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Journal of Women & Aging 2021Negative body image is prevalent among mid- and late-life women. In younger women, negative body image is associated with reduced quality of life (QOL) when controlling...
Negative body image is prevalent among mid- and late-life women. In younger women, negative body image is associated with reduced quality of life (QOL) when controlling for body mass index (BMI), and mediates the relationship between obesity and emotional wellbeing. Yet, much remains unknown about body image in older populations. In our sample of women aged 50-86 ( = 181), negative body image mediated the relationship between BMI and sleep, all four domains of QOL, negative affect, nutritious food consumption, and psychosocial impairment, but not enjoyment of physical activity. Findings suggest negative body image impacts the wellbeing of older women.
Topics: Aged; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Middle Aged; Obesity; Quality of Life
PubMed: 31751189
DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2019.1692629 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Jul 2022We aimed to quantify the associations between body image (dis)satisfaction and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents, using data from Generation XXI, a...
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to quantify the associations between body image (dis)satisfaction and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents, using data from Generation XXI, a population-based cohort study in Portugal.
METHODS
We assessed 1785 13-year old adolescents cross-sectionally. Body image satisfaction was measured using the Children's Figure Rating Scale. Pain detection and tolerance thresholds were assessed using cuff pressure algometry. We quantified the associations between body image categories (satisfied, prefers slightly thinner, prefers much thinner, and prefers heavier) and pain detection and tolerance thresholds using linear and logistic regression for continuous and binary (odds of achieving the highest distribution quarter) outcomes, respectively. Models were adjusted to pubertal stage and body mass index.
RESULTS
Adolescents who desired a heavier silhouette had lower pressure pain tolerance thresholds when compared to those who were satisfied (linear regression coefficient: -3.95; 95% confidence interval: -6.68, -1.21), which was more precise in boys (-3.51; -7.17, -0.08). Those adolescents also had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance threshold (odds ratio: 0.66; 0.48, 0.90), especially girls (0.58; 0.35, 0.98). Adolescents who desired much thinner silhouettes had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance (0.68; 0.46, 1.00), and this was clearer in girls (0.66; 0.48, 0.90). Pain detection thresholds did not show robust associations with body image dissatisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests an association between satisfaction with one's silhouette and pain tolerance in adolescents from the general population, arguing for an integrated approach to the assessment of body image and pain sensitivity.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Dissatisfaction; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Child; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Pain; Pain Threshold
PubMed: 35468315
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110912 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Apr 2023Extensive psychological burden is associated with the experience of living with endometriosis, including negative changes to body image and sexual functioning. Emerging...
OBJECTIVE
Extensive psychological burden is associated with the experience of living with endometriosis, including negative changes to body image and sexual functioning. Emerging evidence suggests that potential protective factors such as body appreciation and self-compassion may help mitigate these adverse impacts of endometriosis. This study aimed to investigate the association of body image, both positive (body appreciation) and negative (body image disturbance) dimensions, with sexual distress and the potential buffering effect of self-compassion on the body image-sexual distress link.
METHODS
Data were collected via an online cross-sectional survey (N = 471) assessing body image disturbance, body appreciation, self-compassion and sexual distress in individuals with endometriosis. A series of hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between key variables.
RESULTS
>80% of the sample reported clinically significant sexual distress and high levels of body image disturbance. Regression analyses indicated a moderate positive effect of body image disturbance with sexual distress, and a weaker inverse effect of self-compassion with sexual distress. Body appreciation was not associated with sexual distress, and no moderating effects of self-compassion were evident.
CONCLUSION
The high prevalence of sexual distress identified in this sample, along with the finding that body image disturbance was strongly associated with sexual distress, suggest that psychosocial interventions addressing body image may help ameliorate sexual distress in individuals with endometriosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Body Image; Self Concept; Self-Compassion; Endometriosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Empathy
PubMed: 36805454
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111197 -
Body Image Dec 2022Emerging research has raised concerns about the growing prevalence of photo-editing behaviour and how this may negatively interact with body-related concerns among... (Review)
Review
Emerging research has raised concerns about the growing prevalence of photo-editing behaviour and how this may negatively interact with body-related concerns among females. This review aimed to systematically examine the current evidence relating to the associations between photo-editing behaviour and female body concerns, including body image, body dissatisfaction and body modification. Six databases were searched for studies investigating associations between photo-editing and body concerns in female social media users. Empirical studies published in English were included if they quantitatively measured the association between photo-editing and at least one of the body-related outcomes, and included female participants. A narrative synthesis of the 22 studies meeting these specific criteria was completed. This review revealed mixed findings in relation to the associations between photo-editing and body concerns. The findings indicate there may be a more complex relationship between both concepts that is influenced by alternative factors. The findings also revealed considerable heterogeneity in measurement approaches for both photo-editing behaviour and body-related outcomes. Future research should focus on developing a gold-standard approach to the measurement of various body-related concerns and conducting in-depth analyses in order to further understand the complex relationship between photo-editing and female social media users' body concerns.
