Search

Previous research has shown that different ways of interacting on social media can lead to various psychological outcomes for users. Specifically, the passive use of social media has been linked to body image concerns. However, the factors that influence this relationship are not fully understood, particularly the moderating role of sense of self (SOS). We aimed to investigate the mediating role of physical appearance comparison in and the moderating effect of SOS on the relationship between passive social network use (PSNU) and body image concerns. We conducted an investigation with 574 students (Mage = 16.32, SDage = 1.26) in Vietnam. Using structural equation modeling, we found that physical appearance comparison mediates the relationship between PSNU and body image concerns, with SOS serving as a significant moderator in this relationship after controlling for several important covariates, including active social network usage. Notably, the impact of PSNU on body image concerns is stronger for individuals with a weak SOS than for those with a strong SOS. Our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the association between PSNU and body image concerns, particularly among adolescents. We also clarified some limitations of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate associations between body image concerns (BICs) measured by the implantable cardioverter defibrillator body image concerns questionnaire (ICD-BICQ) and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs), in a cohort of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Methods and results In a cross-sectional survey, we included patients > 18 years implanted with a first-time ICD (VVI, DDD, and cardiac re-synchronization therapy defibrillator) who had lived with their ICD from 3–24 months. They completed the 39-item ICD-BICQ together with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Type D Scale, Health Status Questionnaire, and the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey. Data were analysed using linear regression to compare personality constructs between patients with and without BICs. Logistic repression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to predict patients with BICs based on other PROs. A total of 330 patients completed the survey. Five patients were excluded due to re-operations leaving 325 patients in the analyses. A total of 20% reported BICs at the recommended cut-off at 36 points. Patients with BICs reported higher anxiety and depression levels, lower device acceptance and health status, and had a Type D personality as compared to patients without BICs. Florida Patient Acceptance Survey was moderately able to predict BICs, while other PROs only had limited ability to predict BICs. Conclusion Patients with BICs reported poorer PROs. The PRO instruments were not able to predict patients with BICs, indicating that the ICD-BICQ provides independent relevant clinical information. In clinical practice, healthcare professionals can use the ICD-BICQ to identify and obtain information on possible BICs. The ICD-BICQ can also be used to evaluate new operation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos.info is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Facultad de Comunicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sexual shame negatively affects women's sexual functioning, impacting arousal, desire, orgasm, and pain. This review summarizes the existing literature, highlighting the multiple, interacting factors contributing to sexual shame including sociocultural messages, body and genital self-image, sexual self-schemas, sexual pain, comorbid chronic disease, illness, medical disorders, and sexual trauma. The relationship between sexual shame and sexual functioning is often reciprocal, demonstrating sexual shame as a potential causal and maintaining mechanism underlying women's sexual difficulties. We present a model proposing the mechanisms by which sexual shame affects sexual functioning, underscoring the need for comprehensive approaches to mitigate the impact of sexual shame and foster sexual well-being for women. Growing research emphasizes emotional processes in models of sexual function, and emotional pathways underlying sexual difficulties and dysfunction. Given the impact of sexual shame on women's sexual functioning, therapeutic approaches that target sexual shame are recommended to help alleviate difficulties with sexual arousal, desire, orgasm, and sexual pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students are at a critical stage of exploring identity and romantic relationships, where they become more sensitive to their appearance, shape, and posture, and are more likely to be dissatisfied with perceived flaws or deficiencies in their body image, i.e. body image concerns. However, little is known about how body image concerns among college students may affect them to engage in healthy Heterosexual interpersonal activities or further cultivate intimate relationships. This study investigated the mediating role of body esteem and the moderating effect of gender in the relationship between body image concerns and heterosexual interaction anxiety. Based on a field survey of 838 college students, the results showed that: (1) body image concerns positively predicted college students’ heterosexual interaction anxiety; (2) body esteem played a partial mediating role between body image concerns and heterosexual interaction anxiety; and (3) gender moderated the association between body esteem and body esteem. Compared with males, the effect of body image concerns on body esteem among females was stronger. These findings explained the generation of heterosexual interaction anxiety and provided theoretical guidance for prevention and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genitopelvic pain following childbirth is common and likely to challenge the psychological, relational, and sexual well-being of new mothers. While genitopelvic pain generally decreases during the postpartum period, personal and interpersonal characteristics may explain why genitopelvic pain persists beyond the period of physical recovery in some mothers. Body image concerns, increased stress, and relationship challenges would be particularly salient during pregnancy and the postpartum period, which could put new mothers at greater risk of sexual difficulties. Also, mothers may display a negative appraisal regarding genitopelvic pain and doubt their ability to cope with it, which may contribute to the pain. Aim: The current study aimed to examine the role of perfectionism, body image concerns, and perceived intimacy in the occurrence and change in genitopelvic pain in new mothers in postpartum. Methods: A total of 211 new mothers and their partners were recruited for a larger prospective dyadic study on the transition to parenthood. Outcomes: Mothers completed a single item assessing genitopelvic pain, in addition to brief validated questionnaires measuring perfectionism, body image concerns, and perceived couple intimacy during pregnancy and at 4, 8, and 12 months postpartum. Results: Five multilevel modeling analyses revealed that adaptive perfectionism, maladaptive perfectionism, and body image concerns were associated with a higher occurrence of genitopelvic pain from 4 to 12 months postpartum. Mothers' and partners' perceived intimacy was not significantly related to new mothers' genitopelvic pain. None of the predictors modified the trajectory of genitopelvic pain over time. Clinical Implications: Raising awareness among health care professionals regarding the role of perfectionism and body image concerns in genitopelvic pain may help them identify new mothers at risk of chronic genitopelvic pain, while offering a new avenue of intervention. Strengths and Limitations: There has been little research examining the role of perfectionism, body image concerns, and intimacy in postpartum genitopelvic pain. Based on a longitudinal prospective approach, this study identified perfectionism and body image concerns as significant predictors of postpartum genitopelvic pain. However, prepregnancy genitopelvic pain, genitopelvic pain intensity, and sexual distress were not measured. Conclusion: Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and body image concerns are associated with new mothers' genitopelvic pain up to 12 months postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularity of cosmetic surgery procedures has considerably increased in the past decades. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of physical appearance comparisons between perceived invalidation of emotion (PIE) and attitude towards cosmetic surgery. A non-probability purposive sample of female undergraduate university students (N = 200), between the ages of 18–23 (Mage= 21.08, SD = 1.15), was recruited from both public and private universities across Lahore, Pakistan. All participants completed The Perceived Invalidation of Emotion Scale, The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised and The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. Findings showed a significant positive relationship between PIE and attitude towards cosmetic surgery across all its dimensions namely social, intrapersonal and personal consideration of surgery; as well as, a significant positive relationship between physical appearance comparisons and all dimensions of attitude towards cosmetic surgery. It was also found that physical appearance comparisons play a mediating role between PIE and all dimensions of attitude towards cosmetic surgery except the intrapersonal. The research results provide beneficial implications for mental health professionals where these findings can help them understand their client's emotional concerns including appearance comparisons regarding cosmetic surgery. They can in turn help clients make informed decisions, without inappropriate affective forecasting and with independence from appearance and approval of others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise is a widely recommended practice for promoting health, but for some individuals, this activity can result in pathological and morbid behaviour. Therefore, the study of the factors contributing to the onset, development, and progression of exercise addiction is particularly relevant. Within this framework, the present study assessed the effect of family functioning, body image concerns, age, and gender on exercise addiction. A sample of 300 regular exercisers (Mage = 30.3 years, SD = 11.6; 69.7% females, 30.3% males) participated in the study and completed the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales–IV, Body Image Concern Inventory, and Exercise Addiction Inventory. Data were analysed by implementing a series of moderated moderated-mediations. Results showed that three significant models were relevant. First, positive associations of disengaged (p < 0.05), enmeshed (p < 0.05), and rigid (p < 0.01) family functioning with exercise addiction were found. Furthermore, body image concerns mediated all these relationships, and the interaction between gender and age significantly moderated the effects of body image concerns on exercise addiction (p < 0.05). Such data may be useful for a deeper understanding of the variables associated with the development of exercise addiction, suggesting key elements on which it might be useful to focus in clinical and/or preventive activity.

