Approximations to an integrated model of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia among university male students in Argentina

Male body dissatisfaction has been associated with drive for muscularity and, in extreme cases, with the clinical condition referred to as muscle dysmorphia (MD). Although recent research suggests that MD is closely linked to eating disorders (EDs), it is classed as a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 university male students in Buenos Aires to examine common factors in the development of EDs and MD. Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the predictive value of the investigated variables. For both conditions, the models accounted for 48 percent of the variance and were predicted by a similar set of variables. The results support the inclusion of MD within the EDs spectrum

Weight bias internalization among adolescents in Spain: psychological correlates across gender diversity and weight status

Weight bias internalization refers to the negative weight-related attributions applied to oneself, but it does not just occur in the highest weight statuses, but rather exists across the entire weight spectrum. There is a negative impact associated to increase psychological problems in adults, however, it has been less studied among the adolescent Spanish population. In this study, we assess the relationship between the internalization of weight bias, social attitudes towards appearance, body appreciation and self-esteem, and potential differences regarding gender and weight status. A community sample of 1258 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 18 years old (46.3% male gender; Mage = 15.58; SD = 1.59; 49.5% female gender; Mage = 15.59; SD = 1.67; and 4.1% non-binary gender; Mage = 14.86; SD = 2.86) participated in the study. The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-4) were used. ANOVA’s test and bivariate correlations were performed. The results suggest that females (t = -.55; p ≤ .001) and non-binary adolescents (t = .64; p ≤ .01) have higher levels of WBI-M compared to males. Regarding weight status, the group with obesity (t = 1.39; p ≤ .001) and the group with overweight (t = -.81; p ≤ .001) have higher levels of WBI-M compared to the normal weight group. Significant correlations between WBI-M and the assessed psychological variables were found in the total sample, and across all-gender and weight categories, except for the underweight group. These results are a first approximation to the internalization of weight bias in a Spanish adolescent sample and highlight the need to introduce this concept in prevention and psychological interventions in school context.La internalización de los prejuicios de peso entre los y las adolescentes en España: correlatos psicológicos en función del género y el estatus de peso. La internalización de los prejuicios de peso hace referencia a las atribuciones negativas relacionadas con el peso aplicadas a uno mismo/a, lo cual no ocurre únicamente en las personas con un estatus de peso elevado, sino en todo el rango de pesos. En adultos, existe evidencia de su impacto negativo asociados a incrementar problemas psicológicos; aunque se ha estudiado en menor medida en la población adolescente. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la relación entre la internalización de prejuicios de peso, las actitudes socioculturales hacia la apariencia, la apreciación corporal y el nivel de autoestima, y analizar las posibles diferencias en función del género y del estatus de peso. Participaron 1.258 adolescentes españoles de una muestra comunitaria entre 12 y 18 años (46.3% género masculino; Medad = 15.58; DT = 1.59; 49,5% género femenino; Medad = 15.59; DT = 1.67; y 4.1% género no binario; Medad = 14.86; DT = 2.86). Se utilizaron la escala de internalización de prejuicios de peso modificado (WBIS-M), la escala de autoestima de Rosenberg (RSES) y el cuestionario de actitudes socioculturales hacia la apariencia (SATAQ-4). Se realizó la prueba ANOVA y correlaciones bivariadas. Los resultados sugieren que el grupo identificado con el género femenino (t = -.55; p ≤ .001) y con el no binario (t = .64; p ≤ .01) muestran niveles más altos de internalización del sesgo de peso en comparación con el género masculino. En cuanto al estado ponderal, el grupo con obesidad (t = 1.39; p ≤ .001) y el grupo con sobrepeso (t = -.81; p ≤ .001) presentan niveles más altos de internalización de prejuicios de peso en comparación con el grupo con normopeso. Se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre las puntuaciones del WBIS-M y las variables psicológicas evaluadas en la muestra total y en todas las categorías de género y peso, con la excepción del grupo de bajo peso. Estos resultados son una primera aproximación a la interiorización del estigma del peso en una muestra adolescente española y resalta la necesidad de incluir esta dimensión en la prevención de las alteraciones de la imagen corporal y los problemas psicológicos relacionados con la autoestima entre adolescentes en el contexto escolar

Conformidad con roles femeninos y conductas alimentarias inadecuadas en estudiantes de danza

