Article

Thin ideal internalization in Mexican girls: A test of the sociocultural model of eating disorders

July 2008
International Journal of Eating Disorders 41(5):448-57

DOI:10.1002/eat.20529

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Palo Alto Psychology Group

We examined the influence of thin ideal internalization on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Mexican girls. We sampled 137 public school girls aged 12-15 from a small city in Mexico. Participants were given Spanish versions of the sociocultural attitudes toward appearance scale, two measures of body dissatisfaction, the eating attitudes test, and the attitudinal familism scale. Thin ideal internalization mediated the relationship between thin ideal awareness and body dissatisfaction, and the relationship between thin ideal awareness and eating disorder symptoms. Attitudinal familism was negatively correlated with thin ideal internalization for girls outside of the normal weight range. Mexican girls are at risk of eating disorder symptoms, and there is support for the sociocultural model of disordered eating in this population. Hispanic family values may mark protection from thin ideal internalization in Mexican girls outside of the normal weight range.

Culture and Deaf Women's Body Image

Article

Sep 2018
J DEAF STUD DEAF EDU

The sociocultural model of eating disorders highlights the role of internalization of the thin ideal in the development of negative body image and disordered eating. Considering the limited diversity of models in mainstream media, individuals belonging to minoritized cultural groups may resist identifying with and internalizing mainstream beauty messages. The extent of internalization may also depend on an individual's acculturation status and experiences of acculturative stress. This study applied the sociocultural model to culturally Deaf women. Data were collected from 96 deaf, female, undergraduate students. Results support the sociocultural model; higher rates of internalization were associated with negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. However, neither Deaf nor Hearing acculturation predicted internalization. Despite this finding, stronger acculturation with either Deaf or Hearing culture predicted more positive body image, and higher rates of acculturative stress predicted negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILISM AND HELP-SEEKING WITH HISPANIC NURSING STUDENTS

Article

Cristina Perez Stearns

Influencias socioculturales asociadas a la percepción corporal en niño(a)s: una revisión y análisis de la literatura

Article

Jun 2013

Gabriela Lizeth Mariscal Rodríguez

In recent years, numerous studies have suggested the importance of the alteration of the perception of body image as an early symptom for the detection of eating disorders. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to do a review and analysis of the literature of those articles in which we may analyze the influence of friends, media and family about the body perception in children 8 to 13 years. For this was done a search for articles in the databases of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Science Direct, which relate sociocultural influences with the TCA and the body perception, for more than a decade. The female population and in developed countries were the main focus of attention in the research, the majority were of transverse type. In addition this hotfix allows you to observe that in spite of the fact that has been studied the socio-cultural influence that perception exists in the body there are still inconsistencies or lack of update on the investigations, which can be viewed in the instruments used and the design of the study. A limitation of this study was not encompass more years and find other reviews on the subject, that is why it is recommended to continue to extend the studies related to this theme not only with female shows, or in developed countries but also in those samples less studied.

Relationships between media influence, body image and sociocultural appearance ideals in Latin America: A systematic literature review

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2024

The rapidly growing body of research investigating media influence on body image in Latin America has not been previously comprehensively synthesised. We systematically reviewed studies of the relationships between media use/influence, body image, and sociocultural appearance ideals in Latin America (CRD42021254607). We searched PsycINFO/Medline, Pubmed, Web of Science, ERIC, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations, SciElo, and LILACS for quantitative and qualitative peer-reviewed articles and doctoral theses in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Research conducted in Latin America, published 1991–2023, measuring a) media use/influence, and b) body image or appearance ideals was included. 68 articles met inclusion criteria, and quality appraisal concluded that most were of medium/high quality. A narrative review found consistent quantitative relationships, stronger in women than men, between media use/internalisation of media ideals and both body dissatisfaction and thinner appearance ideals. In contrast, participants in qualitative studies acknowledged media influence on their body image, but perceived greater influence from family and peers. Limitations included a predominance of cross-sectional research from Brazil and Mexico with adolescents and young adults. Additional longitudinal, experimental, and interventional work from elsewhere in Latin America is needed, recruiting more diverse samples and assessing more culturally salient appearance aspects (e.g., skin tone and hair texture).

Mother–Daughter Relationship Quality and Body Image in Preadolescent Girls

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2016
J Child Fam Stud

Research suggests that mothers may play a role in girls’ body image development. The “interactive” hypothesis specifies that qualities of the mother–daughter relationship, as opposed to maternal modeling alone, predict daughter’s body image. We sought to understand how maternal relationship quality, from the perception of both daughters and mothers, was associated with preadolescent girls’ body image. The relationship between mother–daughter relationship quality and daughters’ body image was examined in 152 girls (ages 8–12) and their mothers. Mothers and daughters primarily identified as non-Hispanic white or Hispanic. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that daughters’ perception of mother–daughter relationship quality was associated with daughters’ body esteem and body dissatisfaction, adding a small, but significant, amount of variance above the larger effect of child z-BMI and age. In contrast, maternal perception of mother–daughter relationship quality was not associated with any child body image measures. Young girls who perceived their relationships with their mothers more positively had healthier body images. Although effect sizes were relatively small and the cross-sectional design precludes conclusions regarding causality, these results support the “interactive” model of body image development whereby the characteristics of the mother–daughter relationship (as perceived by the daughter) are related to body image. Our findings support the notion that daughters’ perceptions of strong mother–daughter relationships are associated with healthy child body image, and fall in line with family-based prevention efforts that attempt to enhance parent–child relationships.

Thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction in Sri Lankan adolescents

Article

Mar 2016
J HEALTH PSYCHOL

In this study, a survey of Sri Lankan adolescents explored relationships between thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction-issues that have received greater research attention in East Asia and the West. Girls scored lower in thin-ideal internalization and awareness and higher in self-esteem compared to boys; however, unlike in previous studies, body dissatisfaction did not differ significantly by gender. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses revealed that self-esteem moderated the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction among girls, but this was not observed for boys. Self-esteem as a protective factor against body dissatisfaction among Sri Lankan female adolescents was confirmed.

Role of Peer Influence and Thin-ideal Internalization on Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating in Mexican Girls

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2012

The aim of this study was to examine the role of peer influence and thin-ideal internalization on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The Eating Attitudes Test, the Body Shape Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Sociocultural Influences on the Aesthetic Body Shape Model were administered to 130 female students, with a mean age of 19.44. The results showed that thin-ideal internalization mediated the relationship between peer influence and body dissatisfaction (β=0.14, p>.05), and the relationship between peer influence and disordered eating (β=0.09, p>.05). This study supports the hypothesis that the thin-ideal internalization is an important mediator on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Mexican girls.

Cultural Strengths as Moderators of the Relationship Between Acculturation to the Mainstream US Society and Eating- and Body-Related Concerns Among Mexican American Women

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2009

This study explored whether 3 culturally relevant variables (i.e., ethnic identity, familism, and enculturation) operated as sources of strength for 209 Mexican American women by buffering the relationship between their acculturation to the mainstream U.S. society and eating- and body-related concerns. In an effort to capture the underlying dimensions of women’s eating- and body-related concerns, the authors used principal components analysis to identify 3 components: control concerns, restricted eating, and body dissatisfaction. As hypothesized, results from a series of hierarchical regressions suggested familism significantly buffered the links between acculturation to the mainstream U.S. society and all 3 eating- and body-related variables. However, enculturation did not moderate the associations, and ethnic identity moderated only the link between acculturation and restricted eating. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Disordered eating and suicidal intent: The role of thin ideal internalisation, shame and family criticism

Article

Jan 2012
EUR EAT DISORD REV

We explored the effect of thin ideal internalisation, shame proneness and family criticism on disordered eating and suicidal intent in female Mexican adolescents. We studied a probabilistic sample of 2537 high school students in central Mexico, stratified by marginalisation status and migratory intensity. We used a generalised logistic regression model to estimate the odds of disordered eating and suicidal intent across scores for three predictors: Internalisation of the thin ideal, shame and family criticism. Disordered eating was reported by 4.2% (95% CI = 0.9-7.5%) and suicidal intent by 13.2% (95% CI = 12.0-14.4%) of girls. The unadjusted odds ratios of any disordered eating for thin ideal internalisation, shame proneness and familial criticism were 1.2, 1.1 and 3.2, respectively. The positive association between thin ideal internalisation and disordered eating remained even after controlling for shame proneness and familial criticism. The association of these variables with suicidal intent was weaker. Results support stronger effects for disordered eating than suicidal intent across the three unadjusted predictors. It also highlights the presence of the relationship of criticism and disordered eating in female adolescents from low and middle socio-economic backgrounds.

Latinas’ internalization of U.S. beauty ideals as a moderator of the relations between appearance-related messages from family members and Latinas’ depressive symptoms

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2024
J SOC PERS RELAT

Depression is a prevalent concern in Latinas; thus, it is critical that we examine the associations between negative eating and weight messages from mothers, fathers, and sisters, and depressive symptoms in Latinas. We utilized a sample of 195 Latina/Hispanic young women (Mage = 23.25 years; range = 18–25; SD = 1.93; 67.4% Mexican-origin) to explore the moderating role of Latinas' internalization of U.S. beauty ideals on the associations between negative eating and weight messages from mothers, fathers, and sisters, and Latinas' depressive symptoms. We conducted three hierarchical regression analyses and found that negative messages from each family member (i.e., mothers, fathers, and sisters) and Latinas' internalization of U.S. beauty ideals were significantly and positively associated with Latinas' depressive symptoms. Further, we found that under both high and low internalization of U.S. beauty ideals, there was a positive association between negative messages from sisters and depressive symptoms. However, this association was stronger for those with high internalization of U.S. beauty ideals. Findings from this study further solidify the importance of family members' negative eating and weight messages for Latinas' well-being. Additionally, our study demonstrates that internalizing U.S. beauty ideals is associated with Latinas’ mental health.

Internalization of athletic body ideal as a mediating variable between family influence and body image of young women. A cross-cultural study of polish, Italian, and Ukrainian women

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023

Introduction Our aim was to analyze the strength of the family’s influence on the internalization of the ideal of an athletic figure and, consequently, on the multifactorial image of the body, from the perspective of intercultural differences Methods A total of 488 healthy women aged 19–26; of Polish (154), Ukrainian (228), and Italian (106) took part in the study. The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-4) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ 69) were used to measure athletic ideal internalization and family pressure. The body image of Ukrainian, Polish, and Italian women depends both on the degree of internalization the ideal of an athletic figure and influence of the family Results and Discussion The research also suggests significant differences between the three populations, which may suggest cultural differences between young women living in Eastern, Central, and South European countries.

Body image as a global mental health concern

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2023
GMH

Body image concerns related to weight or other dimensions of appearance are now prevalent on a global scale. This paper reviews the theoretical frameworks that account for the global similarities and regional differences in rates and presentation of body image concerns, as well as reviewing the extant data. Given the harmful consequences of body image concerns in terms of mental and physical health, their global burden is high. Interventions to mitigate these concerns at the individual and systemic level are warranted.

