poor professional training. Perinatal mental health is becoming increasingly prioritised within national policy initiatives; however, ED continue to be neglected and increased awareness is needed. Similarly, clinical guidance aimed at responding to the rising prevalence of obesity focus on changing nutrition but not on assessing for the presence of ED behaviours that might be affecting nutrition. Improving education and training for health professionals may contribute to reducing stigma and increase confidence in identifying ED. The barriers identified in this research need to be addressed if recognition and response to women with ED during the perinatal period is to improve

Russian roulette with unlicensed fat-burner drug 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) : evidence from a multidisciplinary study of the internet, bodybuilding supplements and DNP users

BACKGROUND: 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) poses serious health-risks to humans. The aims of this three-stage multidisciplinary project were, for the first time, to assess the risks to the general public from fraudulent sale of or adulteration/contamination with DNP; and to investigate motives, reasons and risk-management among DNP-user bodybuilders and avid exercisers. METHODS: Using multiple search-engines and guidance for Internet research, online retailers and bodybuilding forums/blogs were systematically explored for availability of DNP, advice offered on DNP use and user profiles. Ninety-eight pre-workout and weight-loss supplements were purchased and analysed for DNP using liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Psychosocial variables were captured in an international sample of 35 DNP users (26.06 ± 6.10 years, 94.3 % male) with an anonymous, semi-qualitative self-reported survey. RESULTS: Although an industrial chemical, evidence from the Internet showed that DNP is sold 'as is', in capsules or tablets to suit human consumption, and is used 'uncut'. Analytical results confirmed that DNP is not on the supplement market disguised under fictitious supplement names, but infrequently was present as contaminant in some supplements (14/98) at low concentration (<100mcg/kg). Users make conscious and 'informed' decisions about DNP; are well-prepared for the side-effects and show nonchalant attitude toward self-experimentation with DNP. Steps are often taken to ensure that DNP is genuine. Personal experience with performance- and appearance enhancing substances appears to be a gateway to DNP. Advice on DNP and experiences are shared online. The significant discrepancy between the normative perception and the actual visibility suggests that DNP use is-contrary to the Internet accounts-a highly concealed and lonesome activity in real life. Positive experiences with the expected weight-loss prevail over the negative experiences from side effects (all but two users considered using DNP again) and help with using DNP safely is considered preferable over scare-tactics. CONCLUSION: Legislation banning DNP sale for human consumption protects the general public but DNP is sold 'as is' and used 'uncut' by determined users who are not dissuaded from experimenting with DNP based on health threats. Further research with stakeholders' active participation is imperative for targeted, proactive public health policies and harm-reduction measures for DNP, and other illicit supplements