The associations between autistic traits and disordered eating/drive for muscularity are independent of anxiety and depression in females but not males

Abstract

Previous research has shown a positive correlation between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms, and this relationship appears to be independent of co-occurring mental health status. The current study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate a previously unconsidered factor in the relationship between autistic traits and disorders of eating and body image: the drive for muscularity. Participants (N = 1068) completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Positive correlations between AQ and EAT-26 and AQ and DMS were observed. In females, AQ remained significantly correlated with EAT-26 and DMS when controlling for co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, but this was not the case in males. These findings demonstrate the moderating role of sex, and the need to consider autistic traits in individuals diagnosed with, or at a heightened risk for, disorders of eating and body image.

Exploring the role of autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology on mentalising ability in the general population

“…Unlike autistic traits overall, which were only related to eating disorder psychopathology for the female sub-sample, difficulty with attention switching was related to increased eating disorder psychopathology in both females and males. In comparison to the few studies that have evaluated the role of biological sex in this domain, the relationship between autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology has previously been reported as being stronger among females [ 49 , 66 ], a finding which was not replicated by the present study. Taking these findings together, it is logical to suggest that even sub-clinically, autistic traits contribute to the presence of eating disorder psychopathology, and that this might be more salient among females [ 53 , 67 ].…”

“…While mental health history is an important consideration for future research in this, or any other field related to mental health, one study reported that a correlation between eating disorder psychopathology and autistic traits exists independent of traits related to anxiety and depression [ 49 ]. Another found that this was only true for female participants [ 66 ].…”

Body image and autism: A scoping review

“…Of the 8 studies, three were cross-sectional (Galvin et al, 2022;Krumm et al, 2017;Mansour et al, 2016), one experimental (Kuroki & Fukui, 2020), and four qualitative (Brede et al, 2020;Healy et al, 2021;Jachyra et al, 2019;Walker et al, 2020). Publication dates ranged from November 2016 to October 2022.…”

“…It was therefore concluded that difficulties with emotional dysregulation may play a role in increased body dissatisfaction among autistic individuals. