Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms and Body Checking in Women and Men

Vartanian, Lenny R.; Grisham, Jessica R.

doi:10.1007/s10608-011-9356-0

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Consistent with findings from experimental and cross-sectional studies with non-clinical samples suggesting an association between body checking and overvaluation of shape and weight (Haase et al, 2011; Shafran et al, 2007; Smeets et al, 2011; Vartanian & Grisham, 2012), results from the current study supported the hypothesized positive association between average daily frequency of body checking behaviors and ED symptoms in AN, with the strongest associations found for shape and weight concerns. Body checking frequency was also found to exhibit a small but significant positive association with BMI, suggesting that body checking may occur at a greater rate among women with AN who have a higher BMI.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Findings from studies with non-clinical samples suggest that body checking is associated with body dissatisfaction and other ED symptoms (Haase, Mountford, & Waller, 2011; Shafran, Lee, Payne, & Fairburn, 2007; Smeets et al, 2011; Vartanian & Grisham, 2012), as well as impairments in overall quality of life and mental health (Latner, Mond, Vallance, Gleaves, & Buckett, 2012). Within the ED literature, much of the existing research on body checking has been conducted with binge eating disorder (BED) or mixed ED samples.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A naturalistic examination of body checking and dietary restriction in women with anorexia nervosa

Lavender

Wonderlich

Crosby

et al. 2013

Behaviour Research and Therapy

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Body checking has been conceptualized as a behavioral manifestation of the core overvaluation of eating, shape, and weight concerns underlying eating disorder psychopathology. Cognitive-behavioral theories suggest that body checking behaviors may function to maintain dietary restriction. The current study examined the association between body checking frequency and dietary restriction among women with anorexia nervosa (AN) in the natural environment. Women (N = 118) with full or partial AN completed baseline clinical interviews and a two-week ecological momentary assessment protocol, during which they reported on body checking behaviors (i.e., checking whether one’s thighs touch; checking joints/bones for fat) and dietary restriction (i.e., 8 waking hours without eating; consuming less than 1200 calories per day). Average daily body checking frequency was positively associated with baseline eating disorder symptoms and body mass index. Daily body checking frequency was associated with both forms of dietary restriction on the same day, as well as the following day. Results support the theorized association between body checking and overvaluation of shape and weight, and suggest that targeting such behaviors in treatment may have utility in reducing dietary restriction.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A naturalistic examination of body checking and dietary restriction in women with anorexia nervosa

Lavender

Wonderlich

Crosby

et al. 2013

Behaviour Research and Therapy

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“…Third, we did not concurrently measure the participants’ levels of drive for thinness and internalization of the thin ideal which has already been established as a mediator between sociocultural pressures of the ideal body and body dissatisfaction [48]. Given that previous evidences has shown that the latter is a predictor of body checking behaviour [17] and that body dissatisfaction is a widespread experience in Western culture [48], future research should account for this variable. Finally, the study design was also limited since single item measures were used to evaluate body satisfaction and social anxiety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, these investigations should also research additional predictors of body checking and body avoidance as well as extend the actual knowledge of important triggers for body image dissatisfaction related behaviours. These triggers include compulsive symptoms [17], the comparison process [15], body-related self-critical thinking, and fear of fatness [12].…”

Section: General Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For women, the available research has shown that body checking behaviour is positively associated with increased upward social comparisons to media images [15], lower levels of feminist beliefs [16], body concern [6], obsessive-compulsive symptoms, perfectionism, negative [17] and narcissistic characteristics [18], body mass index, and age [19]. Known predictors of body checking behaviours are negative affect and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with the latter being relevant only for men [17]. Finally, body checking could also predicted the presence or absence of objective binging and purging in a non-clinical study [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Initial Psychometric Evaluation and Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study of the Body Checking Questionnaire among Brazilian Women

et al. 2013

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Body checking is considered an expression of an excessive preoccupation with appearance. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Additionally, we wanted to examine the questionnaire’s associations with body avoidance behaviour, body mass index, dietary habits, and the intensity, frequency, and length of physical exercise. Finally, we also examined the differences between the total BCQ score and the individual BCQ factor scores. Differences between active and sedentary persons and between non-dieters and those on weight-loss diets were also analyzed. For the psychometric study, 546 female public university students from four different courses were surveyed. Two minor samples of university students and eating disorders women were also recruited. In the second part of the study, 403 women were recruited from weight-loss programs, gyms, and a university. All participants were verbally invited to participate in the research and voluntarily took part. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the original model of the Brazilian BCQ that retained all 23 items. Satisfactory evidence of construct validity and internal consistency were also generated through analysis of factor loadings, t-values, Cronbach’s alpha, and construct reliability tests. The results also showed associations among body checking and body avoidance, body satisfaction, social anxiety, body mass index, and the frequency and intensity of physical exercise. Significant differences were found between non-dieters and weight-loss dieters for all BCQ factors and the total BCQ score. For physically active and sedentary persons, a significant difference was only observed for idiosyncratic checking behaviour. In conclusion, the BCQ appears to be a valid and reliable scale for Brazilian research, and the associations and differences found in this study suggest that women at gyms and especially in weight-loss programs should be targeted for future body checking studies.

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Assessment of thought–shape fusion: Initial validation of a short version of the trait thought–shape fusion scale

Coelho

Baeyens

Purdon

et al. 2012

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective: Thought–shape fusion (TSF) is a cognitive distortion that has been linked to eating pathology. Two studies were conducted to further explore this phenomenon and to establish the psychometric properties of a French short version of the TSF scale. Method: In Study 1, students (n = 284) completed questionnaires assessing TSF and related psychopathology. In Study 2, the responses of women with eating disorders (n = 22) and women with no history of an eating disorder (n = 23) were compared. Results: The French short version of the TSF scale has a unifactorial structure, with convergent validity with measures of eating pathology, and good internal consistency. Depression, eating pathology, body dissatisfaction, and thought‐action fusion emerged as predictors of TSF. Individuals with eating disorders have higher TSF, and more clinically relevant food‐related thoughts than do women with no history of an eating disorder. Discussion: This research suggests that the shortened TSF scale can suitably measure this construct, and provides support for the notion that TSF is associated with eating pathology. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)

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Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms and Body Checking in Women and Men

Cited by 20 publications

References 32 publications

A naturalistic examination of body checking and dietary restriction in women with anorexia nervosa

A naturalistic examination of body checking and dietary restriction in women with anorexia nervosa

An Initial Psychometric Evaluation and Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study of the Body Checking Questionnaire among Brazilian Women

Assessment of thought–shape fusion: Initial validation of a short version of the trait thought–shape fusion scale

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