Topics: Humans; Female; Body Image; Body Dissatisfaction; Social Media
PubMed: 36371869
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.10.013 -
Nutrients Oct 2023Unhealthy dietary behaviors and body dissatisfaction are becoming increasingly common among college students. Understanding the association between body image...
Unhealthy dietary behaviors and body dissatisfaction are becoming increasingly common among college students. Understanding the association between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting is particularly meaningful, especially for medical college students. This study aimed to investigate the association between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting among medical students. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 5138 medical college students at Jitang College of North China University of Science and Technology. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were further used to examine the possible interaction between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting. In this study, 1329 (25.87%) students had intermittent fasting behavior. After adjustment for confounding factors, there was a negative association between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.93 to 0.95, < 0.001). A significant interaction between body image flexibility and intermittent fasting was found in gender, academic year, major, and monthly living expenses ( for interaction < 0.05). E-value analysis suggested there was unlikely to be an unmeasured confounding. This association could contribute to the establishment of personalized health intervention strategies and provide recommendations for promoting the physical and mental health of medical students.
Topics: Humans; Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Students, Medical; Intermittent Fasting; East Asian People; China; Universities
PubMed: 37836557
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194273 -
Body Image Dec 2022Body image concerns are a commonly cited reason for sport drop out. Researchers have begun to explore the influence of coaches on athletes' body image. However, no...
Body image concerns are a commonly cited reason for sport drop out. Researchers have begun to explore the influence of coaches on athletes' body image. However, no measure exists to accurately and easily assess interventions or predict coaches' body image supportive behaviors. Using Self-Efficacy Theory as a conceptual framework, the Coach Self-Efficacy Body Image Scale (CSEBIS) was developed. Content validity was judged by a panel of experts (N = 3) and through interviews with coaches (N = 4) across various sports and experience levels. Following initial item iteration, the CSEBIS was assessed with 682 coaches for reliability and validity. The 27 items across four subscales (knowledge, recognition, engagement, disengagement) showed good reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability, inter-item and item-total correlations), validity (convergent and discriminant validity, differentiation between known groups), factor structure, and model invariance across gender. Developing and initially validating the CSEBIS contributes to the existing literature by providing researchers with a novel scale to measure coaches' confidence in identifying and addressing body image concerns among their athletes. Following further testing, this instrument may be used to assess the effectiveness of body image education and intervention efforts in sport, and the impact of coaches' attitudes and behaviors on athletes' body image.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Self Efficacy; Body Image; Sports; Athletes; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36345079
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.10.008 -
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics May 2022Over the past 30 years, attentional bias for body shape and weight content has been implicated in the precipitation and maintenance of body dissatisfaction and eating... (Review)
Review
Over the past 30 years, attentional bias for body shape and weight content has been implicated in the precipitation and maintenance of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Although the existence of this bias toward body stimuli is well-established in female populations, it is comparatively understudied in men. This review aimed to examine the nature of this visual attentional bias toward male bodies in male samples across a range of different attentional paradigms, including eye-tracking, dot-probe, and the visual search task. Results were heterogenous, finding some evidence that men with higher body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms demonstrated an attentional bias toward desirable bodies of other men, and undesirable features of their own bodies. These results suggest that schematic cognitive models of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders body may also be applicable to men, however more research is needed.