Physical exercise is a widely recommended practice for promoting health, but for some individuals, this activity can result in pathological and morbid behaviour. Therefore, the study of the factors contributing to the onset, development, and progression of exercise addiction is particularly relevant. Within this framework, the present study assessed the effect of family functioning, body image concerns, age, and gender on exercise addiction. A sample of 300 regular exercisers (Mage = 30.3 years, SD = 11.6; 69.7% females, 30.3% males) participated in the study and completed the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales–IV, Body Image Concern Inventory, and Exercise Addiction Inventory. Data were analysed by implementing a series of moderated moderated-mediations. Results showed that three significant models were relevant. First, positive associations of disengaged (p < 0.05), enmeshed (p < 0.05), and rigid (p < 0.01) family functioning with exercise addiction were found. Furthermore, body image concerns mediated all these relationships, and the interaction between gender and age significantly moderated the effects of body image concerns on exercise addiction (p < 0.05). Such data may be useful for a deeper understanding of the variables associated with the development of exercise addiction, suggesting key elements on which it might be useful to focus in clinical and/or preventive activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Internet usage is widely increasing among the new generation, shaping a crucial aspect of people's lives. Social media use can influence body image concerns, social isolation, and social mood. This study aims to assess body image concerns, social isolation, and mood based on the amount of social media use. Methods: This study was conducted using a descriptive and correlational method. The study population included all people aged between 20 and 40 years in Shiraz City, Iran, among which 311 people (191 women and 119 men) were selected by the convenience sampling method. The tools used in this study were the body image concerns inventory (BICI, 2005), the social isolation assessment standard questionnaire (SIASI, 2013), the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS, 1988), and the social media addiction scale (SMAS_AF, 2017). Correlation coefficients (using the SPSS software) and structural equation modeling analysis (using AMOS statistical software) were employed to investigate the variables of the social isolation prediction model. Results: The results of the study showed that mood (ß=0.15, P=0.007) and use of social media (ß=0.19, P=0.0001) can predict social isolation with the mediating role of body image concerns (ß=0.18, P=0.001). The results showed that the mood and use of social media can predict social isolation both directly and with the mediation of body image con. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, mood, and use of social media can predict social isolation with the mediating role of body image concerns. Negative moods can make people sensitive to their body image. People have a distorted perception of their body image and this concern leads to social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inefficient coping styles and concern about body image are among the components that affect obese people with binge-eating disorders and lead to unhealthy eating behaviors. However, deep psychological interventions that focus on these components have received less attention. Considering that schema therapy is an integrated, deep, and effective treatment, the question of the current research is whether this intervention can affect coping styles and body image concerns in obese people with binge-eating disorders. Aims: The purpose of the study was the effectiveness of schema therapy on coping styles and body image concerns in obese people with binge eating disorder. Methods: The design of the current research was semi-experimental with a single-subject structure, including baseline, intervention and follow-up. The statistical population of the study included all obese women suffering from overeating who referred to a slimming clinic in Tehran in 2021-2022. The research sample consisted of eight obese women. The research tools were Young and Rygh's extreme compensation questionnaire (1994), Young and Rygh's avoidance questionnaire (1994), Fairburn’s eating disorder symptoms questionnaire (2008) and semi-structured interview and schema therapy protocol (Simpson, 2018). For data analysis, percentage of non-overlapping data, improvement percentage, valid change index and trend chart were used. Results: Indicators of improvement percentage, percentage of non-overlapping data, and reliable change index in the avoidance variable for the second, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth participants; In the variable of extreme compensation for the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth participants and in the variable of physical concerns, all the participants had a significant improvement in the intervention and follow-up stage (they had an RCI higher than 1.96), which indicates The efficacy and stability of schema therapy results. Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of schema therapy on extreme avoidance and compensation styles and body image concerns, it is suggested to pay attention to the physical components in the treatment of obese people suffering from overeating, to psychological components such as maladaptive schemas and coping styles arising from them.

Purpose: As in nonsurgical weight loss populations, body image may partly explain differences in weight loss outcomes after surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the prospective association between body image and weight loss in a longitudinal cohort of patients up to 3 years after bariatric metabolic surgery. Materials and Methods: The BODY-Q self-report questionnaire was used to assess body image. Linear mixed models evaluated associations of baseline body image with weight loss in the first year as well as associations of body image at 12 months and first-year change in body image with weight loss 12 to 36 months after surgery. Results: Available body image data included 400 (100%), 371 (93%), 306 (77%), 289 (72%), and 218 (55%) patients at baseline and 4, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Body image scores improved significantly until 12 months, followed by a gradual decline. Scores remained improved in comparison to baseline (β = 31.49, 95% CI [27.8, 35.2], p <.001). Higher baseline body image was associated with less weight loss during the first year, and the effect size was trivial (ß = −0.05, 95% CI [−0.09, −0.01], p =.009). Body image and change in body image were not associated with weight loss 12 to 36 months after surgery. Conclusion: Body image improved after bariatric metabolic surgery. Although no clinically relevant associations of body image with weight loss were demonstrated, the gradual decline in body image scores underlines the importance of long-term follow-up with regular assessment of this aspect of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determining the difference in the difficulty of emotion regulation, early maladaptive schemas and body image concerns in girls with and without overweight. The research method was comparative. The statistical population of single girls aged 18 to 25 were members of social networks in Tehran in 2021. The research tool was distributed among 485 people. 202 people were selected by purposeful sampling based on body mass index. The research tools included Gratz and Roemer's Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale, Young's Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire, and Littleton's Body Image Concern Inventory. The data was analyzed by covariance analysis. The results showed that the average difficulty in emotion regulation, early maladaptive schemas and concern about body image is different in girls with and without overweight, and the overweight status is the ability to explain the variance of the difference in the difficulty of emotion regulation, early maladaptive schemas and concern about body image between the two groups. It was suggested; counselors and therapists should pay attention to the difficulty of emotional regulation, early maladaptive schemas and concern about people's body image in the treatment of psychological problems of overweight.

