Body image dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptomatology: a latent structural equation modeling examination of moderators among adolescent girls

Introduction According to meta-analytic review, body dissatisfaction (BD) is recognized as the strongest risk factor of all forms of eating disorders (EDs).Yet, it has been found that BD is so prevalent among adolescent girls and young adult women that it is “normative”. The present study investigates why only a minority of adolescents girls report severe levels of ED symptomatology, when so many are body dissatisfied? Aims Five theoretically relevant variables are investigated as potential moderators of the BD-ED symptomatology relationship (drive for thinness and bulimic behaviours). Methods A sample of 401 Italian adolescent girls completed questionnaire measures of BD, drive for thinness, bulimic behaviours, as well as the proposed moderating variables of body checking, perfectionism, appearance control beliefs, internalization of socio-cultural standards of beauty, and self-esteem. Results Structural equation modeling with latent factor interactions indicated that body checking, perfectionism, appearance control beliefs and internalization of socio-cultural standards of beauty intensified the primary BD-ED symptomatology, such that BD was strongly related to drive for thinness and bulimic behaviours when levels of each moderator were higher. By contrast self-esteem buffered the deleterious effects of BD, such that when levels of the moderator were higher, the relationship between BD and each criterion variable representing female's ED symptomatology was weaker

Why Do Only a Minority of Men Report Severe Levels of Eating Disorder Symptomatology, When so Many Report Substantial Body Dissatisfaction? Examination of Exacerbating Factors

In recent years research employing female samples has indicated that although body dissatisfaction may be necessary for the onset of an eating disorder, it is not sufficient. This study examined body surveillance and difficulties in interpersonal domains (attachment anxiety and social anxiety) as potential moderators of the body dissatisfaction-eating disorder symptomatology relationship amongst Italian college men (N = 359). As expected, all examined variables were found to intensify this relationship such that body dissatisfaction was strongly related to men's eating disorder symptomatology when each moderator was at its highest level (i.e., 1 SD above the mean). Practical implications are discusse

Extension of objectification theory into the realm of body dysmorphic disorder

Background: According to objectification theory, repeated experiences of sexual objectification, illustrated by the portrayal of body in the visual media lead viewers to self–objectify or to adopt a view of themselves as objects whose value is based on physical appearance. Self-objectification is manifested as habitual body surveillance and leads to body shame, which is related to the etiology of eating disorders (ED). Although dysmorphic appearance concern (DAC) is the hallmark of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), several studies found that individuals with ED and BDD exhibit comparable DAC and highlighted how both disorders are variants of a body image disorder. If this is the case, factors that influence the development of ED should also influence the development of BDD. This study investigated whether objectification theory could be used to explain the etiology of BDD in both genders. Methods: A sample of 113 men and 119 women (Mage = 20.60) completed self-report questionnaires. Findings: Women obtained medium scores significantly higher in every variable, with the exception of DAC (both genders were similar). Exposure to objectifying media leads to body surveillance which in turn leads to body shame, that is related to the etiology of BDD in women. Path analyses indicated similar results for men and gender issues were found only in body surveillance if considered as mediator variables. Discussion: The similar levels of DAC may reflect the relatively equal rates of BDD among the genders. In conclusion, it is possible to admit that the objectification theory provides a useful framework for examining BD

Disordini alimentari maschili e orientamento sessuale: disamina della teoria dell’oggettivazione sessuale

Introduzione: La letteratura segnala che gli uomini omosessuali riportano livelli maggiori d’insoddisfazione corporea e disordini alimentari (DA) rispetto alla controparte eterosessuale, e comparabili con quelli riportati dalle donne. Secondo gli studiosi questo è probabilmente dovuto al fatto che i gay e le donne sono maggiormente predisposti ad auto-oggettivarsi, ovvero a vedere i loro copri come oggetti sessuali al fine di attirare l’attenzione di altri maschi e attrarli come potenziali partner. Lo studio esamina la teoria dell’oggettivazione (TO) come un framework idoneo per esplorare i potenziali meccanismi sottostanti che portano i gay a riportare elevati livelli di DA. Metodi: 313 maschi (51% eterosessuali; 49% gay; Metà=21.2) hanno compilato una batteria di questionari finalizzata alla rilevazione delle variabili di interesse. Risultati: Per i gay l’interiorizzazione degli standard socioculturali di bellezza conduce all’auto-oggettivazione, aumentando così l’ansia sociale e la vergogna per l’aspetto, che a loro volta sono collegate all’insorgenza di DA. Gli stessi risultati (seppur più deboli) sono emersi tra gli eterosessuali. I gay hanno ottenuto punteggi medi significativamente superiori in tutte le variabili esaminate e comparabili con quelli ottenuti in un campione italiano di donne. Differenze di orientamento sessuale sono emerse anche nel ruolo di vergogna e ansia sociale come variabili mediatrici. Conclusioni: La TO rappresenta un framework teorico utile per esaminare e comprendere le differenze di orientamento sessuale rispetto ai DA maschili

The role of cultural factors on eating and body-related disorders.

Several studies indicate that the media are a significant factor in the development and maintenance of eating and shape-related disorders. Objectification theory (Fredrickson and Roberts 1997) represents a cohesive framework to understand how sociocultural pressures are translated into psychological risk factors potentially promoting body image and eating problems. Effects of objectifying media on body image and on eating disorder symptomatology in an Italian sample have been examined. A sample of 113 men and 119 women (Mage = 20.60) completed questionnaire measures of exposure to Italian objectifying media, body surveillance, body shame and eating disorder symptomatology. As far as for women, the exposure to objectifying media leads to body surveillance which in turn leads to body shame, that is related to the etiology of disordered eating. Path analyses indicated similar results (even if weaker) for men. Women obtained medium scores significantly higher in every variable. We found gender issues in body surveillance and shame if considered as mediator variables. The results confirm that our society’s focus on external appearance has negative mental- health consequences for both men and women. In terms of practical implications, the data support the use of media literacy as a promising prevention approach, as well as the use of cognitive-behavioral and other integrated treatments for negative body image (e.g. virtual reality) which aim to decrease the central importance of appearance and thus reduce the risk for the development of eating disorders

Body image and personality disorders in cosmetic surgery settings

Objectives: Psychiatric disorders characterized by body image disorder (BID) such as body dysmorphic disorder, are relatively common in cosmetic surgery settings and several authors suggested the need for a preoperative clinical evaluation of Axis I and Axis II comorbidity. Study 1 investigated the prevalence of Personality Disorders (PDs) and Study 2 investigated the comorbidity between BID and PDs in patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Methods: Sixty two patients (study 1) scheduled for aesthetic rhinoplasty (62,9% F; Mage = 34.47 ± 10.69 ys) and 80 patients (study 2) scheduled for profile, breast and body contouring cosmetic surgery from two Italian hospitals (91% F; Mage = 32.68 ± 3.63) completed the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire - 4+ (PDQ-4+) with the exception of the items relating to two appendix PDs. Results: 19.6% and 17.5% of subjects (study 1 and 2, respectively), had at least 1 PD. In both studies, cluster B and C PDs are the most prevalent. In particular, the five most prevalent PDs were: obsessive-compulsive, avoidant, narcissistic, borderline and histrionic PD. In study 2, using the BUT cut-off score as a marker of clinical significance, 43.8% of subjects had a BID and all PD patients showed comorbidity with BID. Conclusion: Our study supports the evidence that PDs and BIDs are common in cosmetic surgery settings, as well as the importance of preoperative clinical evaluation of these disorders