An update on the epidemiology of eating disorders in Latin America: current findings and future challenges

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
CURR OPIN PSYCHIATR

Purpose of review We systematically reviewed the recent literature on the epidemiology of eating disorders in Latin America. Recent findings Most screened articles only investigated risk for eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors. Four studies reported prevalence for eating disorders. One study reported age-standardized prevalence ranging from 0.04% [95% confidence interval, CI (0.03, 0.06)] to 0.09% [95% CI (0.07, 0.13)] for anorexia nervosa and from 0.13% [95% CI (0.08, 0.17)] to 0.27% [95% CI (0.18, 0.37)] for bulimia nervosa. Three additional studies conducted in Brazil identified a general eating disorder point-prevalence of 0.40% in children aged 6--14 years and a point-prevalence of 0.7 % [95% CI (0.34, 1.55)] for bulimia nervosa, 1.4% [95% CI (0.81, 2.43)] for binge-eating disorder and 6.2% [95% CI (3.10, 5.27)] for recurrent binge eating. Summary Since 2020, only few studies were published on the epidemiology of full-threshold eating disorders in Latin America. Prevalence was in a comparable range to previous findings. No studies regarding new DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses were identified, and studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence or incidence of eating disorders in these countries are needed.

An update on the epidemiology of eating disorders in Latin America: Current findings and future challenges

Preprint

Full-text available

Jun 2022

Purpose of review We systematically reviewed the recent literature on the epidemiology of eating disorders in Latin America. Recent findings Most screened articles only investigated risk for eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors. Four studies reported prevalence for eating disorders. One study reported age-standardized prevalence ranging from 0.04% (95% CI [0.03, 0.06]) to 0.09 % (95% CI [0.07, 0.13] for anorexia nervosa and from 0.13% (95% CI [0.08, 0.17]) to 0.27% (95% CI [0.18, 0.37]) for bulimia nervosa. Three additional studies conducted in Brazil identified a general eating disorder point-prevalence of 0.40 % in children aged 6 to 14 years and a point-prevalence of 0.7 % (95 % CI [0.34, 1.55]) for bulimia nervosa, 1.4 % (95 % CI [0.81, 2.43]) for binge eating disorder and 6.2 % (95 % CI [3.10, 5.27]) for recurrent binge eating. Summary Since 2020, only few studies were published on the epidemiology of full-threshold eating disorders in Latin America. Prevalence was in a comparable range to previous findings. No studies regarding new DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses were identified, and studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence or incidence of eating disorders in these countries are needed.

Media Internalized Pressure and Restrained Eating Behavior in College Students: The Multiple Mediating Effects of Body Esteem and Social Physique Anxiety

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022

Background Restrained eating behavior has become the norm in college students' lives, and considering the harm it causes to college students, it is necessary to explore the factors associated with it. The aim of this study was to explore the association between media internalized pressure, body esteem, social physique anxiety, and restrained eating behavior. Methods The participants in this study were 1,032 Chinese college students (439 males and 593 females) and had a mean age of 20.22 years (SD = 1.277). They completed the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3, Body Esteem Scale (BES), Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Results The results showed that media internalized pressure was significantly and positively associated with college students' restrained eating behavior, that body esteem and social physique anxiety played a mediating role between media internalized pressure and restrained eating behavior, respectively, and that body esteem and social physique anxiety can also play a chained mediating role. Conclusion This study reveals the relationship between media internalized pressure and restrained eating behavior, and the important role played by body esteem and social physique anxiety. Future interventions targeting restrained eating should focus on the aspects of body esteem and social physique anxiety.

PERCEPCIÓN DEL CUERPO SALUDABLE Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA INSATISFACCIÓN CORPORAL EN ADOLESCENTES MEXICANOS

Article

Full-text available

May 2018

Introducción. Campañas de prevención de la obesidad que simbolizan el cuerpo saludable como aquel sin exceso de peso, podrían afectar la percepción de la imagen corporal de los adolescentes, tal como ocurre con la publicidad del ideal estético. Objetivo. Evaluar la percepción que tienen del cuerpo saludable y su relación con la insatisfacción corporal. Método. Se realizó una encuesta en 460 adolescentes de una escuela pública de la ciudad de México. Se utilizó un test de siluetas para evaluar la percepción de: su imagen actual, la imagen que les gustaría tener y la imagen que consideran saludable de acuerdo a las campañas de prevención de la obesidad. La información se analizó mediante correlaciones estadísticas entre cada una de las percepciones corporales con la insatisfacción. Resultados. La mayoría de los adolescentes (76.8%) ubican el cuerpo saludable en un índice de masa corporal de peso normal. También se encontró una relación casi nula con dirección negativa entre el cuerpo saludable y la insatisfacción corporal. Conclusiones. Los resultados señalan que las campañas logran que los adolescentes identifiquen un cuerpo asociado con menores riesgos a la salud, sin implicar gran afectación en su percepción de la imagen corporal.

Cartas al editor

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2017
SALUD PUBLICA MEXICO

Jorge Armando Barriguete Meléndez

J. Armando Barriguete M, Eva Trujillo, Mauricio Hernández, André Parodi. Legislación y salud pública en Francia. Rev Mexicana de Salud Pública. 2017. 59,5,502.

Legislación y salud pública en Francia

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2017
SALUD PUBLICA MEXICO

Señor editor: Sabemos que existen muchas maneras de proteger a nuestra población y, particularmente, a la población en mayor riesgo.

A systematic review of the existing models of disordered eating: Do they inform the development of effective interventions?

Article

Dec 2015
CLIN PSYCHOL REV

Despite significant advances in the development of prevention and treatment interventions for eating disorders and disordered eating over the last decade, there still remains a pressing need to develop more effective interventions. In line with the 2008 Medical Research Council (MRC) evaluation framework from the United Kingdom for the development and evaluation of complex interventions to improve health, the development of sound theory is a necessary precursor to the development of effective interventions. The aim of the current review was to identify the existing models for disordered eating and to identify those models which have helped inform the development of interventions for disordered eating. In addition, we examine the variables that most commonly appear across these models, in terms of future implications for the development of interventions for disordered eating. While an extensive range of theoretical models for the development of disordered eating were identified (N = 54), only ten (18.5%) had progressed beyond mere description and to the development of interventions that have been evaluated. It is recommended that future work examines whether interventions in eating disorders increase in efficacy when developed in line with theoretical considerations, that initiation of new models gives way to further development of existing models, and that there be greater utilisation of intervention studies to inform the development of theory.

A systematic review of the existing models of disordered eating: Do they inform the development of effective interventions?

Conference Paper

Jun 2016

Aim: Despite significant advances in the development of prevention and treatment interventions for eating disorders and disordered eating over the last decade, there still remains a need to develop more effective interventions. In line with the 2008 Medical Research Council (MRC) evaluation framework from the United Kingdom for the development and evaluation of complex interventions, the development of sound theory is a necessary precursor to the development of effective interventions. Thus the aim of the current review is to identify the existing models for disordered eating and identify those models which have helped inform the development of prevention and/or treatment interventions for disordered eating. Method: A literature search was conducted by using the PsycINFO database (OvidSP). Keywords anorexia nervosa (Title) OR bulimia nervosa (Title) OR disordered eating (Title) OR eating disorders (Title) OR bulimic (Title) OR eating (Title) AND model (Title) OR theory (Title) were used to locate pertinent publications in all journals using an advanced search. Publications were then inspected for studies meeting inclusion criteria. Results: While an extensive range of theoretical models for the development of disordered eating were identified, only a few models have led to the development of effective interventions. Of the fifty-four models described in the literature, only ten (18.5%) had progressed beyond mere description and on to the development of interventions that have been evaluated. The frontrunners in the efforts to develop complex interventions for disordered eating from theory and the intervention approaches informed by them will be discussed. Conclusion: This review will add important insights to the eating disorder literature and help to inform the development of effective approaches to prevention and treatment.

Subclinical eating disorders in female medical students in Anhui, China: A cross-sectional study

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2015
NUTR HOSP

Purpose: This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and possible associated factors (depressive symptoms, anxiety and BMI, etc) on EDs in female medical students in China. Methods: A total of 1,135 students in Wuhu, Anhui Province were sampled to participate in this survey. The survey collected sociodemographic data, depressive symptoms, anxiety and eating behaviors of students. Results: The students at risk for eating disorders were 2.17%. Eating disorder risk was more frequent in students with poor parent's relationship, students with poor relationship with parents, students with high body mass index, students who were excessive focus on slimming propaganda, and students whose relatives have a diet. Also, the mean scores for the psychological factors of depression and anxiety were higher in students with eating disorder risk. A multiple linear regression model was produced depicting that depression, anxiety, high level of BMI, focusing on slimming propaganda, and dieting status among relatives were risk factors of having an eating disorder risk. Conclusions: A significant fraction of female medical students in Anhui are at high risk of development of eating disorders. A comprehensive intervention focusing on family environment and emotion management should be designed to prevent occurrence of such disorders among medical students that would undoubtedly hamper the availability of dependable medical services in future.

Creando Posibilidades: A Cognitive Model of Risk Behaviors in Mexican American Women

Article

Jun 2014

Colleen Keller

A prevailing theory within eating disorder literature is that the process of acculturation and the strength of ethnic identity are key determinants of disordered eating and related health risk behaviors for Latinas. In this paper, we describe a longitudinal study to test the theoretical proposition that the configuration of personal identities buffers the effects of acculturation on a triad of modifiable risk behaviors (disordered eating, alcohol use and tobacco use) in college-enrolled Mexican American (MA) women. Using the self-schema model to conceptualize personal identities, we review the causal pathways linking self-schema properties to risk behaviors and describe the longitudinal design and measures used to test the hypothesized relationships. We discuss the causal role of the self-concept in the development of the risk behavior patterns among young Latinas, and the association between socio-cultural factors and properties of the self-concept. We describe our longitudinal study design that enables us to examine the pattern of association among the risk behaviors, and the appropriateness of measures that operationalize the theoretical concepts in the study.

Wish to be thinner : Development and Prediction of Disturbed Eating: A Longitudinal Study of Swedish Girls and Young Women

Article

Jan 2010

Josefin Westerberg Jacobson

Examining the Relationships Between Physical Functioning, Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, Familismo, and Depressive Symptoms for Latino Older Adults

Article

Jan 2013
COUNS PSYCHOL

In this study, the authors examined the contributions of physical functioning, acculturation, the Latino cultural value of familismo, and ethnic identity in predicting depressive symptoms in a community sample of Latino older adults. The participants were 98 Latino older adults, age 65 and older, from a moderately sized Midwestern city. Multiple regression analyses indicated that physical functioning, acculturation, familismo, and ethnic identity were significantly related to depressive symptoms. Due to the limited empirical research focused on ethnic identity among older adults, the construct of ethnic identity was closely examined in an effort to extend ethnic identity theory and research specific to Latino older adults. The findings are discussed within the context of ethnic identity theory and implications for research and practice.

