Body dissatisfaction and eating-related problems on the college campus: Usefulness of the Eating Disorder Inventory with a nonclinical population.

Abstract

The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was administered to 3 female undergraduate samples representing 2 campuses (N = 1,506). Subjects also provided information on family demographics and on eating, dieting, and exercise habits and attitudes. Very high rates of body dissatisfaction were reported. EDI factor analysis yielded a 6-factor structure accounting for 41 % of the variance. The Eating Disorders factor was a combination of 3 EDI clinical scales (Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and lack of Interoceptive Awareness); 5 factors were identical to the other 5 EDI scales. Two risk groups were identified on the basis of extreme EDI factor scores: a body-dissatisfied group and a binge-purge group with poor psychological adjustment. For campus intervention programs, potential usefulness of the EDI for screening of relevant subgroups is discussed, with particular attention to body dissatisfaction.

Optimism and College Grades: Predicting GPA From Explanatory Style

“…Past research has found that women diagnosed with an eating disorder and women displaying symptoms of an eating dysfunction show high levels of body dissatisfaction, weight preoccupation, perfectionist tendencies, and maladaptive eating attitudes and behaviors (Garner et al, 1984;Klemchuk et al, 1990). The present study compared women with an eating disorder to women with an eating dysfunction on these factors, taking them into account simultaneously.…”

“…Of important note, women displaying symptoms of an eating dysfunction have been found to display similar difficulties compared to a clinical population of women diagnosed with eating disorders (Klemchuk, Hutchinson, & Frank, 1990). Garner, Olmsted, Polivy, and Garfinkel (1984) compared women classified as weight preoccupied, meaning that they were highly concerned about their weight, to women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.…”

“…More specifically, past research has found that college women who demonstrated high levels of body dissatisfaction tended to exhibit higher levels of concern about gaining weight and dieting, and reported more maladaptive eating attitudes and behaviors compared to those exhibiting lower levels of body dissatisfaction (Cooley & Toray, 2001). Interestingly, some research has reported that some groups of college women display particularly high rates of body dissatisfaction (Klemchuk et al, 1990), and others have reported overweight women displaying the most body weight dissatisfaction (Neighbors & Sobal, 2007). However, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or maladaptive eating behaviors such as restricting the amount of food consumed are often seen in women who are underweight or who have a normal weight.…”

Self-Silencing as a Mediator and Moderator of Adult Attachment and Disordered Eating Attitudes

“…Similarly, Klemchuk, Hutchinson, and Frank's (1990) factor analytic study yielded a six factor model, accounting for only 41% of the total variance and further recommended more studies to examine the use of two main factors for the purposes of disordered eating screening. Moreover, Garner (1991) recommended the subscales be used individually as the low intercorrelation between subscales suggests they are measuring distinct constructs instead of a general measure of eating disorder symptomatology.…”

Coed Versus Single-Sex Residence Halls: Correlates of Disordered Eating Behavior

“…There are many factors that can play a role in the development of eating disorders such as body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and social physique anxiety (Lofton, 2000). The college environment and experience often tend to drive many of these factors (Klemchuk, Hutchinson, & Frank, 1990).…”