Plain English summary Embodiment illusions involve the temporary experience of owning another person’s body or body parts. These illusions have been studied in people with eating disorders (EDs) as a means for (i) better understanding their self-perception issues (e.g., they tend to see their own appearance as being too big), and (ii) improving these self-perception issues (i.e., does experiencing embodiment reduce distortions involving body size?). ‘Classic’ embodiment illusions typically require participants to simultaneously experience visual, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory stimulation. However, COVID -19 pandemic restrictions have limited research in face-to-face settings which poses a challenge for the classic approach, mainly in relation to tactile input which would usually be provided by a researcher. A ‘tactile-reduced’ approach for eliciting embodiment illusions would, therefore, enable this field of research to continue, which in turn may benefit people with EDs. While several studies in non-clinical populations have demonstrated the effectiveness of a tactile-reduced approach, understanding surrounding this approach in ED populations is lacking. In this review, we offer a prospective set of suggestions regarding how tactile-reduced embodiment may be conducted with ED populations, both in terms of better understanding their (problematic) self-perception, and how such concerns may be improved.

Plain English summary Adolescence is a time of rapid emotional and physical development when beliefs about one’s weight and shape are established. Parents are key influencers of adolescent beliefs and behaviours. This study aimed to consider associations between perceived positive and negative parental comments on weight/shape and eating, with sons’ and daughters’ psychological distress and behaviours associated with eating disorders. We found all perceived negative comments from either parent were associated with poorer adolescent mental health, both specific to behaviours associated with eating disorders and general distress. When we considered the strength of the relationship between parental comments and different influences such as biological sex, developmental stage, BMI percentile and psychological distress, we expected to find that BMI percentile and psychological distress would influenced the findings, and they did. When we considered the relationship with them included, perceived maternal negative comments continued to have a negative influence on behaviours related to eating disorders. Therefore, our findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of potential negative impacts within family systems of comments around weight/shape and eating in these key formative years.

Background: Inefficient coping styles and concern about body image are among the components that affect obese people with binge-eating disorders and lead to unhealthy eating behaviors. However, deep psychological interventions that focus on these components have received less attention. Considering that schema therapy is an integrated, deep, and effective treatment, the question of the current research is whether this intervention can affect coping styles and body image concerns in obese people with binge-eating disorders. Aims: The purpose of the study was the effectiveness of schema therapy on coping styles and body image concerns in obese people with binge eating disorder. Methods: The design of the current research was semi -experimental with a single -subject structure, including baseline, intervention and follow-up. The statistical population of the study included all obese women suffering from overeating who referred to a slimming clinic in Tehran in 2021 -2022. The research sample consisted of eight obese women. The research tools were Young and Rygh's extreme compensation questionnaire (1994), Young and Rygh's avoidance questionnaire (1994), Fairburn’s eating disorder symptoms questionnaire (2008) and semi -structured interview and schema therapy protocol (Simpson, 2018). For data analysis, percentage of non -overlapping data, improvement percentage, valid change index and trend chart were used. Results: Indicators of improvement percentage, percentage of non -overlapping data, and reliable change index in the avoidance variable for the second, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth participants; In the variable of extreme compensation for the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth participants and in the variable of physical concerns, all the participants had a significant improvement in the intervention and follow -up stage (they had an RCI higher than 1.96), which indicates The efficacy and stability of schema therapy results. Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of schema therapy on extreme avoidance and compensation styles and body image concerns, it is suggested to pay attention to the physical components in the treatment of obese people suffering from overeating, to psychological components such as maladaptive schemas and coping styles arising from them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weight concerns are prevalent among Black adolescents and have negative ramifications for well‐being. We examined racial identity and racial socialization as potential sociocultural resources that might mitigate the development of weight concerns among Black adolescents, and we evaluated gender differences in these links. Participants were 132 Black youth (45% female; M age = 14.33 years at Time 1) who completed two annual home interviews. Results revealed that for adolescents with high (but not low) body mass indices (BMI), racial identity may be protective against developing weight concerns. Further, fathers' (but not mothers') racial socialization was protective against weight concerns for girls with high BMI. Findings highlight the importance of sociocultural contexts toward refining theory and advancing evidence‐based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Body image concerns have been widely documented in the literature as one reason why most women shorten the breastfeeding duration of their infants. Negative body image concerns among breastfeeding mothers may lead to depressive symptoms. There is a paucity of literature on how body image affects the breastfeeding practices of nurses and midwives. Therefore, this study explored the perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on how their body image affected their breastfeeding practices. Methods A qualitative design was used in this study. Five focus group discussions were conducted with each group having five members. The study was conducted in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana between November and December of 2020. Participants were recruited into the study using a purposive sampling method. Focus group sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a content analysis. Results Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: body image concerns and breastfeeding, sociocultural pressures and breastfeeding and coping strategies. Participants had concerns regarding weight gain due to the need to eat adequately while breastfeeding. Body image concerns included increase in abdominal size, sagging breasts and generalized weight gain. These concerns and pressures negatively affected the breastfeeding practices of participants. Body image concerns reflected sociocultural pressures such as negative comments from loved ones and in the social media. The coping strategies adopted by the mothers were self-motivation and the love they had for their children. Conclusions The perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on the ways their body image affected their breastfeeding practices identified the need for support in order to successfully breastfeed.