Relationship between body image, physical activity and country of origin among Hispanic women in New York City

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Nov 2010

Background: Hispanics in the U.S. do not engage in recommended amount of leisure-time physical activity. Prior research has found that body dissatisfaction is associated with physical inactivity. Hispanics have high levels of body dissatisfaction, thus it is important to understand how body dissatisfaction and physical activity are related in this population. However, most research among Hispanics fails to differentiate by country of origin. The aims of this study are to describe body image dissatisfaction and to evaluate its association with physical activity among a diverse group of Hispanic women in New York. Methods: We recruited 182 Hispanic women in New York City who completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding their physical activity and 13 body image-related questions using a series of 9 female figure silhouettes, ranging from very thin to very obese. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined the association of body dissatisfaction, calculated as the difference between the participant's actual shape and the shape they would most like to be, with physical activity and country of origin, adjusting for BMI and demographics (age, education, marital status, and income). Results: Participants were Dominican (42%), Puerto Rican (34%) or from other Latin American countries (24%). Compared to Dominicans, participants from Puerto Rico had significantly lower odds of body dissatisfaction (OR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.43-0.02). Engaging in vigorous physical activity was also associated with significantly lower odds of body dissatisfaction (OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99). Conclusions: Our results suggest that body image dissatisfaction among Latinas varies by country of origin and by physical activity.

Real women have curves: Body image paradox among Latina women in the US

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Nov 2007

Goals This presentation examines the relationship between Latinas' body image and their ability to maintain a desired weight. Research questions addressed the psychosocial and cultural factors that influence body image and their possible conditioning effect on self-esteem and self-efficacy. Methods Six focus groups of Latinas were conducted in New York City, two consisting of physically active women and four of non-physically active ones. A multi-method data collection system was used based on individual instruments and group guidelines. Questions addressed Latinas' cultural and personal factors related to their desired body image vis--vis their weight control efforts. Results Women in both samples mentioned health maintenance and body image as strong motivators for physical activity and balanced eating. However, participants from the non-physically active sample presented a body image paradox, expressed as a contradictory interpretative framework regarding body image. These participants acknowledged the influence of mainstream stereotypes that portray the fit/thin woman as synonymous with the Caucasian body type, but also introduced the Latina curvy shape as a counter-image to which they subscribe. This contradiction was reflected in their stated struggles to keep a desired body weight and in their mixed feeling regarding the benefits of physical activity. Implications of these results are discussed. Particularly, health messages should challenge a uniform model of womanhood, which may have a negative impact on Latinas' efforts to control weight. The promotion of more realistic body types that are in tune with women's differences may be more effective in targeting non-physically active Latino women in the US.

El Test de Actitudes hacia la Alimentación en Costa Rica: primeras evidencias de validez y confiabilidad

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2012

Zaida Salazar-Mora

Objetivo. Se analiza la estructura factorial y la confiabilidad del Test de Actitudes hacia la Alimentación (EAT-40) y se examina su efectividad para diferenciar a las personas diagnosticadas con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA: anorexia y bulimia). Participantes. Participaron en el estudio 569 mujeres entre los 10 y los 39 años de edad con y sin diagnóstico de TCA (n = 19, n = 533, respectivamente), quienes llenaron el cuestionario EAT-40. Procedimientos. En una primera parte se realizó el análisis factorial confirmatorio de la escala, luego se estimó la confiabilidad interna de cada subescala, seguidamente se examinó la validez de criterio mediante la comparación de los grupos con y sin diagnóstico de TCA. Resultados. Las estadísticas psicométricas mostraron resultados satisfactorios a nivel de la estructura factorial (tres factores) y alfa de Cronbach (a = .889); asimismo, se obtuvieron buenas propiedades de discriminación a partir de los puntos de corte de 30 (sensibilidad 63.2%, especificidad 85.8%) y de 20 (sensibilidad 73.7%, especificidad 71.8%) y se evidenció que el EAT-40 diferencia entre personas con y sin diagnóstico de TCA.

Prevalencia y magnitud de la insatisfacción con el peso e imagen corporal en mujeres estudiantes de Dietética

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2010

Some authors have suggested that body weight dissatisfaction may be high in students majoring in dietetics. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the extent of body weight and image dissatisfaction in a sample of women in dietetics major. Additionally, predictors of magnitude of body weight dissatisfaction were analyzed. Participants were 62 volunteers with normalweight whose mean age was 21.87±1.89 years old (non-random sample). The assessment instruments included anthropometric measurements, a somatomorphic matrix test and an eating disorders inventory (EDI-2). Data were analyzed using SPSS vs. 15.0. A larger proportion of students chose an ideal body weight lower than actual weight (67.7%) and body image with less body fat and more muscle mass than actual values (56.4%). The magnitude of body weight dissatisfaction was associated with muscle mass and body fat dissatisfaction, and with the subscale of EDI-2 “body dissatisfaction”. So, from a public health standpoint, we consider important to continue working in this line of research with the aim of better understanding the extent of body weight dissatisfaction in women dietitians, and how this dissatisfaction could interfere with their professional practice.Algunos autores han sugerido que los estudiantes de Dietética pueden presentar una elevada insatisfacción con el peso corporal. Por este motivo, se llevó a cabo el presente trabajo con el objetivo de analizar la insatisfacción con el peso y la imagen corporal en una muestra de mujeres estudiantes de Dietética. Además, se analizaron predictores de la magnitud de la insatisfacción con el peso corporal. Las participantes fueron 62 voluntarias con normopeso que tenían una media de edad de 21,87±1,89 años (muestra no aleatoria). La evaluación incluyó medidas antropométricas, el test somatomórfico matrix y el eating disorders inventory (EDI-2). Los resultados se analizaron con el programa estadístico SPSS vs. 15.0. Un elevado porcentaje de estudiantes eligieron un peso ideal menor que su peso actual (67,7%) e imágenes corporales con menos grasa corporal y más masa muscular que la que tienen actualmente (56,4%). La magnitud de la insatisfacción con el peso corporal se asoció con la insatisfacción con la grasa corporal y la masa muscular, y con la subescala “insatisfacción corporal” del EDI-2. Por lo que, desde el punto de vista de salud pública, consideramos de interés seguir trabajando en esta línea de investigación con el objetivo de comprender mejor el grado de insatisfacción con el peso corporal en mujeres dietistas, y cómo esa insatisfacción podría afectar a su práctica profesional.

Can Internalization of Sociocultural Beauty Standards Predict Adolescents’ Physical Activity?

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2014

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the internalization of sociocultural standards of physical attractiveness and physical activity among adolescents of both genders. The participants of the study were 821 adolescents from 15 to 18 years of age. Internalization of general sociocultural standards of physical attractiveness was associated with significantly lower strenuous and moderate PA in girls, but not in boys. Internalization of athletic body image was associated with higher strenuous PA in both genders.

Body Satisfaction and Eating Attitudes among Girls and Young Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Article

Apr 2014

Purpose The main goal of the current study was to examine the associations between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body dissatisfaction and eating attitudes in a sample of adolescent girls and young women. Body dissatisfaction is 1 of the strongest predictors of the development of negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, and eating disorders. In adolescent age group of patients, both hirsutism and increased body mass index, appearing with PCOS, may be the leading symptoms also resulting or contributing to body dissatisfaction and eating disorder. Materials and Methods The sample of 94 Turkish adolescent girls and young women [PCOS (n = 42) vs non-PCOS (n = 52)] completed measures of figure rating scale, the socio-cultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire, body esteem scale, eating attitude test, and demographics. Results and Conclusion The results revealed that body esteem was important for predicting eating attitudes in both groups and sociocultural internalization of thinness ideal and body dissatisfaction were also significant factors in PCOS group. However, scores for major study variables (BMI, sociocultural attitudes toward awareness and internalized appearance ideals, body esteem subscales, body dissatisfaction and eating attitudes) in the PCOS group were not significantly higher than those for girls without PCOS.

Media and Cultural Influences in African-American Girls’ Eating Disorder Risk

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2013

Objective. To investigate media and cultural influences in eating disorder development in African-American adolescent females. Method. Fifty-seven participants were recruited through churches and community organizations to complete a questionnaire. Results. Mainstream sociocultural identification was associated with more eating disorder behavior in African-American females; cultural ethnic identification was not significantly associated with eating disorder behavior in African-American females, mainstream sociocultural identification, cultural ethnic identification, and body dissatisfaction significantly predicted eating disorder behavior; and cultural ethnic identification was positively correlated with mainstream sociocultural identification. This study provides support for the importance of eating disorder prevention interventions that focus specifically on African-American girls.

A Longitudinal Study of Motives for Wishing to Be Thinner and Weight-control Practices in 7- to 18-Year-Old Swedish Girls

Article

Jul 2012
EUR EAT DISORD REV

The main aim of this seven-year longitudinal study, of 411 Swedish pre-adolescent girls (aged 7-11 years, Year 1), was to examine a wish to be thinner, dieting attempts, described motives for wishing to be thinner and weight-control practices. A further aim was to examine to what extent body mass index (BMI) accounted for motives for wishing to be thinner and weight-control practices. A wish to be thinner and dieting attempts increased significantly with increasing age between the ages of 9 and 18. The most frequently reported motive for wishing to be thinner was to 'feel better about yourself'. Categories that emerged from the qualitative analysis of self-described motives for the wish to be thinner were, for example, to 'correspond to the societal ideal' and to 'wear particular clothes'. A majority of the girls adopted weight-control practices that would be considered as healthy, but extreme weight-control practices increased with age. Girls with BMIs over the 75th percentile reported a greater number of motives for wishing to be thinner and used extreme weight-control practices significantly more often than the other girls. However, of the girls who changed BMI from above the 75th percentile to under the 75th percentile, 34.1% reported that they had not used any weight-control practices at all. Our results show that girls at a very early age are aware of the 'thin' ideal in our society, wish to be thinner and try to lose weight. The results point to the importance of detecting girls who wish to be thinner as early as possible. If we can employ preventive action in time, it is possible that dieting behaviour will never develop.

Automatic pro-thin/anti-fat biases can develop without previous visual exposure to body shapes

Article

Jun 2023

Endorsement of the thin beauty ideal increases risk for future body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among women. Visual-based media is theorized to be a central pathway through which the thin ideal is internalized. This internalization process results in formation of automatic pro-thin and anti-fat attitudes. However, it is often difficult to separate the contribution of visual-based media and other forms of communication in the creation of such attitudes. Using a novel auditory implicit association test, we show that women with congenital blindness with no previous exposure to body shapes develop automatic pro-thin and anti-fat attitudes to the same extent as sighted women. This result was replicated in studies conducted in two countries involving a combined total of 62 women with blindness and 80 sighted women. Results suggest that internalization of the thin ideal can occur without visual exposure to images of the thin beauty ideal or visual exposure to one's own body.

A Structural Model of Body - Image in Iranian’s Female Students: Effects of Weight, Height, Body Mass Index, Self–Esteem, Appearance Schema, Appearance Related Beliefs and Body Checking on Body Image

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2022

To investigate a model about body image of Iranian’s female students and determining structural relations of physical and psychological factors related to body image, 497 female students from Islamic Azad University Zarand Branch randomly selected. After measuring weight, height and calculating body mass index of participants, they assessed by body image state scale, self- esteem scale of Marsh self-concept test, the appearance schema inventory-revised, personal appearance beliefs test and body checking questionnaire. Evaluation of the proposed model with structural equation modeling (SEM) by using of maximum likelihood estimation of AMOS software and calculation of fit indices indicated that, hypothetical model has the goodness of fit with the data. Results showed that, these model direct and indirect effects of physical and cognitive-behavioral factors respectively, .417 and .33, explain 53% of variation in body image. These findings are consistent with the results of other research, modeling in the area of body image, and furthermore, helping in better knowing complex biological and psychological structure of body image

مدلی ساختاری درباره‌ی تن انگاره ی دانشجویان مونث ایرانی : تاثیر قد، وزن، شاخص توده‌ی بدنی، عزت نفس ، طرحواره‌ی ظاهر، باورهای مربوط به ظاهر، و وارسی بدن بر تن ا نگاره

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016

این پژوهش با هدف بررسی مدلی درباره ی تن انگاره وتعیین روابط ساختاری عوامل جسمی و عوامل شناختی ـ رفتاری دخیل در تن انگاره دانشجویان مونثایرانی انجام شد. به این منظورنمونه ای به حجم 497 نفراز دانشجویان دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد زرند به طورتصادفی انتخاب شدند و پس از اندازه گیری قد، وزن و شاخص توده بدنی با استفاده ازمقیاس حالت تن انگاره، مقیاس عزت نفس آزمون خویشتن پنداره ی مارش، پرسشنامه ی طرحواره ی ظاهر تجدید نظر شده، آزمون باورهای شخصی مربوط به ظاهر و پرسشنامه وارسی بدن مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفتند. ارزشیابی مدل با معادله ساختاری مدل سازی با استفاده از روش حداکثر احتمال برآورد دربرنامه نرم افزاری آموس ومحاسبه ی شاخصهای تناسب مدل حاکی از نیکویی برازش مدل پیشنهادی بود. اثرات مستقیم و غیر مستقیم سازه ی عوامل جسمی و سازه ی عوامل شناختی ـ رفتاری به ترتیب با 0.417 و0.33 دراین مدل، 53٪ از تغییرپذیری تن انگاره دانشجویان مورد مطالعه را تبیین می کند. این یافته ها ضمن همخوانی با نتایج پژوهشهای مربوط به عوامل تاثیر گذار برتن انگاره و برخی از مدلهای آن، به شناخت بهتر ساختار پیچیده ی زیستی و روانشناختی تن انگاره کمک می کنند.

Body image and disordered eating behaviors in Hispanic/Latino Youth: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth

Article

May 2022
APPETITE

Background Prevalence of certain disordered eating behaviors is higher among Hispanic youth compared to non-Hispanics. Understanding the role of body image and social attitudes towards weight in disordered eating may inform treatment in Hispanic youth. Methods We analyzed data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth). Our sample included 1,463 children aged 8–16 years from four sites (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, San Diego) assessed in 2011–2014. Body image discrepancy score was calculated as the difference between perceived ideal body image and actual body image using two numbered visual graphs: adolescent (n = 728) or child (n = 735), each with slightly different scales. Questionnaires measured influences from social attitudes toward weight and disordered eating behaviors. Three disordered eating behaviors (dieting, overeating, and compensatory behaviors) were analyzed as the dependent variable. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, acculturative stress, and field center to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Mean body image discrepancy score was −0.79 for adolescents (SE = 0.08) and −0.50 for children (SE = 0.05), with a negative score signifying a perceived actual body image larger than their ideal. Body image discrepancy was strongly associated with dieting (dieting ≥5 times/year aOR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.53, 0.77) and compensatory behaviors (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.50, 0.85) among adolescents, and was strongly associated with overeating among children (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.61, 0.91). Significant associations were not observed with social attitudes towards weight. Conclusions Associations observed with body image discrepancy and disordered eating behaviors can inform interventions in Hispanic/Latino youth, which should consider acculturative stress.

La perspectiva de género en la salud.

Book

Full-text available

Jan 2016

Los médicos necesitan diagnosticar, tratar y rehabilitar las enfermedades de acuerdo con el sexo de los y las pacientes, pero es importante también que respondan a las diferencias de género –influenciadas por factores sociales, económicos, culturales, geográficos y de comportamiento– para entender la manera en que las mujeres y los hombres enferman, y se acercan a su propia salud.

Estigma en Psiquiatría: Perspectivas y Nudos Problemáticos

Book

Full-text available

Oct 2018

Cuando Guatemala decidió participar como país sede del XXIX Congreso de la Asociación Psiquiátrica de América Latina, elaboramos un plan de gobierno, que incluyera dentro de sus ejes temáticos de trabajo “El Estigma en Psiquiatría y Salud Mental”, el cual se constituyó en el tema prioritario. Durante el desarrollo del presente bienio (2016-2018), los países miembros de la APAL, se han comprometido en apoyar, incluyendo en sus diferentes Programas, temas relacionados con el Estigma en Psiquiatría. Abordados en el marco de los Congresos Médicos, Actividades Académicas, Discursos, Comunicados y una serie de acciones dentro de sus Asociaciones y/o Sociedades o fuera de ellas. El inicio de este trabajo comenzó con el título del XXIX Congreso de la APAL: “Reto de una Psiquiatría para todos: Desestigmatización y Trabajo Comunitario”. Mismo que se realizó en Ciudad de Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala del 29 de octubre al 1 de noviembre 2016. Esta motivación de trabajar intensamente sobre el Estigma en Psiquiatría, se justifica debido a que probablemente no exista otro ámbito de la salud cuyos usuarios y usuarias hayan sido objeto de maltrato y vejaciones que pueda compararse con lo que han sufrido el colectivo de personas con un trastorno mental. La discriminación, el trato, las condiciones de vida y las mínimas posibilidades de desarrollo de una persona, la violación de sus derechos, violación que la Salud Mental vive día a día, y que es ejercida tanto por las Instituciones públicas de Salud, como por la sociedad en conjunto. El estigma empeora la calidad de vida afectando negativamente las oportunidades de educación e inserción laboral, e interfiere en los esfuerzos de rehabilitación, afectando a la familia y debilitando la red social de soporte. Es un problema social que debe ser abordado desde las instituciones, la propia sociedad y los medios de comunicación. (OMS) El actual Comité Ejecutivo de la APAL, consideró necesario dejar un legado a la Sociedad Latinoamericana, publicando un libro sobre el tema abordado, por lo que, se solicitó apoyo a las diferentes Secciones que trabajan incansablemente en pro de la Institución apalista. Agradecimiento que hoy patentizo a las Secciones de la APAL, coordinadas extraordinariamente por la Dra. Graciela Beatriz Onofrio, desde hace varios años. También agradezco a las Asociaciones y Sociedades miembros de la APAL, por su asistencia a la Asamblea Extraordinaria realizada en el Departamento de El Petén, Guatemala, el día 27 de enero 2018 donde se produjo el Documento sobre Estigma en Psiquiatría y Salud Mental. Presentamos el libro “Estigma en psiquiatría: Perspectivas y nudos problemáticos”. Como un esfuerzo del Comité Ejecutivo de la APAL 2016-2018. Emigdio Enrique Mendoza Gaitán Presidente de APAL 2016-2018

The Relationship between Adolescents’ Interests in Celebrities and Eating Disorder Symptoms Based on the Concept of Celebrity Worship

Article

Aug 2016

Mortality in Women With Anorexia Nervosa: The Role of Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders

Article

Apr 2016

Objective: To investigate mortality in anorexia nervosa (AN) with a psychiatric comorbidity. Methods: Using Swedish registers, data for 8069 female inpatients with AN were retrospectively collected for 1973-2010. Mortality patterns were assessed using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), Cox regression-derived hazard ratios, and incidence rate ratios. A control cohort of 76,995 women was used. Results: Patients with AN and a psychiatric comorbidity had higher mortality rates did than those without a comorbidity. The SMRs for patients with AN and a psychiatric comorbidity were 5.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.6-6.4) and 18.1 (95% CI = 15.2-21.3) for natural and unnatural causes of death, respectively. The SMRs for patients with AN without a comorbidity were 2.8 (95% CI = 2.3-3.5) and 3.1 (95% CI = 2.2-4.1) for natural and unnatural causes of death, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios for mortality from natural or unnatural causes were 2.0 (95% CI = 1.5-2.7) and 5.7 (95% CI = 3.9-8.2), respectively. Incidence rate ratios comparing patients with AN and controls, both with psychiatric comorbidities, suggest a negative synergistic effect of comorbid AN and psychiatric disorder on mortality, which was greater for unnatural causes of death. Conclusions: Mortality in patients with AN was greater in the presence of a psychiatric comorbidity, and even more profound for unnatural causes of death and suicides. Substance abuse, especially alcohol use disorder, increased mortality from natural causes of death. These findings highlight the need for early detection and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity in AN, to potentially improve long-term outcomes.

Sociocultural Influences associated with the body perception in children: a review and analysis of the literature

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2013

Gabriela Lizeth Mariscal Rodríguez

Mothers’ and daughters’ beliefs about factors affecting preadolescent girls’ body satisfaction

Article

Mar 2015
BODY IMAGE

Body dissatisfaction is common in preadolescent girls. In this qualitative study, preadolescent girls (N = 145) wrote descriptions of factors that made them feel good and bad about their bodies. Their mothers (N = 145) also wrote about factors they believed made their daughters feel good and bad about their bodies. Statements were coded using thematic analysis. Chi-square analyses examined mother–daughter dyad agreement, and differences in influential factors based on ethnic identity. Despite general agreement in overall themes, results indicated limited agreement within mother–daughter dyads. Specifically, one significant result was detected: mothers and their daughters agreed on the importance of teasing as a negative influence on body satisfaction. There was one significant difference based on ethnic identity, with Hispanic girls mentioning more frequently than White girls that physical activity/exercise helped them feel good about their bodies. Recommendations are made for family-based interventions to support the body image of preadolescent girls.