Topics: Attention; Attentional Bias; Body Image; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Male
PubMed: 35355232
DOI: 10.3758/s13414-022-02466-7 -
Globalization and Health Aug 2016Nutritional disorders are now spreading worldwide both in developed and developing countries. Body image ideals and dissatisfaction have been linked to a number of poor... (Review)
Review
Nutritional disorders are now spreading worldwide both in developed and developing countries. Body image ideals and dissatisfaction have been linked to a number of poor health outcomes, including nutritional disorders. While previous studies have offered insight into weight status and body image perception of immigrants in North America, very few studies have analysed these aspects in migrants from Africa to Europe. Our review examines the effects of the migration process on beauty ideals and body dissatisfaction in African immigrants in Europe compared to residents in their own countries. The PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published from January 2000 till November 2015. Of the 730 titles identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. Among African residents, the body preferences depend on the country of residence and their socio-cultural status. Ethnic groups living in great isolation or with low incomes still have an ancestral idea of beauty, preferring a shapely body. However ethnic groups living in urban areas are moving toward Westernization of beauty ideals, preferring underweight or normal weight bodies. This review highlights that both residents and migrants are at high risk of nutritional disorders due to the adoption of Western beauty ideals. The results suggest that body dissatisfaction and BMI are increasing from Southern Africa to Europe according to a geographical gradient (described for females by Spearman's coefficient and linear regression, respectively). We emphasize the need for monitoring of the weight and psychological status of immigrants and the development of specific preventive strategies in European countries.
Topics: Africa; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Emigrants and Immigrants; Europe; Humans; Perception
PubMed: 27558365
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-016-0184-6 -
Neural Plasticity 2016Knowledge of the body is filtered by perceptual information, recalibrated through predominantly innate stored information, and neurally mediated by direct sensory motor... (Review)
Review
Knowledge of the body is filtered by perceptual information, recalibrated through predominantly innate stored information, and neurally mediated by direct sensory motor information. Despite multiple sources, the immediate prediction, construction, and evaluation of one's body are distorted. The origins of such distortions are unclear. In this review, we consider three possible sources of awareness that inform body distortion. First, the precision in the body metric may be based on the sight and positioning sense of a particular body segment. This view provides information on the dual nature of body representation, the reliability of a conscious body image, and implicit alterations in the metrics and positional correspondence of body parts. Second, body awareness may reflect an innate organizational experience of unity and continuity in the brain, with no strong isomorphism to body morphology. Third, body awareness may be based on efferent/afferent neural signals, suggesting that major body distortions may result from changes in neural sensorimotor experiences. All these views can be supported empirically, suggesting that body awareness is synthesized from multimodal integration and the temporal constancy of multiple body representations. For each of these views, we briefly discuss abnormalities and therapeutic strategies for correcting the bodily distortions in various clinical disorders.
Topics: Awareness; Body Dysmorphic Disorders; Body Image; Humans; Neuronal Plasticity; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
PubMed: 27630779
DOI: 10.1155/2016/9834340 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2022Social agents associated with cheerleading environments are increasingly linked to body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (ED). This study examined ED...
Social agents associated with cheerleading environments are increasingly linked to body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (ED). This study examined ED risk across team type, squad type, and position. An additional purpose determined BID in clothing type (daily clothing, midriff uniform, and full uniform), and meta-perceptions from the perspective of peers (MP peers), parents (MP parents), and coaches (MP coaches). Female cheerleaders ( = 268) completed an online survey which included demographics, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and pathogenic behavior questions. Body image perceptions were assessed by using the Sex-Specific Figural Stimuli Silhouettes. Overall, 34.4% of cheerleaders ( = 268; mean age: 17.9 ± 2.7 years) exhibited an ED risk. Compared to All-Star cheerleaders, college cheerleaders demonstrated significant higher ED risk ( = 0.021), dieting subscale scores ( = 0.045), and laxative, diet pill, and diuretic use ( = 0.008). Co-ed teams compared to all-girl teams revealed higher means for the total EAT-26 ( = 0.018) and oral control subscale ( = 0.002). The BID in clothing type revealed that cheerleaders wanted to be the smallest in the midriff option ( < 0.0001, η2 = 0.332). The BID from meta-perception revealed that cheerleaders felt that their coaches wanted them to be the smallest ( < 0.001, η2 = 0.106). Cheerleaders are at risk for EDs and BID at any level. Regarding the midriff uniform, MP from the perspective of coaches showed the greatest difference between perceived and desired body image.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Body Dissatisfaction; Body Image; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 35206381
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042196