Objective: Body image disturbance is crucial in the psychopathology of binge-eating disorder (BED). According to cognitive models of eating disorders, biased attentional processes contribute to the development and maintenance of body image concerns. Mirror exposure constitutes an effective method to improve body image. The present study investigated if stand-alone mirror exposure reduces body image concerns, eating pathology as well as body-related attention processes in BED. Method: Women with BED were assigned to an intervention group (IG; four sessions of mirror exposure) or a waiting list control group (WL; 4 weeks waiting period). Prior to and after the intervention/waiting period, body image concerns, and attentional processes toward the self- and a control-body were measured using questionnaires and two eye-tracking tasks. All analyses were conducted on intent-to-treat (ITT) bases. Results: Relative to the WL, the IG reported lower levels of shape concerns and reduced eating pathology after the intervention. Furthermore, while at baseline attention for the most unattractive body part was higher for the self-body (SB) relative to the control body (CB) in both IG and WL, no such difference was found after the intervention in the IG. By contrast, in the WL attention allocation between SB and CB remained unchanged. Conclusions: Evidence was found that stand-alone mirror exposure may contribute to improving shape concerns and the reduction of eating pathology in women with BED. Furthermore, mirror exposure impacts selective body-related attention even though generalizability of results is limited by small sample size, lack of statistical power, and expectancy effects due to comparison with WL. What is the public health significance of this article?: This study suggests that stand-alone mirror exposure contributes to improvement of shape concerns and eating pathology in individuals with binge-eating disorder. Whether these changes occur by changes in selective body-related attention needs further clarification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Previous research on associations between Body Image Concerns (BIC) and technological addictions, such as Internet addiction (IA) and Social Media Addiction (SMA), has focused on female samples, neglecting the impact they may have on males and the risk factor associated with age. The present study analyzed the correlations between BIC, IA, and SMA and between internalizing and externalizing problems. Methods: A sample of 204 participants (118 females; mean age = 15.88 years) were divided into three age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence) and completed a battery of scales including (i) Body Image Concern Inventory, (ii) Bergen Instagram Addiction Scale, (iii) Internet Addiction Test, and (iv) Youth Self Report. Results: Significant associations between BIC and technology addictions (SMA and IA) appeared both in the total sample and in the subgroups related to gender and age; bivariate correlations between internalizing and externalizing problems and variables were significant for the total sample but only in some of the gender- and age-related subgroups. Discussion and Conclusions: This research has shown how associations between BIC and behavioral technology addictions, especially associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, may vary by the gender affiliation and developmental stage of the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Research focused on developing risk and protective models of body image concerns and disordered eating among older women is scant. Models including biological, psychological, and sociocultural elements may be useful explanatory frameworks in this group. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct formative research exploring the constructs that form part of biopsychosocial models of body image concerns and disordered eating among older women. Method: A sample of 184 women aged 60–75 years completed an online survey assessing media pressures, thin‐ideal internalization, depression symptoms, weight and shape concerns, and disordered eating as well as positive reappraisal and acceptance of aging‐related changes to appearance. Results: After the addition of two supplemental pathways, the model revealed good fit to the data. In the final model, age, depression, and media pressure were associated with media internalization, that was in turn associated with weight and shape concerns, and then disordered eating. Depression was also directly associated with both weight and shape concerns and disordered eating. The model varied across older women with high versus low levels of positive reappraisal and acceptance of aging‐related changes to appearance. Specifically, among those high on this trait, the pathways between depression and thin‐ideal internalization, and between weight and shape concerns and disordered eating were significantly weaker. Discussion: These findings support the usefulness of biopsychosocial models for grounding research on body image concerns and disordered eating among older women, and suggest positive reappraisal and acceptance of aging‐related changes to appearance as a useful dimension to focus on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'Classic' embodiment illusions (e.g., the feeling of owning another person's hand) involves a three-way interaction between visual, proprioceptive, and tactile stimuli. These illusions have been studied in eating disorder (ED) populations given the potential implications for better understanding and improving body image concerns. Recently, several studies have employed 'tactile-reduced' methods mainly relying on the integration of visual and proprioceptive information to induce embodiment illusions in non-ED populations. To date, there has been no substantial review of these tactile-reduced approaches to consider their potential research and clinical utility in ED populations. Method: This review sought to examine and integrate studies across three areas. Firstly, those that employed tactile-reduced embodiment techniques in non-ED populations. Secondly, those that used classic embodiment techniques to compare whether ED and non-ED populations differ in their susceptibility to embodiment. Thirdly, studies that investigated whether experiencing classic or tactile-reduced embodiment techniques can improve image-related concerns. Results: For the first aim five studies were identified, all of which found that tactile-reduced methods consistently induced embodiment illusions in non-ED individuals. For the second aim, seven studies comparing ED and non-ED samples were found. ED patients were more susceptible to embodiment than non-ED samples in four studies, less susceptible in one study, and equally susceptible in two studies. Finally, for aim three, amongst the seven studies that used classic or tactile-reduced embodiment methods in ED populations, six reported improvements in self-perception (i.e., reduced body size overestimation, decreased body dissatisfaction and fear of gaining weight). Conclusions: Along with the classic approach, tactile-reduced embodiment approaches have implications for ED research and clinical practice, particularly for situations when face-to-face contact with people are restricted. Suggestions are provided for future researchers who wish to ensure best practice for planning embodiment research involving classic and tactile-reduced approaches. Plain English summary: Embodiment illusions involve the temporary experience of owning another person's body or body parts. These illusions have been studied in people with eating disorders (EDs) as a means for (i) better understanding their self-perception issues (e.g., they tend to see their own appearance as being too big), and (ii) improving these self-perception issues (i.e., does experiencing embodiment reduce distortions involving body size?). 'Classic' embodiment illusions typically require participants to simultaneously experience visual, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory stimulation. However, COVID -19 pandemic restrictions have limited research in face-to-face settings which poses a challenge for the classic approach, mainly in relation to tactile input which would usually be provided by a researcher. A 'tactile-reduced' approach for eliciting embodiment illusions would, therefore, enable this field of research to continue, which in turn may benefit people with EDs. While several studies in non-clinical populations have demonstrated the effectiveness of a tactile-reduced approach, understanding surrounding this approach in ED populations is lacking. In this review, we offer a prospective set of suggestions regarding how tactile-reduced embodiment may be conducted with ED populations, both in terms of better understanding their (problematic) self-perception, and how such concerns may be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body positive content aims to disrupt the monopoly of idealized appearance-focused media and encourage individuals to adopt a positive stance towards their body by increasing diversity and inclusiveness and rejecting harmful appearance ideals. This paper provides an historical context for the body positivity movement, discusses the presence and characteristics of the online body positivity movement, presents evidence of its relationship to body image, and finally offers directions for future research. Findings provide initial support for the potential for body positive social media content to be beneficial for body image, and lower state appearance comparison has received support as a mechanism underpinning these effects. However, efforts to identify individual-level moderators have met with less success, and the research is somewhat confined to comparative effects with idealized social