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The relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for predicting onset of disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms over 15 years.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to examine the relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation, and preoccupation with body weight and shape in predicting increases in disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms from adolescence through to early adulthood. METHOD:The study involved 1,830 participants (60% female) who completed the Project EAT survey during adolescence (mean age?=?14.90?years, SD?=?1.65?years) and again, 15?years later, in early adulthood. Participants provided assessments of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape, as well as disordered eating and depressive symptoms at both time points. RESULTS:The three aspects of body image had distinct patterns of association with the outcomes both concurrently and longitudinally. Dissatisfaction predicted depressive symptoms as well as a wide range of disordered eating outcomes, including dieting, unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs), and binge eating, particularly in female participants. Preoccupation was associated with all of these disordered eating behaviors (but not with depressive symptoms) and was notably the strongest predictor of dieting and UWCBs in female participants. Overvaluation was associated with both disordered eating and depressive symptoms, although typically was a less potent predictor of difficulties than the other aspects of body image. DISCUSSION:Dissatisfaction, overvaluation, and preoccupation are related but make distinct contributions to clinically significant outcomes. Models of eating disorders should move beyond focusing exclusively on dissatisfaction or overvaluation toward a broader conceptualisation of body image. Findings from this study particularly suggest the importance of considering preoccupation with weight and shape.

SUBMITTER: Sharpe H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6289784 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for predicting onset of disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms over 15 years.

Sharpe Helen H Griffiths Scott S Choo Tse-Hwei TH Eisenberg Marla E ME Mitchison Deborah D Wall Melanie M Neumark-Sztainer Dianne D

The International journal of eating disorders 20180907 10

<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of this study was to examine the relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation, and preoccupation with body weight and shape in predicting increases in disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms from adolescence through to early adulthood.<h4>Method</h4>The study involved 1,830 participants (60% female) who completed the Project EAT survey during adolescence (mean age = 14.90 years, SD = 1.65 years) and again, 15 years later, in early adulthood. Partici ...[more]

PMID: 30194690

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Project description:ObjectiveLittle is known about how female adolescent ballet dancers-a group at high-risk for the development of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders-construct body ideals, and how their social identities interact with body ideals to confer risk for disordered eating. Using a novel body figure behavioral task, this study investigated (1) whether degree of body dissatisfaction corresponded to severity of disordered eating thoughts and behaviors, and (2) how ballet identity corresponded with ideal body figure size among adolescent ballet dancers.MethodsParticipants were 188 female ballet dancers ages 13-18 years who completed self-report measures of study constructs and the behavioral task.ResultsLinear regression models indicated that more severe body dissatisfaction was positively associated with increased disordered eating thoughts and behaviors (p < .19), except for muscle building (p = .32). We also found that identifying more strongly as a ballet dancer was correlated with having a smaller ideal body size (p = .017).ConclusionFindings from this study suggest desire to achieve smaller body sizes is correlated with more severe disordered eating endorsement and stronger ballet identity. Instructors and clinicians may consider assessing the extent to which individuals identify as a ballet dancer as a risk factor for disordered eating and encourage adolescent dancers to build and nurture other identities beyond ballet.Public significanceEating disorders are debilitating conditions that can lead to malnutrition, social isolation, and even premature death. Though disordered eating thoughts and behaviors can affect anyone, adolescents in physically demanding and body image-driven activities including ballet dance are particularly vulnerable. Investigating how factors like body dissatisfaction and strength of identity are associated with disordered eating among high-risk groups is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention methods that minimize harm.

Dataset Information

The relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for predicting onset of disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms over 15 years.

Publications

The relative importance of dissatisfaction, overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for predicting onset of disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms over 15 years.

Similar Datasets

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