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Facial femininity and perceptions of eating disorders: A reverse-correlation study.

ABSTRACT: Eating disorders are prevalent in college students but college students are not accurate in identifying the presence of eating disorders (ED) especially when race is involved. Much has been researched about diagnostic ability in vignette form, but little outside of this. For example, it is not known how facial features, such as perceived femininity, may affect observers' beliefs about the likelihood of disordered eating depending on race. In the present study, we examined how biases regarding facial appearance and disordered eating may differ depending on the race of face images. Using a technique called reverse correlation, we estimated the image templates associated with perceived likelihood of disordered eating using both White and Black Faces. Specifically, we recruited 28 college students who categorized White and Black faces according to perceived likelihood of an eating disorder diagnosis in the presence of image noise. Subsequently, we asked Amazon Mechanical Turk participants to categorize the resulting race-specific face templates according to perceived ED likelihood and femininity. The templates corresponding to a high likelihood of an ED diagnosis were distinguished from low-likelihood images by this second independent participant sample at above-chance levels. For Black faces, the templates corresponding to a high likelihood of an ED diagnosis were also selected as more feminine than low-likelihood templates at an above-chance level, whereas there was no such effect found for White faces. These results suggest that stereotyped beliefs about both femininity and the likelihood of disordered eating may interact with perceptual processes.

SUBMITTER: Douglas V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8345843 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundFeeding and eating disorders present with a variety of medical complications, some of which may be life-threatening. Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians may interact with patients with eating disorders, however, EM physicians' knowledge and perceptions of resources for treating patients with eating disorders have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to explore previous training/education, perceptions of available resources, and educational needs in treating eating disorders in practicing EM physicians.MethodsAn investigator-developed survey was used in this cross-sectional pilot study, distributed to EM Residency Program Coordinators in the United States to distribute to EM physicians and residents. The survey assessed EM physicians' previous training and education in treating and diagnosing eating disorders. The primary outcomes assessed were participants' previous training/education in eating disorders, knowledge of local resources for patients, and educational needs on a variety of topics related to adult and adolescent eating disorders. Data were described descriptively and SAS 9.4 was used to analyze data.ResultsOf the 162 participants, just 1.9% completed a rotation on eating disorders during residency. Ninety-three percent were unfamiliar with the American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders; 95% were unfamiliar with the publication, "Emergency Department management of patients with eating disorders" by Trent et al. The majority were not aware of resources for patients with eating disorders including community and online support groups, the National Eating Disorders Association, and local treatment programs. At least 50% agreed additional education on 15 of the 19 topics examined would be useful; 85% agreed to wanting education on the assessment of patients with eating disorders in the Emergency Department.ConclusionsMost EM physicians lack training in eating disorders and knowledge of resources available for patients post-Emergency Department discharge. EM physicians agree additional education on a number of topics would be beneficial, particularly assessment of eating disorders in the Emergency Department, medical complications of eating disorders, and hospital admission criteria for those with eating disorders.

Project description:BackgroundAnorexia nervosa is one of the more severe eating disorders, which is characterized by reduced food intake, leading to emaciation and psychological maladjustment. Treatment outcomes are often discouraging, with most interventions displaying a recovery rate below 50%, a dropout rate from 20% to 50%, and a high risk of relapse. Patients with anorexia nervosa often display anxiety and aversive behaviors toward food. Virtual reality has been successful in treating vertigo, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress syndrome, and could potentially be used as an aid in treating eating disorders.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usability of an immersive virtual reality technology administered through an app for use by patients with eating disorders.MethodsTwenty-six participants, including 19 eating disorder clinic personnel and 5 information technology personnel, were recruited through emails and personal invitations. Participants handled virtual food and utensils on an app using immersive virtual reality technology comprising a headset and two hand controllers. In the app, the participants learned about the available actions through a tutorial and they were introduced to a food challenge. The challenge consisted of a meal type (meatballs, potatoes, sauce, and lingonberries) that is typically difficult for patients with anorexia nervosa to eat in real life. Participants were instructed, via visual feedback from the app, to eat at a healthy rate, which is also a challenge for patients. Participants rated the feasibility and usability of the app by responding to the mHealth Evidence Reporting and Assessment checklist, the 10-item System Usability Scale, and the 20-point heuristic evaluation questionnaire. A cognitive walkthrough was performed using video recordings of participant interactions in the virtual environment.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 37.9 (SD 9.7) years. Half of the participants had previous experience with virtual reality. Answers to the mHealth Evidence Reporting and Assessment checklist suggested that implementation of the app would face minor infrastructural, technological, interoperability, financial, and adoption problems. There was some disagreement on intervention delivery, specifically regarding frequency of use; however, most of the participants agreed that the app should be used at least once per week. The app received a mean score of 73.4 (range 55-90), earning an overall "good" rating. The mean score of single items of the heuristic evaluation questionnaire was 3.6 out of 5. The lowest score (2.6) was given to the "accuracy" item. During the cognitive walkthrough, 32% of the participants displayed difficulty in understanding what to do at the initial selection screen. However, after passing the selection screen, all participants understood how to progress through the tasks.ConclusionsParticipants found the app to be usable and eating disorder personnel were positive regarding its fit with current treatment methods. Along with the food item challenges in the current app, participants considered that the app requires improvement to offer environmental and social (eg, crowded room vs eating alone) challenges.

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Facial femininity and perceptions of eating disorders: A reverse-correlation study.

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