media content, and young women. Additional work to bridge the gaps in the extant data is needed. In particular, expanding the understanding of which types of body positive social media content can be most helpful to both prevent and decrease body image concerns and promote positive body image using a layered lens that considers the interactions of the individual, their context, and the type of body positive social media content will be most fruitful. • Body positive content aims to increase diversity and inclusiveness by rejecting harmful appearance ideals. • Initial support for the potential for body positive social media content to be beneficial for body image exists. • Lower state appearance comparison may underpin these effects. • More work is needed to identify individual-level moderators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence is a time of rapid emotional and physical development when foundational self-concepts (including beliefs about one's weight and shape) are established. Parents are key influencers of adolescent beliefs and behaviours. This study aimed to investigate associations between perceived positive and negative parental comments on weight/shape and eating, with sons' and daughters' psychological distress and eating disorder cognitions (EDCs). Methods: A representative mixed-sex sample of 2204 Australian adolescents (12–19 years) from the EveryBODY Study completed an online survey exploring eating behaviours, psychological wellbeing and experiences of parental comments regarding weight, shape and eating behaviours. Results: Correlation analyses revealed that adolescents' reports of perceived positive parental comments on shape/weight were significantly associated with lower psychological distress and EDCs only for daughters. All perceived negative parental comments on shape/weight or eating were associated with greater psychological distress and EDCs for both sons and daughters. In the final model of the regression analysis, only perceived parental negative shape/weight and maternal negative eating comments, adolescent stage and biological sex were significantly associated with EDCs. When known contributors such as BMI percentile and psychological distress were included in the regression model, adolescent stage and perceived negative paternal comments were no longer significantly associated with EDCs. Conclusions: Overall, results show perceived negative comments were associated with poorer adolescent mental health, both their specific EDCs and general distress. Findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of potential negative impacts within family systems of comments around weight/shape and eating in these key formative years. Trial Registration The study was approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC 5201600312) and the New South Wales Department of Education. Plain English summary: Adolescence is a time of rapid emotional and physical development when beliefs about one's weight and shape are established. Parents are key influencers of adolescent beliefs and behaviours. This study aimed to consider associations between perceived positive and negative parental comments on weight/shape and eating, with sons' and daughters' psychological distress and behaviours associated with eating disorders. We found all perceived negative comments from either parent were associated with poorer adolescent mental health, both specific to behaviours associated with eating disorders and general distress. When we considered the strength of the relationship between parental comments and different influences such as biological sex, developmental stage, BMI percentile and psychological distress, we expected to find that BMI percentile and psychological distress would influenced the findings, and they did. When we considered the relationship with them included, perceived maternal negative comments continued to have a negative influence on behaviours related to eating disorders. Therefore, our findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of potential negative impacts within family systems of comments around weight/shape and eating in these key formative years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In order to face the gain weight stress during puberty, adolescents often adopt an improper approach to eating which might lead to ineffective nutritional attitudes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on the body image concerns of adolescent girls with dysfunctional eating attitudes. Method For this purpose, an experimental design with pre‐test, post‐test, control group, and follow‐up was used. The population included 200 high school girls of Isfahan, Iran, from whom a sample of 30 students was selected based on the inclusion criteria and was randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received MBSR intervention for eight 90‐min sessions and the control group received no intervention. Following the intervention, the two groups were post‐tested and to assess the sustainability of the intervention effect, both groups were followed up 40-days later. Data were collected by the Eating Attitude Test and Body Image Concern Inventory and analysed using analysis of variance. Results The findings of the study indicated that MBSR influenced the body image of adolescent girls with dysfunctional eating attitudes, and there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in body image concerns (p

IntroductionDespite the fact that group fitness instructors serve as significant role models with potentially great impact on class participants' motivation for exercise, they are a very under-researched group. The aim of this study was therefore to examine group fitness instructors' motivational regulations for exercise, and how these motivational regulations can predict symptoms of exercise dependence and body image concerns.MethodsGroup fitness instructors from the largest fitness companies in Norway (n = 837, response rate: 57%) completed an online survey with reference to the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales drive for thinness (EDI-DT) and body dissatisfaction (EDI-BD), and their weekly amount of exercise and instruction.ResultsThe instructors scored high on identified regulation and intrinsic regulation for exercise. EDS total score was positively correlated with all SIMS subscales and weekly instruction was positively correlated with Intrinsic regulation. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses found that both self-determined motivational regulations as well as external regulation positively predicted their EDS score. External regulation positively predicted EDI-DT, and EDI-BD.ConclusionGroup fitness instructors seem highly intrinsically motivated for exercise, which is hypothesized to have a positive impact on group fitness class participants. High self-determined exercise behavior does not seem to buffer against symptoms of exercise dependence within this specific population. There is a need for awareness of group fitness instructors who show high exercise dependency scores due to the link to body image concerns, amotivation and external regulated motivation.

Introduction: Despite the fact that group fitness instructors serve as significant role models with potentially great impact on class participants' motivation for exercise, they are a very under-researched group. The aim of this study was therefore to examine group fitness instructors' motivational regulations for exercise, and how these motivational regulations can predict symptoms of exercise dependence and body image concerns. Methods: Group fitness instructors from the largest fitness companies in Norway (n = 837, response rate: 57%) completed an online survey with reference to the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales drive for thinness (EDI-DT) and body dissatisfaction (EDI-BD), and their weekly amount of exercise and instruction. Results: The instructors scored high on identified regulation and intrinsic regulation for exercise. EDS total score was positively correlated with all SIMS subscales and weekly instruction was positively correlated with Intrinsic regulation. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses found that both self-determined motivational regulations as well as external regulation positively predicted their EDS score. External regulation positively predicted EDI-DT, and EDI-BD. Conclusion: Group fitness instructors seem highly intrinsically motivated for exercise, which is hypothesized to have a positive impact on group fitness class participants. High self-determined exercise behavior does not seem to buffer against symptoms of exercise dependence within this specific population. There is a need for awareness of group fitness instructors who show high exercise dependency scores due to the link to body image concerns, amotivation and external regulated motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Adolescent boys low in gender compatibility report heightened emotion regulation difficulties. • Emotion regulation difficulties are linked with heightened drive for muscularity. • Emotion regulation difficulties link gender compatibility with drive for muscularity. The drive for muscularity continues to be a prominent concern among adolescent boys. However, it is unknown how gender compatibility (gender typicality and gender contentedness) relates to this pursuit. The present study sought to examine the link between gender compatibility and drive for muscularity among male adolescents, and whether this is partially accounted for by emotion regulation difficulties. Participants were 903 male adolescents, aged 11–19 years, who completed self-report measures as part of the EveryBODY study. Using path analysis, a proposed mediation model was assessed, testing an indirect pathway of gender