Developmental Considerations of Media Exposure Risk for Eating Disorders

Chapter

Dec 2011

The number of eating disorder cases reported is on the rise, which is causing concern in the medical and scientific communities. The data show that many cases of eating disorders develop during adolescence. Consequently, extensive research directed at finding a developmental trigger for eating disorders has been initiated. The influence of mass media (i.e., television, radio, movies, magazines, the Internet, etc.) on this issue is consistently referenced in the literature as a possible mechanism, specifically because the mass media has been shown to be a powerful influence on adolescent behavior. As the number of media outlets increase, presumably this influence will grow stronger. To quantify the role of mass media with respect to this issue, a systematic literature review was conducted to assess media influence on eating behaviors and eating disorder pathology, as well as its influence on perceived "body satisfaction." Results show that, although the media cannot be blamed for all eating disorder causation, it does play a significant role in the propagation of an ideal body type for many adolescents. Images of ultra-thin models have been correlated to heightened body dissatisfaction and an increase in unsafe dieting behaviors. Conversely, the increased presence of commercials for junk food has been correlated to more snacking, subsequently causing weight gain, thus contributing to the rise of obesity in the United States. It can be concluded from this study that, whereas the media has been found to contribute to the rise in childhood obesity as well as eating disorders, it can also be a useful tool in spreading positive health information. More research is needed to identify the best approaches for the media to provide positive messages in this regard. Further recommended research includes the media influence on adolescent males, since they are a population seldom included in present studies and the literature.

A Model Linking Diverse Women’s Child Sexual Abuse History With Sexual Risk Taking

Article

Mar 2013

The purpose of our study was to examine the role that child sexual abuse may play in body surveillance and sexual risk behaviors among undergraduate women. First, a measured variable path analysis was conducted, which assessed the relations among a history of child sexual abuse, body surveillance, and sexual risk behaviors. Furthermore, body shame, sexual self-efficacy, and alexithymia were examined as intervening variables. Second, a multigroup path analysis was conducted comparing the hypothesized models applied to data from 556 ethnically diverse women. Within the overall model, results revealed that a history of child sexual abuse and body surveillance were not related to one another, but both variables were directly related to sexual risk behaviors. Moreover, body shame mediated the relationship between body surveillance and alexithymia, and alexithymia mediated the relationship between body shame and sexual self-efficacy. Child sexual abuse history was related directly with body shame and alexithymia. Results from the multigroup path analysis revealed that the model was invariant between African American and White women, although one difference emerged: body surveillance significantly predicted alexithymia in White, but not African American, women. Furthermore, White, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latina women demonstrated more body shame than African American women, and White women endorsed higher levels of sexual self-efficacy than African American and Asian/Pacific Islander women. Counseling interventions that seek to decrease alexithymic symptoms, body surveillance, and body shame, while also increasing sexual self-efficacy, seem especially warranted.

Implications of Adolescent Body Image upon Weight Loss Surgery Success

Article

Sep 2009

Kathryn M. McFadden

With ever-increasing media attention on weight, many adolescents judge their bodies to be inferior to the advertised images. Exposure to a daily diet of airbrushed, surgically altered, and augmented bodies provides an active template for adolescent body dissatisfaction. Adolescents are at an increased risk for downgrading the physical attractiveness and appropriateness of their bodies because they are actively comparing themselves to idealized adolescent portrayals. Body esteem issues are compounded by the identity crisis that confronts and challenges the adolescent. A hallmark of adolescence is resolving this identity crisis, a state that is exacerbated by a craving for a fictionalized body. The adolescent who is obese may have to contend with additional body esteem pressures and compounded identity issues because of their appearance. After years or a lifetime of struggling with obesity, concurrent with societal stigmatization and peer harassment, the risk of a disturbed body image multiplies. Bariatric surgery for weight loss seems to the obese adolescent to be their "dream come true,'' but what happens when results do not match "Hollywood standards?'' An important factor in determining the suitability of an obese adolescent for weight-loss surgery (WLS) entails having the adolescent envision how they believe their body will look as they lose weight and how they expect their body to appear at their goal weight. Identification of unrealistic expectations prior to WLS is an important determinant in deciding the adolescent's readiness. A structured, comprehensive nursing assessment of the adolescent's current and projected body image helps to identify ongoing issues and potential problems that may include eating disorders, dysmorphia, and other mental health issues.

“I Know What Love Means”: Qualitative Descriptions From Mexican American and White Adolescents

Article

Aug 2010
J Hum Behav Soc Environ

A qualitative approach was used to explore the meaning of being in love for Mexican American and White adolescents. Adolescents' written descriptions were coded using inductive content analysis. Five broader love themes encompassing five additional subthemes emerged: commitment (sacrifice and time); intimacy (friendship, trust, and caring); reciprocity; unconditional acceptance; and unsure/unknown. Mexican American adolescents mentioned intimacy components, White adolescent boys mentioned commitment components, and White adolescents and girls mentioned unconditional acceptance components in their self-definitions of love more than their counterparts. Understanding the meaning of love has implications for prevention efforts targeted at reducing the health risks associated with romantic relationships in adolescence.

The impact of familism on physical and mental health among Hispanics in the United States

Article

May 2011

The rapidly expanding number of Hispanics living in USA has increased the need for their inclusion in research on physical and mental health. Current studies that have explored health outcomes among Hispanics have often noted an ‘epidemiological paradox’, in which there is a discrepancy between their minority status and positive health outcomes when compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Certain socio-cultural variables, in particular the value placed on family, have been largely implicated in these findings. This review will provide a summary of the literature exploring familism within the structure of the Hispanic family and its potential impact on health. We will focus on research exploring the plausible impact that family and familism values may have on the physical health (particularly within the HIV, diabetes, and breast cancer literature) and also on health behaviours of Hispanics, as well as its effect on mental health (particularly related to acculturative stress and caregiver stress). Throughout the review, we highlight some of the potential mechanisms by which familism may impact on the health status of Hispanics. We conclude the review by noting some of the clinical and ethical implications of this research, and by offering suggestions for future work in this area.

Body weight satisfaction among New Zealand adolescents: Findings from a national survey

Article

Jun 2012

Body dissatisfaction has been extensively studied but, recently, the importance of body satisfaction and its attributing factors has received significant recognition. Also, there is an increasing awareness of the need for research examining body dissatisfaction and satisfaction in youth other than North American females. Thus, the current research examined the prevalence of, and the individual, social, and familial factors associated with, body-weight satisfaction among New Zealand male and female adolescents (n=9107). Data were analysed from Youth '07, a nationally representative survey of New Zealand secondary school students. Overall, half of students were happy with their weight, with significantly more males than females reporting body-weight satisfaction. Students happiest with their weight were most likely to report healthy and supportive social and family environments, as well as higher levels of well-being. These findings are consistent with a growing body of research that suggests creating positive peer and family environments may lead to better developmental outcomes, such as body satisfaction, and also higher levels of well-being.

Attitudinal familism predicts weight management adherence in Mexican–American women

Article

Apr 2012
J BEHAV MED

Adherence to behavioral weight management programs is often limited, especially among ethnic minority populations. The current study examined whether attitudinal familism, or attention to the needs of family above those of the self, predicted poorer adherence to a behavioral weight management program in Mexican-American women. One-hundred overweight or obese Mexican-American women from the southwestern United States were enrolled in a group-based weight loss treatment. Zero-order correlations indicated that general commitment to attitudinal familism, as measured by the Attitudinal Familism Scale, was significantly negatively associated with calorie and physical activity goal completion and marginally negatively associated with session attendance. The results of the current study indicate that researchers may consider addressing familism when developing tailored weight management interventions for Mexican-American women.

That Community Becomes You? An Examination of Community Differences in Self-Objectification and Related Variables

Article

Jul 2011

The authors surveyed women from 2 communities: Anchorage, Alaska (N =51), an urban area, and Haines, Alaska (N=41), an isolated rural community. Participants from Haines scored lower on measures of self-objectification, internalization of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, participation in beauty enhancement behaviors, and perceived normative beauty enhancement behaviors. Women from Haines also engaged in more empowering exercise (i.e., yoga and outdoor exercise). Internalization of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance mediated the relation between perceived normative beauty enhancement behaviors and self-objectification for women living in both communities. The current study suggests that communities may present opportunities to engage in activities that influence one's predisposition to self-objectify. The nonexperimental nature of this study, however, prevents the definitive establishment of the direction of causality between variables.

Meeting the Health Promotion Needs of Hispanic Communities

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1995
AM J HEALTH PROMOT

Jane Delgado

This paper conducts a review of the demographic and health status data for Hispanic communities and relates them to the role of culture in health care. The author's recommend that promotion programs for Hispanic communities should focus on specific community data (morbidity rather than mortality), understand the impact of culture and language (cultural competency training and staffing), develop strong outreach components (establish community advisory boards, identify credible community spokespersons and incorporate community residents as health educators), and work in partnership (sharing funds and resources) with community-based organizations.

Risk eating behaviors and Body Mass Index distribution in students between 13 and 18 years

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2002

Objective: To learn about the relationship between percentilar Body Mass Index and risk eating behaviors in Mexican adolescents. Method: A sample of 7 597 adolescents between 13 and 18 years was obtained from the Drug and Alcohol Prevalence in the Student Population Survey of Mexico City in 1997. A self report questionnaire of 11 items was used to assess their eating behavior during the three previous months before applying the survey. Comparisons by sex and age were carried out. Results: The data showed a trend to present higher percentages of risk eating behaviors as Body Mass Index and age increases. Although this same trend was observed in both sexes, women show higher means of clinical symptoms compared to men. In agreement to the results obtained, it may be concluded that 1.5% of the men between 13 and 15 years, and 2.2% of the men between 16 and 18 years meet the risk criteria for developing an eating disorder, while these percentages increase up to 5.4% in women between 13 and 18 years and up to 16.1% in women between 16 and 18 years. It was observed that adolescents with overweight are those who meet higher percentages of risk eating behaviors. This fact indicates that overweight must be considered as an important predisponent characteristic for the development of eating disorders. The small percentage of adolescents with low and very low weight that presents risk eating behaviors, also deserve our attention, as their eating behavior might be motivated by body image distortion (they perceive themselves fatter than they really are). Conclusions: This data show that 1) There is a relationship between Body Mass Index and risk eating behaviors, and that 2) Overweight and low weight should both be considered as risk factors for the development of eating disorders.

Evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-40) en mujeres mexicanas

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2002
REV MEX PSICOL

Adaptación de un instrumento de evaluación de la insatisfacción corporal

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1996

The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1986
J PERS SOC PSYCHOL

In this article, we attempt to distinguish between the properties of moderator and mediator variables at a number of levels. First, we seek to make theorists and researchers aware of the importance of not using the terms moderator and mediator interchangeably by carefully elaborating, both conceptually and strategically, the many ways in which moderators and mediators differ. We then go beyond this largely pedagogical function and delineate the conceptual and strategic implications of making use of such distinctions with regard to a wide range of phenomena, including control and stress, attitudes, and personality traits. We also provide a specific compendium of analytic procedures appropriate for making the most effective use of the moderator and mediator distinction, both separately and in terms of a broader causal system that includes both moderators and mediators. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

The Eating Disorder Inventory: A measure of cognitive-behavioral dimensions of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Chapter

Full-text available

Jan 1983

The development and validation of a new measure, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) is described. The EDI is a 64 item, self-report, multiscale measure designed for the assessment of psychological and behavioral traits common in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia. The EDI consists of eight sub-scales measuring: 1) Drive for Thinness, 2) Bulimia, 3) Body Dissatisfaction, 4) Ineffectiveness, 5) Perfectionism, 6) Interpersonal Distrust, 7) Interoceptive Awareness and 8) Maturity Fears. Reliability (internal consistency) is established for all subscales and several indices of validity are presented. First, AN patients (N = 113) are differentiated from female comparison (FC) subjects (N = 577) using a cross-validation procedure. Secondly, patient self-report subscale scores agree with clinician ratings of subscale traits. Thirdly, clinically recovered AN patients score similarly to FCs on all subscales. Finally, convergent and discriminate validity are established for subscales. The EDI was also administered to groups of normal weight bulimic women, obese, and normal weight but formerly obese women, as well as a male comparison group. Group differences are reported and the potential utility of the EDI is discussed.

Screening for eating disorders: False negatives and eating disorders not otherwise specified

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2006
EUR J PSYCHIAT

Objective: To study the problem of false negatives in the screening for eating disorders. Subjects and Methods: We administered the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT40) and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) to 186 Italian female students (age 17.68 ± 0.9; BMI 20.84 ± 2.69). Then we submitted not only high-scorers but also all the subjects to a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Eating Disorder Examination - EDE 12.0D). The diagnosis of eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) was applied to cases which met all the DSM-IV criteria for AN and/or BN with one exception. Results: 17 girls (9.1%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for eating disorders: 1 bulimia nervosa full-syndrome and 16 EDNOS. Of the 17 girls 11 were EAT low-scorers (< 30) and 8 were EDI low-scorers (< 50); 5 subjects scored below the cutoff on both instruments. We calculated sensitivity (35.3%), specificity (88.8%), positive predictive value (PPV, 24.0%) and negative predictive value (NPV, 93.2%) of the EAT40; the respective values for the EDI were 52.9% (sensitivity), 85.2% (specificity), 26.4% (PPV) and 94.7% (NPV). Discussion and conclusion: Our data show that the introduction of the EDNOS diagnoses increases the PPV of the two questionnaires but lowers their sensitivity. We conclude that using a two stage screening approach leads to a very high rate of false negatives with a significant underestimation of the prevalence of eating disorders, particularly of EDNOS.

Culture and Clinical Practice: Recommendations for Working With Puerto Ricans and Other Latinas(os) in the United States

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2006

Much has been written concerning ethno-cultural constructs and their application to the behavioral health treatment of Latinas(os). Perhaps because of the inherent complexity of attempting to describe ethno-cultural beliefs and treatment implications while avoiding stereotyping and overgeneralizing, writings in this area often begin with brief descriptions of select cultural values. Often what follow are treatment implications and recommendations, embedded in a broader theoretical discussion. This article builds upon this work by placing cultural concepts in ecological perspective and offering practice recommendations that follow from specific cultural beliefs. Although not exhaustive, these recommendations are intended to offer concrete approaches to care that are consistent with a contextual understanding of individuals of Hispanic heritage, particularly of individuals of Puerto Rican ethnicity living in an urban setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

A Power Primer

Article

Full-text available

Jul 1992

Jacob Cohen

One possible reason for the continued neglect of statistical power analysis in research in the behavioral sciences is the inaccessibility of or difficulty with the standard material. A convenient, although not comprehensive, presentation of required sample sizes is provided. Effect-size indexes and conventional values for these are given for operationally defined small, medium, and large effects. The sample sizes necessary for .80 power to detect effects at these levels are tabled for 8 standard statistical tests: (1) the difference between independent means, (2) the significance of a product-moment correlation, (3) the difference between independent rs, (4) the sign test, (5) the difference between independent proportions, (6) chi-square tests for goodness of fit and contingency tables, (7) 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and (8) the significance of a multiple or multiple partial correlation.

The Eating Attitudes Test: An Index of the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Article

Full-text available

Jun 1979

Synopsis Data on the development of a 40-item measure of the symptoms in anorexia nervosa are reported. The scale (EAT) is presented in a 6-point, forced choice, self-report format which is easily administered and scored. The EAT was validated using 2 groups of female anorexia nervosa patients ( N = 32 and 33) and female control subjects ( N = 34 and 59). Total EAT score was significantly correlated with criterion group membership( r = 0·87, P < 0·001), suggesting a high level of concurrent validity. There was very little overlap in the frequency distributions of the 2 groups and only 7% of the normal controls scored as high as the lowest anorexic patient. Female obese and male subjects also scored significantly lower on the EAT than anorexics. Recovered anorexic patients scored in the normal range on the test, suggesting that the EAT is sensitive to clinical remission.

Eating Attitudes Test and Eating Disorders Inventory: Norms for Adolescent Girls and Boys

Article

Full-text available

Apr 1988

Increasing attention has been given to measuring symptoms of eating disorders in adolescents, but representative norms for the two widely used measures, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), have not been available. The present study collected normative data on 1,373 high school boys and girls in Grades 9–12. Significant sex, but not age, differences were obtained. Scores by boys did not differ by race or socioeconomic status, (SES), whereas a few slight race and SES differences occurred among girls. Percentile ranks for raw scores are presented.

The Moderator-Mediator Variable Distinction in Social Psychological Research

Article

Full-text available

Dec 1986

Women and weight: A normative discontent

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1984
NEBR SYM MOTIV

Minorities join the majority: Eating disturbances among Hispanic and native American youth

Article

Mar 1991
INT J EAT DISORDER

Researchers have begun to realize that disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes are not restricted to white, middle class, college‐aged females. Yet investigations typically have not focused upon high school minority populations, particularly Hispanics or native Americans. This study administered the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Bulimia Test to 545 high school Hispanic, native American, and white (nonHispanic) youths. The native Americans consistently scored the highest on each of seven items representing disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes. Significant ethnic group differences were detected for binge eating when broadly defined, and for self‐induced vomiting as a weight‐control technique. Significant sex differences were found on four of the seven measures. Noteworthy was the dramatic difference in binge eating prevalence estimates as a consequence of the operational definition adopted. Adherence to the stricter criteria resulted in percentages for the native Americans (14.2%), Hispanics (13.1%) and nonHispanic whites (10.1%) which were much lower than those reported when the more general definition was applied. Results were discussed in terms of the need to address this rapidly growing problem among minority adolescents.

Continuity and change in the evaluation of ideal and acceptable body sizes across a wide age span

Article

Jul 2000
INT J EAT DISORDER

Objective Continuity and change in the evaluation of ideal and acceptable body sizes across a wide subject age span were examined. Method Ratings of ideal and socially acceptable body sizes were elicited from 303 children, 427 adolescents, 261 young adults, and 326 middle‐age adults. Line drawing arrays of babies, children, young adults, middle‐age, and older adults were portrayed, ranging in size from very thin to very obese. Results All subject groups selected, in all arrays, similar ideal body sizes, rated sizes in the midrange of fatness as socially acceptable, and were least accepting of very thin and obese body sizes. Tolerance for body size variations increased with subject age. Discussion Continuity throughout a wide subject age span was observed in evaluations of body sizes. However, adults were more accepting of body size variations than younger subjects, especially children. Implications of endorsing midrange body sizes for the fashion industry are discussed. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 28: 90–100, 2000.

Children's figure ratings: Relationship to self‐esteem and negative stereotyping

Article

Jan 1998
INT J EAT DISORDER

Objective Numerous studies have used figure ratings to demonstrate substantially greater body dissatisfaction among women than men. The present study aimed to investigate gender differences in body dissatisfaction in younger children. Method: A children's version of the Figure Rating Scale was administered to 140 children between the ages of 7 and 12 years. Children also completed measures of self‐esteem and negative stereotyping of fat people. Results: Irrespective of age, girls rated their ideal figure as smaller than the one they considered most attractive to boys, and as substantially smaller than their current figure. For boys, there was no difference in ratings. Level of body dissatisfaction correlated negatively with self‐esteem and positively with negative stereotyping for boys, but not for girls. Discussion: The results are consistent with body dissatisfaction being “a normative discontent” for young girls as well as for adult women. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 23: 83–88, 1998.

Acculturation and disordered eating patterns among Mexican American women

Article

Jul 2000
INT J EAT DISORDER

Objective This quantitative study examined the relationship between acculturation and disordered eating patterns among different generations of Mexican American women. Method Participants included 139 Mexican American women (mean age = 29.1) drawn from local undergraduate courses and community agencies. The posttest‐only design included a demographic measure, Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA), and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT‐26). Results Of the five generations studied, second‐generation women endorsed the most disordered eating patterns and the highest degrees of concurrent acculturation. Moreover, there was a significant, positive correlation between acculturation and Factor III of the EAT which highlights control of eating and perceived pressure from others to gain weight. Participants scoring beyond the EAT cut‐off score endorsed bulimic symptoms. Discussion Differing intergenerational ideals regarding weight may create special strains for second‐generation Mexican American women. Criteria for disordered eating in a population previously not considered at risk should be further assessed and clinicians should be careful not to underdiagnose among this group. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 28: 125–129, 2000.

Children's figure ratings: Relationship to self-esteem and negative stereotyping

Article

Jan 1998
INT J EAT DISORDER

Numerous studies have used figure ratings to demonstrate substantially greater body dissatisfaction among women than men. The present study aimed to investigate gender differences in body dissatisfaction in younger children. Method: A children's version of the Figure Rating Scale was administered to 140 children between the ages of 7 and 12 years. Children also completed measures of self-esteem and negative stereotyping of fat people. Results: Irrespective of age, girls rated their ideal figure as smaller than the one they considered most attractive to boys, and as substantially smaller than their current figure. For boys, there was no difference in ratings. Level of body dissatisfaction correlated negatively with self-esteem and positively with negative stereotyping for boys, but not for girls. Discussion: The results are consistent with body dissatisfaction being “a normative discontent” for young girls as well as for adult women. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 23: 83–88, 1998.