The study examines the relationship between femininity and inadequate eating behaviors in female dance students. The Eating Attitudes Test and the Conformity to the Feminine Norms Inventory were administered to 50 medium and superior level dance students and 75 high school and university students. The results indicate that the group of dance students had a lower body mass index, were more satisfied with their weight and presented inadequate eating behaviors related to eating disorders to a lesser extent than the non-dance group. Moreover, dance students at greater risk of presenting inadequate eating attitudes conformed more to feminine norms. Exploring variables associated with the risk of developing an eating disorder, including the influence of gender roles, could mean an important step forward towards improving health and quality of life of the young women.El estudio analiza  la relación entre feminidady conductas alimentarias inadecuadas en mujeres estudiantes de danza. El Eating Attitudes Testy el Conformity to the Feminine Norms Inventory fueron administrados a 50 estudiantes de grado medio y superior de danza y 75 estudiantes de bachiller y universitarios. Los resultados indican que el grupo de estudiantes de danza tenía un índice de masa corporal más bajo, estaba más satisfecho con su peso y presentaba con menor frecuencia conductas alimentarias inadecuadas relacionadas con los trastornos alimentarios (TA) que el grupo de estudiantes universitarios. Además, las estudiantes de danza con mayor riesgo de presentar conductas alimentarias inadecuadas se conformaban en mayor grado con la feminidad. La importancia de examinar las variables asociadas con el riesgo de TA, incluyendo la identificación con los roles de género, podría ser un paso adelante para mejorar la salud y la calidad de vida de las mujeres jóvenes.

Cuestionario de Observación de la Conducta Bulímica (COBU): Desarrollo de un instrumento para cuidadores de pacientes con bulimia nerviosa

The aim was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bulimic Behaviour Observation Questionnaire (COBU), related to the symptoms observed in bulimia nervosa (BN) by caregivers. The sample consisted of 162 caregivers of patients with BN (n=126), anorexia nervosa (AN) (n = 26) and binge eating disorder (n =10). Exploratory analysis of the COBU revealed three factors: Overeating observation (α = 0.77), Restriction Interval Observation (α = 0.76) and Impulsivity Observation (α = 0.62). The questionnaire showed good convergent validity with the ABOS scale for carers (rho = 0.58), p < .01) and the BITE scale for patients (rho = 0.40, p < 0.01). The questionnaire discriminates between clinical diagnoses, except for the Impulsivity Observation subscale. It is recommended for use in the assessment by the family and to assist in recognizing and assessing changes in the symptoms.El objetivo fue desarrollar y evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Observación de la Conducta Bulímica (COBU), sobre la sintomatología observada en la bulimia nerviosa (BN) por los cuidadores. La muestra estaba constituida por 162 cuidadores de pacientes con BN (n = 126), anorexia nerviosa (n = 26) y trastorno de atracón  (n = 10). A través de un análisis exploratorio del COBU, se han aislado tres factores: Observación de Sobreingesta (α = 0,77), Observación de Periodos de Restricción (α = 0.76) y Observación de Impulsividad (α  = 0.62). El cuestionario muestra buena validez convergente con la escala ABOS para cuidadores (rho = 0.58,  p < 0.01) y con el cuestionario BITE para pacientes (rho = 0.40, p <  0.01). El COBU discrimina entre diagnósticos clínicos, excepto la subescala de Observación de Impulsividad. Se recomienda su uso en evaluación familiar para ayudarles a reconocer y valorar los cambios en la sintomatología

Valoración del estado de salud y psicopatología de los familiares en el trastorno del comportamiento alimentario : diferencias entre cuidadores principales y secundarios

The purpose of this work was to assess differences in general health and psychopathology between primary and secondary caregivers of patients with a diagnosis of eating disorder. A battery of questionnaires was administered to a sample of 186 family members (93 primary and 93 secondary caregivers). The results indicate that primary caregivers presented worse scores in general health, anxiety, depression and psychopathological symptoms, compared with the group of secondary caregivers. The frequency of subjects (primary versus secondary caregivers) who reached the cut-off point in the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) of psychopathology was similar for both groups. Even though the two caregiver groups presented a similar prevalence of psychopathology, the results suggest that mainly primary caregivers fi nd themselves in a situation with risk for their general mental health, anxiety and depression.El objetivo del estudio fue explorar las diferencias en el estado general de salud y psicopatología entre cuidadores principales y secundarios de pacientes con trastorno del comportamiento alimentario. Se suministró una batería de cuestionarios a una muestra de 186 familiares (93 cuidadores principales y 93 secundarios). Los resultados indicaron que los cuidadores principales presentaban peores valores en malestar psicológico, ansiedad, depresión, y síntomas psicopatológicos en comparación con el grupo de cuidadores secundarios. La frecuencia de sujetos (cuidadores primarios versus secundarios) que alcanzaron el punto de corte de gravedad psicopatológica (GSI del SCL-90-R) fue similar para ambos grupos. Aunque los dos grupos de cuidadores presentaban una prevalencia de psicopatología similar, los resultados sugieren que sobre todo los cuidadores primarios se encuentran en situación de riesgo para su salud mental general, ansiedad y depresión.

Linking Psychosocial Stress Events, Psychological Disorders and Childhood Obesity

There is scientific evidence that supports a strong association between early exposure to stressful life events and the presence of health complications throughout adulthood and, to a lesser extent, in adolescence and childhood. The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of Psychosocial Stress Events (PSE) and the prevalence of mental disorders in children from 8 to 12 years. The association between these factors and child weight measurements was analysed. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 children classified by weight status (obesity, overweight and normal-weight). The assessment was carried out in primary care centres and primary schools. An experienced team carried out a structured medical-psychosocial history and a semi-structured interview aimed at identifying an early diagnosis of psychological disorders. Children filled out a questionnaire to evaluate PSE. The obesity group presented the greatest accumulation of PSE and highest prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis, compared to overweight and normal-weight children. To exceed four or more stressful events was positively associated with psychological problems and child body mass index (BMI z-score). A predictive model confirmed the interaction between a larger number of PSE and the occurrence of a psychiatric diagnosis as variables that predispose children by 26.2 times more to increased weight status. In conclusion, the accumulation of PSE in the family, school and social environments of the children was related to greater psychological distress. If not managed, the likelihood of suffering from other health complications, such as excess weight2020-2

Contribution of microscopy for understanding the mechanism of action against trypanosomatids

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has proved to be a useful tool to study the ultrastructural alterations and the target organelles of new antitrypanosomatid drugs. Thus, it has been observed that sesquiterpene lactones induce diverse ultrastructural alterations in both T. cruzi and Leishmania spp., such as cytoplasmic vacuolization, appearance of multilamellar structures, condensation of nuclear DNA, and, in some cases, an important accumulation of lipid vacuoles. This accumulation could be related to apoptotic events. Some of the sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., psilostachyin) have also been demonstrated to cause an intense mitochondrial swelling accompanied by a visible kinetoplast deformation as well as the appearance of multivesicular bodies. This mitochondrial swelling could be related to the generation of oxidative stress and associated to alterations in the ergosterol metabolism. The appearance of multilamellar structures and multiple kinetoplasts and flagella induced by the sesquiterpene lactone psilostachyin C indicates that this compound would act at the parasite cell cycle level, in an intermediate stage between kinetoplast segregation and nuclear division. In turn, the diterpene lactone icetexane has proved to induce the external membrane budding on T. cruzi together with an apparent disorganization of the pericellar cytoskeleton. Thus, ultrastructural TEM studies allow elucidating the possible mechanisms and the subsequent identification of molecular targets for the action of natural compounds on trypanosomatids.Fil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Spina Zapata, Renata María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Patricia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Tonn, Carlos Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Sosa Escudero, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentin

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Comparison according to the phenotype and serostatus

Objective: To (1) determine the value of the recently proposed criteria of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder (NMOSD) that unify patients with NMO and those with limited forms (NMO/LF) with aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) antibodies; and (2) investigate the clinical significance of the serologic status in patients with NMO. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter study of 181 patients fulfilling the 2006 NMO criteria (n = 127) or NMO/LF criteria with AQP4-IgG (n = 54). AQP4-IgG and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G (MOG-IgG) antibodies were tested using cell-based assays. Results: Patients were mainly white (86%) and female (ratio 6.5:1) with median age at onset 39 years (range 10-77). Compared to patients with NMO and AQP4-IgG (n = 94), those with NMO/LF presentedmore often with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) (p<0.001), and had lower relapse rates (p = 0.015), but similar disability outcomes. Nonwhite ethnicity and optic neuritis presentation doubled the risk for developing NMO compared with white race (p = 0.008) or LETM presentation (p = 0.008). Nonwhite race (hazard ratio [HR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-13.6) and older age at onset were associated with worse outcome (for every 10-year increase, HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2). Patients with NMO and MOG-IgG (n = 9) had lower female: male ratio (0.8:1) and better disability outcome than AQP4-IgG-seropositive or double-seronegative patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: In patients with AQP4-IgG, the similar outcomes regardless of the clinical phenotype support the unified term NMOSD; nonwhite ethnicity and older age at onset are associated with worse outcome. Double-seronegative and AQP4-IgG-seropositive NMO have a similar clinical outcome. The better prognosis of patients with MOG-IgG and NMO suggests that phenotypic and serologic classification is useful