compatibility and drive for muscularity through emotion regulation difficulties. Findings showed an indirect pathway between gender compatibility and drive for muscularity through emotion regulation difficulties. That is, boys who were more content with their male gender and believed they were typical of their gender reported fewer emotion regulation difficulties and, in turn, exhibited a lower drive for muscularity. Findings support theoretical perspectives integrating masculinity and muscularity in boys, in that those who feel less compatible with their masculinity could be susceptible to developing a greater drive for muscularity to regulate distress deriving from perceptions of not being sufficiently masculine. This study sets the groundwork for future longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body image concerns have been widely documented in the literature as one reason why most women shorten the breastfeeding duration of their infants. Negative body image concerns among breastfeeding mothers may lead to depressive symptoms. There is a paucity of literature on how body image affects the breastfeeding practices of nurses and midwives. Therefore, this study explored the perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on how their body image affected their breastfeeding practices. Methods: A qualitative design was used in this study. Five focus group discussions were conducted with each group having five members. The study was conducted in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana between November and December of 2020. Participants were recruited into the study using a purposive sampling method. Focus group sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: body image concerns and breastfeeding, sociocultural pressures and breastfeeding and coping strategies. Participants had concerns regarding weight gain due to the need to eat adequately while breastfeeding. Body image concerns included increase in abdominal size, sagging breasts and generalized weight gain. These concerns and pressures negatively affected the breastfeeding practices of participants. Body image concerns reflected sociocultural pressures such as negative comments from loved ones and in the social media. The coping strategies adopted by the mothers were self-motivation and the love they had for their children. Conclusions: The perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on the ways their body image affected their breastfeeding practices identified the need for support in order to successfully breastfeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the association of physical activity and body image with psychological health outcomes and whether body image mediates the association of physical activity with psychological health among older female cancer survivors. Data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Life and Longevity after Cancer (LILAC) Study were used. Surveys assessed body image (appearance, attractiveness, scars), moderate-strenuous physical activity (min/week), and psychological health (depression, anxiety, distress). A mediation analysis was conducted to estimate the percentage of the total effect of physical activity on psychological health mediated by body image concerns. Among 4567 female cancer survivors aged 66–98 years, the average time since cancer diagnosis was 9.2 years. Approximately 50% reported no moderate-strenuous physical activity; 15% reported depressive symptoms, 6% reported anxiety, and 5% reported psychological distress; 3% had concerns with appearance, 20% had concerns with attractiveness, and 21% had concerns with scars. When unadjusted for body image concerns, every 30 min/week increase in physical activity was associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms (RR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.90–0.96), anxiety (RR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.87–0.97), and distress (RR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.87–0.98). Body image concerns with appearance mediated 7%, 8.8%, and 14.5% of the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms, anxiety, and distress, respectively. Older female cancer survivors reported body image concerns, which were associated with both physical activity and psychological health. Our findings suggest that interventions designed to address body image concerns in older female cancer survivors could serve to improve the benefit of physical activity on psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been several studies of body image and ambivalence anxiety, but the question is whether natural cognition can mediate body image anxiety based on ambivalence? Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of natural imagination in predicting anxiety based on ambivalence. Method: The study was descriptive-correlational and was performed on 130 students of Payam Noor Najafabad University who were selected by convenience sampling method. The instruments were the Toronto Natural Intelligence Scale (1994), the Ton Littletom Fear Questionnaire, Axm & Perry Questionnaire (2005), and the Ambiguity Questionnaire on King and Ammons Emotion Expressions (1990). The data were analyzed using structural equation method. Results: The indirect path coefficients between the predictor variable (emotional ambiguity) and the criterion variable (tone image anxiety) were mediated by natural unconscious mediation (p

Introduction and purpose: Adolescence is associated with physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes in a person’s life. During this time, the concepts of identity and body image are raised, both of which can lead to anxiety and ultimately social avoidance. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of identity styles in body image and social avoidance of adolescents referred to health centers in Zahedan, Iran, in 2018-2019. Methods: The present descriptive-correlational (correlational-predictive) study was performed on 128 adolescents referred to healthcare centers. The sampling was conducted using the convenience sampling method, and data collection tools were the questionnaires of body image concerns, social avoidance and distress, as well as identity styles. Data analysis performed by SPSS software (version 16) using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, as well as stepwise and standard regressions. Results: Results of the present study indicated that identity styles, including diffuse-avoidant, normative, and commitment, were able to predict and determine variations related to body image concerns (P

Background: Patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generally adapt well to living with their device, but we know little about the prevalence of patients' body image concerns (BICs) postimplant. Methods: The objectives were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ICD‐body image concerns questionnaire (BICQ), find a cut‐off indicating BICs and determine the prevalence of BICs. Construct validity was determined using the Kaiser‐Meyer‐Olkin test, Scree‐plot and explorative factor analysis. Internal consistency was examined via Cronbach's alpha. Correlations to other validated questionnaires, a weighted and simple scale and a cut‐off indicating BICs was evaluated. Results: In total, 331 patients completed the 39‐item ICD‐BICQ together with: Type D Scale (DS14), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD‐7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and Florida Patient Acceptance Survey. Five patients were excluded due to reoperations, leaving 326 patients in the analyses. Results revealed a one‐factor structure with 32 items and Cronbach's alpha at.948. A cut‐off at 36 points displayed the 20% patients with the highest score of BICs. The prevalence was 29.8% in women and 18.4% in men. Conclusion: The psychometric evaluation of the 32‐item ICD‐BICQ showed acceptable construct validity and internal reliability. We recommend a cut‐off score at 36 points to identify patients at risk of having BICs. The prevalence of BICs indicated that both men and women are at risk of having BICs. The ICD‐BICQ can be used in clinical practice to help healthcare professionals to identify patients at risk of BICs and as to evaluate BICs when implementing new operation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on depression, self-esteem and body image concerns, after the first delivery in women in Kashan. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and the post-test and a control group. For this purpose from all women who gave birthfot the first timein in city of Kashan, 87 patients were screened in 2016 using convenience sampling. Of them, 30 were selected, and randomly placed in two groups: experimental and control. To do the pre-test and the post-test and collect information Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Self Esteem Inventory and body image concern inventory questionnaires were used. The treatment plan of acceptance and commitment was conducted during 1 month with 8 sessions of 90 minutes and after the implementation of the post-test data was analyzed using analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Results: The present study shows that there is a significant difference between the subjects of the experimental and control groups in terms of one of the dependent variables (depression, self-esteem and physical deformity) (F=19.19, P