The development and validation of the body shape questionnaire

Article

Jul 1987
INT J EAT DISORDER

Concerns about body shape are common among young women in Western cultures, and, in an extreme form, they constitute a central feature of the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. To date there has been no satisfactory measure of such concerns. A self-report instrument, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) has therefore been developed. The items that constitute this measure were derived by conducting semistructured interviews with various groups of women including patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The BSQ has been administered to three samples of young women in the community as well as to a group of patients with bulimia nervosa. The concurrent and discriminant validity of the measure have been shown to be good. The BSQ provides a means of investigating the role of concerns about body shape in the development, maintenance, and treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Development and validation of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire

Article

Jan 1995
INT J EAT DISORDER

The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) was developed to assess women's recognition and acceptance of societally sanctioned standards of appearance. In Study 1, factor analyses revealed two clearcut factors: awareness/acknowledgment of a societal emphasis on appearance and an internalization/acceptance of these standards. These findings were cross-validated in Study 2, resulting in a six-item Awareness subscale (alpha = .71) and an eight-item Internalization subscale (alpha = .88). Study 3 obtained good convergence between both scales and multiple indices of body image and eating disturbance. Regression analyses indicated that both factors accounted for unique variance associated with body image and eating dysfunction, however, internalization of standards was a stronger predictor of disturbance. The SATAQ should prove useful for researchers and clinicians interested in body image and eating disorders. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The Eating Attitudes Test: Validation of the Spanish version

Article

Jan 1991

Continuity and change in the evaluation of ideal and acceptable body sizes across a wide age span

Article

Jul 2000

Continuity and change in the evaluation of ideal and acceptable body sizes across a wide subject age span were examined. Method: Ratings of ideal and socially acceptable body sizes were elicited from 303 children, 427 adolescents, 267 young adults, and 326 middle-age adults. Line drawing arrays of babies, children, young adults, middle-age, and older adults were portrayed, ranging in size from very thin to very obese. Results: All subject groups selected, in all arrays, similar ideal body sires, rated sizes in the midrange of fatness as socially acceptable, and were least accepting of very thin and obese body sizes. Tolerance for body size variations increased with subject age. Discussion: Continuity Throughout a wide subject age span was observed in evaluations of body sizes. However, adults were more accepting of body size variations than younger subjects, especially children. implications of endorsing midrange body sizes for the fashion industry are discussed. (C) by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Mexican Immigration to the United States: Continuities and Changes

Article

Feb 2001

This research note examines continuities and changes in the profile of Mexican migration to the United States using data from Mexico's Encuesta Nacional de la Dinamica Demografica, the U.S. Census, and the Mexican Migration Project. Our analysis generally yields a picture of stability over time. Mexico- U.S. migration continues to be dominated by the states of Western Mexico, particularly Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacan, and it remains a movement principally of males of labor-force age. As Mexico has urbanized, however, out-migration has come to embrace urban as well as rural workers; and as migrant networks have expanded, the flow has become less selective with respect to education. Perhaps the most important change detected was an acceleration in the rate of return migration during the early 1990s, reflecting the massive legalization of the late 1980s.

The Development and Validation of the Body Shape Questionnaire

Article

Jan 1987

A review of eating disorders research in Mexico

Article

Feb 2007

The objective of this paper is to summarize research findings on eating disorders and the current state of the field in Mexico. Papers published in indexed journals and graduate dissertations were retrieved, using "eating disorders," "anorexia nervosa," "bulimia nervosa," "body image," "binge eating," "restrained eating," "weight and shape concern," and "dieting" as keywords. These were combined with the Boolean operator "AND" with "Mexico" and "Latin America." Findings are presented for epidemiology, the validity of assessment instruments, comorbidity, and risk factors. A national representative survey found a prevalence of 1.8% for bulimia nervosa, and no cases of anorexia nervosa. However, the lack of studies with confirmatory clinical interview and other national or regional representative samples makes it difficult to reach conclusions about the actual prevalence. A number of instruments for the detection of eating disorders and disordered eating have been validated for the Mexican population. The comorbidity of eating disorders in Mexico includes drug and alcohol abuse, obesity, and borderline personality disorder. Risk factors found included body weight and cultural pressure to be thin. Future lines of research should include epidemiological studies with representative samples and diagnosis confirmation, longitudinal studies, and the exploration of protective and risk factors specific to this population.

Acculturation, Body Image, Self-Esteem, And Eating-Disorder Symptomatology In Adolescent Mexican American Women

Article

Sep 1996

In this article the relationship among acculturation, body image, self-esteem, and eating disorder symptomatology in 120 Mexican American adolescent women was investigated. Surprisingly, acculturation levels were not related to anorexic or bulimic symptomatology, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction or thinness of ideal and attractive figures. Lower levels of self-esteem predicted higher levels of anorexic and bulimic symptomatology. Body mass was positively related to bulimic scores. In contrast to Lester and Petrie (1995), body dissatisfaction was significantly related to eating-disorder symptomatology. The high levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors found in this study suggest that rather than exclusively being an Anglo, middle-to upper-class phenomenon, eating-disordered behavior also exists within lower socioeconomic status Mexican American adolescent women.

Cultural Values and Substance Use in a Multiethnic Sample of California Adolescents

Article

Jun 2002

As the U.S. becomes increasingly multicultural, traditional values from various cultures will influence health-related attitudes and behaviors for a greater number of adolescents in the U.S. Unfortunately, few scales exist to measure cultural influences on adolescent health behaviors. This study developed a Multiethnic Cultural Values Scale to assess some cultural attitudes and beliefs relevant to adolescent health behaviors. In a multiethnic sample of 211 California adolescents, the associations between cultural values and substance use were examined. Filial piety and familism were associated with a lower risk of substance use. Machismo was associated with a higher risk of substance use among boys and a lower risk among girls. Collectivism and fatalism were not significantly associated with substance use. Cultural values may influence adolescents' decisions about substance use. Prevention programs in multicultural settings may be more effective if they address these cultural values.

A New Familism Scale for Use With Latino Populations

Article

Aug 2003

The goal of this study was to develop an attitudinal familism scale that can be used with relatively less acculturated Latinos and that assesses all relevant aspects of the construct. An 18-item scale composed of original items and adapted items from previous scales was tested on a sample of 124 Latino adults. An exploratory factor analysis revealed the following four factors, accounting for 51.23% of the total variance: Familial Support, Familial Interconnectedness, Familial Honor, and Subjugation of Self for Family. Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was found to be .83. Validity analyses revealed significant negative correlations between some aspects of familism and acculturation scores and indicators of exposure to the U.S. culture, confirming previous findings on the subject.

Acculturation and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

Article

Jan 1999

We examine the relation between acculturation and eating disorder symptoms in a normative sample of 920 adolescent girls of high school age. Results indicate that acculturation is positively associated with structured-interview defined partial syndrome eating disorders in Hispanic girls (13.6% vs. 0% prevalence rate in more acculturated vs. less acculturated Hispanic girls), but not Asian or European American girls. There was no relation between acculturation and either weight concerns or body dissatisfaction across the 3 ethnicities. This study demonstrates that level of acculturation, as measured by language spoken at home and time lived in the United States, may influence rates of eating disorders in Hispanic adolescents but not in Asian adolescents.

Sociocultural Idealization of Thin Female Body Shapes: An Introduction to the Special Issue on Body Image and Eating Disorders

Article

Feb 2004
J SOC CLIN PSYCHOL

Sociocultural pressure on women to be thin has been blamed for the development of eating disorders. Despite decades of research, however, it is still not clear why a few women exposed to these pressures develop eating disorders, but most women in the society do not. The media are often blamed for spreading the message that women must be thin, and for making women feel badly about themselves. This view seems overly simplistic, however, ignoring the fact that women voluntarily expose themselves to thin media images, that such exposure can actually be pleasurable, and that most women exposed to this message do not develop eating disorders. The sociocultural model of eating disorders needs further study and refinement, and the studies in this special issue represent steps in that process.

Back-Translation for Cross-Cultural Research

Article

Sep 1970

Richard W. Brislin

Two aspects of translation were investigated: (1) factors that affect translation quality, and (2) how equivalence between source and target versions can be evaluated. The variables of language, content, and difficulty were studied through an analysis of variance design. Ninety-four bilinguals from the University of Guam, representing ten languages, translated or back-translated six essays incorporating three content areas and two levels of difficulty. The five criteria for equivalence were based on comparisons of meaning or predictions of similar responses to original or translated versions. The factors of content, difficulty, language and content-language interaction were significant, and the five equivalence criteria proved workable. Conclusions are that translation quality can be predicted, and that a functionally equivalent translation can be demonstrated when responses to the original and target versions are studied.

The Eating Attitudes Test: Validation of the Spanish version.

Article

Jan 1991

Tested the validity of a Spanish version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) among 78 female patients (mean age 16.8 yrs) with anorexia nervosa and a comparison group of 78 normal Ss paired according to age and social class. The difference between the mean scores of these groups was highly significant. The global validity coefficient was .61. The study of discriminant validity indicated the need to establish a cutoff point of 20, which permits a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 69.2%. The alpha reliability coefficient was 0.93. The factor analysis allowed the extraction of 3 factors that explain 41% of the variance. A significant correlation with the Beck Depression Inventory was established. At the reevaluation of 27 patients after their clinical remission, the scores on the EAT were within the normal range. (Spanish abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Exacting Beauty: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment of Body Image Disturbance

Article

Jan 1999

Body image issues are at the core of major eating disorders. They are also important phenomena in and of themselves. Kevin Thompson and his colleagues provide an overview of a wide variety of body image issues, ranging from reconstructive surgery to eating disorders. The book will be a valuable resource for even the most established researchers in the field, as it is filled with data, information about assessment tools, and a thorough treatment of virtually all major theoretical perspectives on the development of body image and their implications for treatment and prevention. At the same time, the authors' decision to include numerous experiential anecdotes makes the book easily accessible to those just entering the field who are trying to understand the nature of these phenomena. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Eating disorders: Innovative directions in research and practice.

Article

Jan 2001

Maintains that a systematic exploration of the predominant theoretical paradigms and research approaches is needed with an emphasis on the question of how the field of eating disorders may be advanced incrementally and exponentially. It is suggested that cautious editorial or grant review practices tend to make it difficult for researchers to develop novel theoretical concepts or intervention approaches. This book addresses this problem by presenting chapters that focus on classification and etiology, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders. Contributors focused their chapters on the following questions: How can progress be made in this field? What new paths need to be explored, what methods appear most promising, and what questions have yet to be raised? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychometric qualities of the Figure Rating Test

Article

Sep 1991
INT J EAT DISORDER

The Figure Rating Scale is a widely used measure of body image disturbance that consists of a series of nine schematic figures of varying size. In previous research, investigators have measured many different aspects of figure selection, including ideal body size, current body size, and the figure subjects believe is most attractive to the opposite sex. Important findings have eventuated from research using this index of body image. However, minimal attention has focused on an examination of the psychometric properties of the Figure Rating Scale. In the current study, reliability and validity studies were completed on separate samples of male and female college students. The findings indicate good test—retest reliability and moderate correlations with other measures of body image dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and overall self-esteem. It is concluded that the Figure Rating Scale is an appropriate tool for the investigation of body image disturbance.

