Body uneasiness is associated with food addiction symptoms: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the association between food addiction (FA) symptoms and body uneasiness in a nonclinical sample, while controlling for potential confounding variables. Participants (N = 395; 123 men) were administered self-report measures assessing FA, binge eating severity, body uneasiness, depressive symptoms, emotion dysregulation and socio-demographic variables. Body uneasiness was independently associated with FA symptoms (standardized beta coefficients ranging between 0.41 [p < 0.001] and 0.22 [p < 0.001]), even when controlling for the presence of other variables. This finding suggests that body uneasiness may be a crucial symptom in the development and/or maintenance of FA symptoms.

Mediation Effect of Depression on the Association between Food Addiction and Body Image in Individuals with Obesity

“…Studies carried out with patients diagnosed with BED and BN particularly in Western cultures indicated that factors like depression, anxiety, selfesteem, and being exposed to teasing about body image in childhood mediated the association between eating disorders and body dissatisfaction (11,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37). Previous studies carried out in clinical and non-clinical populations in the Turkish society and in different cultures indicate that those with food addiction have lower body satisfaction level and higher body uneasiness and anxiety levels with respect to their weight and body shapes, and that they are ashamed of their body shapes (6,17,19,22). In the present study, different from the previous studies, it was established that food addiction had a total effect on body dissatisfaction but no direct effect.…”

“…When compared with other psychopathological structures often associated with FA in recent years (for instance emotion dysregulation and depression), BI was a topic that was less emphasized (6). However, in studies carried out recently with different clinical or nonclinical age groups, it was shown that there is a negative relationship between FA symptoms and body satisfaction (17) and body uneasiness is independently related with FA symptoms (6). Studies conducted with obese patients report that those with a FA diagnosis have higher anxiety related to weight and body shape (22) and body shame increases as the severity of FA rises (19).…”

Shades of Foods: Prevalence and correlates of food addiction

“…In line with expectations, food addicts scored lower for positive body image and higher for body shame. A lower level of positive body image predicted FA symptom severity (i.e., body uneasiness may be an essential symptom in the development and maintenance of FA; Imperatori et al, 2018). Positive body image is defined as "an overarching love and respect for the body" (Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015, p. 121), which is associated with self-care behaviours and adaptive coping strategies.…”

Clinical Considerations of Ultra-processed Food Addiction Across Weight Classes: an Eating Disorder Treatment and Care Perspective

“…Body image disturbance has been independently associated with UPFA symptoms, suggesting that it may be one important factor in the development and/or maintenance of UPFA [ 80 ]. While it is likely to be a consequence of UPFA, assessment of body image through validated instruments or by clinical evaluation may be important for developing treatment interventions.…”