Background. Body image concerns (BICs) negatively influence young people's health as they mutilate psychosocial functioning and lifestyle. The present study aimed to compare BICs, socio-cultural attitudes towards appearance, and disordered eating (DE) in a large sample of student women and men of different body mass (BMI) and physical activity and to evaluate the mediating role of sports participation in the association between BICs and DE. Methods. A total sample of 1850 students (1087 or 58.8% were women, average age 21.6 ± 5.0 years) participated in the study and completed a questionnaire measuring BICs, internalization of the socio-cultural appearance ideals, drive for muscularity, DE, physical activity (PA), and BMI. Two hundred eighty-two men and two hundred eightyeight women reported leisure-time participation in sports. Two-way ANOVA was conducted to test gender, BMI group, and sports participation effects on study variables. Moderated leisure-time exercise at a sports club effects were tested in the association between body image concerns (BICs) and disordered eating behaviours (DE). Results. Overweight/obese students reported greater BICs, internalization of the stereotyped appearance ideals, and DE compared to students of normal body weight. Participants of sports clubs demonstrated higher appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction; however, they reported higher overweight preoccupation, internalization of socio-cultural ideals, drive for muscularity (men), and DE. A higher level of BMI, BICs, internalization of sociocultural body ideals, and drive for muscularity (in men) were associated with greater DE in students. Participation in sports was not a significant moderator between BICs and DE. A significant interaction effect between BMI and exercising at a sports club was observed in women. Conditional effects demonstrated that female students with higher BMI and exercising at a sports club were at higher risk of DE (β = .18, p < .001) than women non-exercising at a sports club (β = .13, p < .001). Conclusions. Overweight students of both genders reported greater BICs and DE. Sports-involved students (men and women) demonstrated more favourable body appearance evaluation. However, sports participants of both genders demonstrated greater BICs and DE compared to non-exercisers. Sports participation had no significant mediating power on the associations between BICs and DE; however, women with higher BMI and participating in leisure-time sports faced a greater risk for DE than women with higher BMI but not participating in sports. The promotion of a positive body image was important to students, especially female students with higher BMI and participating in leisure sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we drew on an integrated model of objectification and social comparison theories to test the associations between young women's use of social networking sites and their body image concerns. A sample of 338 undergraduate women, aged 17–25 years, completed online questionnaire measures of engagement in three social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, browsing or following fitspiration-related content, and placing importance on online "likes" and comments). Also assessed were upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, social appearance anxiety, and two indices of body image concerns (drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction). Structural equation modeling was used to test two competing models, both of which posited social appearance anxiety as the immediate precursor to body image concerns. In line with the integrated objectification-social comparison model, results supported a serial mediation model that comprised significant paths from two of the social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, and placing importance on online "likes" and comments) through, in turn, upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, and social appearance anxiety, to drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Viewing fitspiration-related content was associated with body image concerns directly, rather than indirectly. Findings highlight objectification and appearance comparison factors as targets for future interventions regarding appearance-related social networking site use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In order to face the gain weight stress during puberty, adolescents often adopt an improper approach to eating which might lead to ineffective nutritional attitudes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on the body image concerns of adolescent girls with dysfunctional eating attitudes. Method: For this purpose, an experimental design with pre‐test, post‐test, control group, and follow‐up was used. The population included 200 high school girls of Isfahan, Iran, from whom a sample of 30 students was selected based on the inclusion criteria and was randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received MBSR intervention for eight 90‐min sessions and the control group received no intervention. Following the intervention, the two groups were post‐tested and to assess the sustainability of the intervention effect, both groups were followed up 40 days later. Data were collected by the Eating Attitude Test and Body Image Concern Inventory and analysed using analysis of variance. Results: The findings of the study indicated that MBSR influenced the body image of adolescent girls with dysfunctional eating attitudes, and there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in body image concerns (p <.001). Conclusion: It might be concluded that MBSR can be effective in improving the body image of adolescent girls with dysfunctional eating attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evidence suggests the menopausal period may be a unique window of vulnerability for the development or exacerbation of eating disorder symptoms among middle-aged women; however, it is unclear who is most at risk during this period. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether appearance-related aging concerns and body comparison, two sociocultural factors, moderated the association between menopausal status and disordered eating behaviors and body image concerns among middle-aged women.Method: Participants (N = 310) completed an online survey about their menopausal status, aging concerns, body comparison, disordered eating, and body image concerns.Results: Tests of moderator models revealed that at low levels of aging concerns, peri-menopausal women reported greater dietary restraint than pre-menopausal or post-menopausal women. Additionally, among women with high scores for body comparison, post-menopausal women reported significantly more dietary restraint than either pre- or peri-menopausal women.Discussion: These findings suggest that the effects of menopause on dietary restraint may be stronger for some women than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Eating disorders are present among middle‐aged women, yet most eating disorder knowledge comes from adolescents and young adults. There is arguably a need for research specific to middle‐aged women and eating pathology. One biological factor that may contribute to eating disorder symptoms and is unique to middle‐aged women is menopause, given the changes in body shape and weight that direct women's bodies away from the young, thin beauty standard. Method: This study explored group differences in disordered eating and body image by menopausal status. Participants were 310 middle‐aged women between the ages of 40 and 68. They completed an online survey about their menopausal status, disordered eating, and body image concerns. We compared disordered eating behaviors and attitudes across three groups: premenopausal women, perimenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Results: Results indicated no group differences on either disordered eating or body image concerns by menopausal status. Discussion: These findings suggest the perimenopausal period may not be a window of vulnerability for women in general. Given these mixed findings, future research should examine moderators to determine when there are menopausal status group differences on eating pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although body image concerns (BIC) are recognized as a core driver in the development of disordered eating behaviors, the combined role of various types of BIC remains underexamined. This study relied on latent profile analysis to identify the main configurations of self-reported BIC (i.e., body checking and avoidance, perceived physical appearance, and fear of negative appearance evaluation) observed in a sample of 419 French-Canadian individuals (M age = 26.59, SD age = 9.23). The role of body mass index, sex, and age on profile membership was also examined, as well as the relation between profile membership and disordered eating behaviors (i.e., dieting, bulimia and food preoccupation, and oral control). Six distinct BIC profiles differing in terms of shape and level were identified, with women being more likely to display a profile characterized by higher levels of BIC. In turn, profiles characterized by higher levels of BIC were associated with more disordered eating behaviors. The present study can broaden our understanding of the onset and maintenance of disordered eating behaviors and inspire the development of more tailored body-image interventions. • Person-centered assessment of the nature of body image concerns (BIC) profiles. • Cognitive-perceptual, affective, and behavioral components of BIC were considered. • Six distinct BIC profiles differing in terms of shape and level were identified. • Women were more likely to display a profile characterized by higher levels of BIC. • Profiles with higher levels of BIC were related with disordered eating behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weight discrimination, defined as mistreatment of people based on body weight, is associated with body image concerns and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Military veterans are particularly vulnerable to developing ED symptoms, which may be due to experiences of weight