The development and validation of the Body Shape Questionnaire

Article

Jul 1987
INT J EAT DISORDER

Minorities join the majority: Eating disturbances among Hispanic and Native American youth

Article

Mar 1991
INT J EAT DISORDER

Researchers have begun to realize that disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes are not restricted to white, middle class, college-aged females. Yet investigations typically have not focused upon high school minority populations, particularly Hispanics or native Americans. This study administered the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Bulimia Test to 545 high school Hispanic, native American, and white (nonHispanic) youths. The native Americans consistently scored the highest on each of seven items representing disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes. Significant ethnic group differences were detected for binge eating when broadly defined, and for self-induced vomiting as a weight-control technique. Significant sex differences were found on four of the seven measures. Noteworthy was the dramatic difference in binge eating prevalence estimates as a consequence of the operational definition adopted. Adherence to the stricter criteria resulted in percentages for the native Americans (14.2%), Hispanics (13.1%) and nonHispanic whites (10.1%) which were much lower than those reported when the more general definition was applied. Results were discussed in terms of the need to address this rapidly growing problem among minority adolescents.

Body shape concerns among adolescents

Article

Jan 1992
INT J EAT DISORDER

The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) is a 34-item self-report questionnaire that measures the degree of body shape dissatisfaction. To date, the BSQ has not been used with adolescents. The present study compared the BSQ scores of five adolescent subject samples: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Subclinical Bulimia Nervosa (SB), Subdinical Anorexia Nervosa (SA), and non-eating-disordered adolescent females (Q. Results show that patients with BN have the highest levels of body dissatisfaction. All clinical groups had higher BSQ scores than subjects in the comparison sample but only the BN patients had significantly higher scores. The mean BSQ score for the Comparison group was higher than published means for non-eating-disordered adult samples. The two major findings of the study are that significant body shape concerns are particular features of patients with bulimia nervosa but that some body shape concerns are common among non-eating-disordered adolescent females.

Thin-Ideal Internalization: Mounting Evidence for a New Risk Factor for Body-Image Disturbance and Eating Pathology

Article

Oct 2001

Body-image disturbance and eating disorders are a significant physical and mental health problem in Western countries. We describe emerging work on one newly identified variable that appears to be a potent risk factor for the development of these problems internalization of societal standards of attractiveness. Work conducted independently in our labs over the past decade has included scale development, correlational studies, prospective risk-factor studies, randomized experiments, and randomized prevention trials. Findings collectively suggest that internalization is a causal risk factor for body-image and eating disturbances, and that it appears to operate in conjunction with other established risk factors for these outcomes, including dieting and negative affect. Future research is needed to examine the specific familial, peer, and media influences that promote internalization and to replicate and extend our prospective and experimental studies.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV)

Chapter

Jan 2000

A cross‐cultural study on eating attitudes and behaviours in two Spanish‐speaking countries: Spain and Mexico

Article

Feb 2001
EUR EAT DISORD REV

Cross-cultural studies can provide important data on the influence of cultural factors in the growth and control of eating disorders and their symptoms. If, moreover, those studies deal with the same language but different contexts, the comparison may be richer and the knowledge derived more significant. The main aim of the present study is to identify the prevalence of eating disorder and body dissatisfaction symptoms, as well as the factors which may influence them, in two samples of first-year female university students from the UAB (Spain) and the UNAM (Mexico). The results of this study show more eating disorder symptoms and body dissatisfaction in Spain than in Mexico and also that the level of perfectionism is much higher among the Mexican students. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Gil AG, Wagner EF, Vega WA: Acculturation, familism, and alcohol use among Latino adolescent males: Longitudinal relations. J Community Psychol 2000;28:443-58

Article

Jul 2000
J COMMUNITY PSYCHOL

This article advances our understanding of factors associated with patterns and consequences of early alcohol involvement among Latino teens, with an emphasis on how nativity may influence longitudinal relations among variables including acculturation, familism, and alcohol involvement. Following a comparative presentation of alcohol use prevalence rates, the current study offers a culturally founded theoretical model of early adolescent drinking. Specifically, this article extends existing models such as gateway theory and esteem enhancement theory and explores the effects of acculturation and acculturative stress on the intensity of alcohol use among immigrant (n= 1,051) and U.S.-born (n= 968) Latino males attending middle school in South Florida. Results from structural equation modeling suggest acculturation and acculturative stress influence alcohol use primarily through the deterioration of Latino family values, attitudes, and familistic behaviors. However, the relationship between acculturative stress and alcohol use differs in important ways depending on the adolescent's birthplace. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of our findings for education, prevention, treatment, and research with Latino adolescents. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Eating attitudes in urban and suburban adolescents

Article

Jul 1994
INT J EAT DISORDER

We administered the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory to two populations of high school students. The first group, 268 suburban females (mean age 16.2 years), completed their questionnaires in May 1988. The second population, 389 females and 281 males (mean age 16.0 years) in a city school with 92% black or Hispanic students, completed their questionnaires in February 1990 and were also measured for height and weight as part of a health screening. Scores of 21 or higher on the EAT-26 were achieved by 17.5% of the suburban females, 15.0% of the urban females, and 6.0% of the urban males. Significantly more suburban females (63%) considered themselves overweight, compared with both urban females (35%) and males (19%), yet only 14% of suburban females were calculated to be >10% over ideal body weight, compared with 45% of urban females and 39% of urban males. Contrary to expectations, self-esteem was higher and anxiety lower in the urban students than the suburban students; self-esteem and anxiety were each significantly correlated with higher EAT scores in both populations, but believing oneself overweight was correlated with higher EAT scores in only the suburban students. These data indicate that abnormal eating attitudes are present among both urban and suburban students but with important differences in their manifestations and implications. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Presence of disordered eating among Mexican teenage women from a semi-urban area: Its relation to the cultural hypothesis

Article

May 2004
EUR EAT DISORD REV

The idea of culture as a risk factor for eating disorders has been supported by the higher frequencies of such disorders in the industrialized countries. In a non-urban area of the state of Michoacan, Mexico, we found elevated frequencies of dangerous eating behaviours among teenage girls. We used a checklist, previously employed in a survey of Mexico City teenagers, with a sample of 458 girls (mean age = 16.5 yr). We found that 27.9 per cent of them were seriously concerned about weighing too much, 14.3 per cent practised dieting or fasting in order to lose weight and 2.4 per cent binged and vomited. These percentages are higher than those of a sample of Mexico City girls. Nevertheless, we suggest that culture should still be considered a risk factor, and propose that a more precise definition of the term is needed in order to understand its effects upon the presence of disordered eating. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

The Superwoman ideal and other risk factors for eating disturbances in adolescent girls

Article

Jan 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between disordered eating, the Superwoman ideal, competitiveness, and achievement motivation. The EAT-26, Personality Research Form (Achievement scale), and Self-Roles Inventory were administered to 69 10–12th-grade girls (69.6% White, 11.6% Hispanic, 5.8% Black, 5.8% Asian, 7.2% no information on ethnicity). EAT-26 scores were not significantly associated with attending an academically competitive high school, having a high achievement motivation, or considering a number of roles as important to one's sense of self (adherence to the Superwoman ideal). EAT-26 scores were significantly higher among the girls attending the average high school. It is important to conduct further investigations of the Superwoman ideal since it has been posited as a risk factor for eating disorders, but has been the focus of only a few empirical studies.

The Roles of Ethnicity and Culture in the Development of Eating Disturbance and Body Dissatisfaction: A Meta-Analytic Review

Article

Jul 2001
CLIN PSYCHOL REV

This meta-analysis involved 35 studies examining eating disturbance and body dissatisfaction in white and non-white populations and the role of acculturation in the development of eating-related psychopathology. While the role of acculturation in predisposing non-whites to eating disorders remains to be determined, mean effect sizes indicate that whites report more eating disturbance than non-whites. Differences are greatest when studies compare black and white college samples on measures of subclinical eating pathology, like dietary restraint, ideal body shape, and body dissatisfaction. They are weakest when non-clinic populations and clinical forms of eating disturbance, like bulimia nervosa, are examined. These findings suggest that the current literature may be incorrect in its view that subclinical and clinical forms of eating disturbance represent the poles of a single continuum. In addition, they call into question the belief that SES influences the development of eating pathology.

Que Gordita! A Study of Weight Among Women in a Puerto Rican Community

Article

Jan 1989

Emily Bradley. Massara

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Bryn Mawr College, 1979. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 310-319). Microfiche. s

Body shape and eating disorders in a sample of students in the Basque country: A pilot study

Article

Jan 2002

Objetivo. Estudiar el grado de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal (IC) y los síntomas de trastomos alimentaríos (TA) en estudiantes del país vasco. Método. Una muestra intencional formada por 969 estudiantes de 11-18 años, 508 chicas y 461 chicos, cumplimentaron el Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper, Taylor, Cooper y Fairbum, 1987), el Eáting Attitudes Test (Garner y Garfinket, 1979) y la escala de insatisfacción corporal del Eáting Disorders Inventor (Garner, OImstead y Polivy 1983). Resultados. La prevalencia de síntomas de trastomos alimentanos hallada es del 7,1 % de las chicas y el 2,4% de los chicos. La preocupación por la imagen corporal aparece en el 32,5% de las chicas, aumentando con la edad, y el 8,9% de los chicos. En ambos sexos la relación entre la preocupación por la IC y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) es positiva. Discusión. Estos resultados confirman estudios anteriores y reafirman la necesidad de evaluar sistemáticamente estos aspectos en la población preadolescente y adolescente, cara a realizar campañas de prevención.

A Power primer

Article

Aug 1992

J.A. Cohen

One possible reason for the continued neglect of statistical power analysis in research in the behavioral sciences is the inaccessibility of or difficulty with the standard material. A convenient, although not comprehensive, presentation of required sample sizes is provided here. Effect-size indexes and conventional values for these are given for operationally defined small, medium, and large effects. The sample sizes necessary for .80 power to detect effects at these levels are tabled for eight standard statistical tests: (a) the difference between independent means, (b) the significance of a product-moment correlation, (c) the difference between independent rs, (d) the sign test, (e) the difference between independent proportions, (f) chi-square tests for goodness of fit and contingency tables, (g) one-way analysis of variance, and (h) the significance of a multiple or multiple partial correlation.

Acculturation and Eating Attitudes in Adolescent Girls: A Comparative and Correlational Study

Article

Apr 1986
J Am Acad Child Psychiatr

Andres Pumariega

The relationship of culture and socioeconomic status (SES) to eating attitudes in a nonclinical group of 138 Hispanic females, ages 16-18 is investigated. The instruments used included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), a 40-item self-rated scale that assesses abnormal eating attitudes, a rationally derived 15-item scale measuring degree of acculturation to American culture, and the Hollingshead-Redlich two-point measure of SES. The Hispanic subjects' EAT results were compared to those from a large group of predominantly white, Southern adolescent girls. Although the Hispanic group was similar on their EAT scores to the Southern group, there was a significant correlation between acculturation and higher EAT scores. There was a positive but nonsignificant correlation between SES, both current and projected, and higher EAT scores. The results support the relationship suggested by various investigators between cultural factors and a higher incidence of eating disorders. They fail to support the hypothesized relationship between higher SES and vulnerability to these disorders.

Thin ideal internalization in Mexican girls: A test of the sociocultural model of eating disorders

Abstract

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