discrimination resulting from the military's strict weight and fitness requirements. However, no previous study has examined these associations among veterans. We investigated relationships between weight discrimination during and after military service and shape/weight concerns and ED symptoms in post-9/11 veterans. Based on evidence for gender differences in weight discrimination, body image, and ED symptoms, we also examined whether gender moderated these associations. Participants were randomly selected from the population of post-9/11 U.S. veterans who had been discharged from the military within the previous 18 months. A total of 1494 veterans completed the Everyday Discrimination Scale, Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire, and the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale-5. Women were more likely to report weight discrimination and had higher levels of ED symptoms and shape/weight concerns than men. Weight discrimination in and after leaving the military were positively associated with shape/weight concerns and ED symptoms in the full sample and among men and women. Gender moderated the association between weight discrimination after leaving the military and shape/weight concerns such that the association was stronger among men. Both male and female veterans may be vulnerable to developing ED symptoms, in part due to weight discrimination experienced during and after military service. Our findings emphasize the need to address weight discrimination and its consequences in veterans. • Weight discrimination is associated with shape/weight concerns and eating pathology. • Women had higher levels of eating disorder symptoms and shape/weight concerns. • Women experienced more weight discrimination. • Weight discrimination was strongly associated with shape/weight concerns among men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Body dysmorphic disorder involves relatively stable characteristics of body image concerns and personality and is comorbid with depressive and bipolar disorders. There is, however, no clear picture of the associations between the affective states and personality features in this disorder. Methods Therefore, we invited 142 patients with body dysmorphic disorder and 226 healthy volunteers to undergo tests involving the Body Image Concern Scale, Personality Measure, Mood Disorder Questionnaire, Hypomanic Checklist-32, and the Plutchik - van Praag Depression Inventory. Results Patients scored significantly higher on all scales than healthy volunteers. Schizotypal and avoidant personality disorder styles and hypomania and depressive levels were positively associated with some body image concern scales in the two groups. Regarding associations between personality and body dysmorphic features, depression acted as a mediator in both groups, and hypomania served as an additional mediator in patients. Conclusions Our study identified more body image concerns and personality and affective dysfunctions; revealed the associations between body image concerns and personality and affective characteristics; and determined that depression and hypomania were mediators between body image concerns and personality features in patients with body dysmorphic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review investigates evidence on the association between body image concerns and weight-related behaviours of adolescents and emerging adults. It includes peer-reviewed journal articles reporting research involving body image concerns and weight-related behaviours of adolescents and emerging adults, published between 2005–2017, and located through systematic searches from four databases. This review includes studies from 11 countries or regions: United States (n = 13), Asia (n = 9), Europe (n = 8), Middle East (n = 3), South America (Brazil; n = 3), Canada (n = 3), Australia (n = 1), New Zealand (n = 1), Trinidad (n = 1), Turkey (n = 1) and Seychelles (n = 1); 24 different countries (n = 1); three Asian countries and the United States (n = 1). Out of 46 studies included in this review, 45 studies reported a positive association between body image concerns and weight-related behaviours. Adolescents and emerging adults who misperceived their weight engaged in weight-related behaviours. Higher body dissatisfaction had a significant association in the development of eating disorders and extreme weight-loss behaviours. Body image concerns play a significant role in adolescents and emerging adults engaging in weight-related behaviours. Experimental research designs are required to determine the causality of this association. Evidence strongly suggests policy makers and public health practitioners contemplate strategies to promote positive body image and healthy weight-related behaviours among adolescents and emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported weight classifications with objectively measured body mass index (BMI) and weight management motivations among female African American (AA) students in a mid-size southeastern university in a rural setting. Participants were recruited from general health class to complete a brief survey, and their height/weight was measured. Chi-square tests were performed to investigate whether mismatch occurred between self-perceived weight classification and directly measured BMI, and the relationship between body weight loss effort and self-perceived body weight. Among the women who were classified as overweight or obese based on direct measurements, 29.63% and 11.59% felt they were normal weight, respectively. Almost one third of the overweight college females perceived their body weight incorrectly and body weight perception is a significant factor driving the body weight control efforts. Appropriate programs for body weight perception and weight control behavior for AA female college students should be developed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body image concerns (BIC) has been reported to be associated with emotional distress for cancers across various sites. This study sought to examine two cognitive vulnerability mechanisms: dysfunctional attitudes and rumination, and their combined effects on the relationship between BIC and emotional distress in newly diagnosed Asian cancer patients. Participants were 221 newly diagnosed adult cancer patients who were assessed on BIC, rumination, dysfunctional attitudes, and emotional distress. Path analysis was used to examine the hypothesized mediation model. The hypothesized mediation model controlling for age, sex, marital status, education level, cancer type, cancer stage, and treatment modality revealed that both dysfunctional attitudes and rumination mediated the relationship between BIC and emotional distress. The present study provides evidence for a mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes and rumination between BIC and emotional distress. Psychological treatment should target dysfunctional attitudes and rumination in cancer patients experiencing BIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anxiety or fear associated with physique evaluation is defined as Social Physique Anxiety (SPA). Numerous studies have examined this construct, yet a gap exists exploring this phenomenon among current college students with SPA, self-efficacy, and gender concurrently. Therefore, the purposes of this study included quantitatively analyzing the association between SPA, gender, and self-efficacy. Participants included 237 students at a Southeastern university participating in jogging, body conditioning, or weight training courses. Analysis of Variance yielded a significant main effect for self-efficacy as well, as those with lower self-efficacy displayed higher levels of SPA (p<0.001). Stepwise regression analysis indicated self-efficacy and gender were both significant predictors of SPA. This information could aid in creating interventions designed to decrease the prevalence of SPA and increase levels of self-efficacy among the current college student population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyse emotional distress and concerns related to body image in 712 normal-weight and overweight adolescent girls. A total of 12.3 per cent of the normal-weight girls and 25 per cent of the overweight girls showed extreme weight-control behaviours. In normal-weight adolescents, their engagement in extreme weight-control behaviours was associated with high levels of somatic symptoms, a drive for thinness and control over eating. In overweight girls, high levels of drive for thinness and anxiety were associated with extreme weight-control behaviours. Finally, the implications for preventive and therapeutic programmes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study experimentally investigated the effect of Facebook usage on women's mood and body image, whether these effects differ from an online fashion magazine, and whether appearance comparison tendency moderates any of these effects. Female participants ( N = 112) were randomly assigned to spend 10 min browsing their Facebook account, a magazine website, or an appearance-neutral control website before completing state measures of mood, body dissatisfaction, and appearance discrepancies (weight-related, and face, hair, and skin-related). Participants also completed a trait measure of appearance comparison tendency. Participants who spent time on Facebook reported being in a more negative mood than those who spent time on the control website. Furthermore, women high in appearance comparison tendency reported more facial, hair, and skin-related discrepancies after Facebook exposure than exposure to the control website. Given its popularity, more research is needed to better understand the impact that Facebook has on appearance concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]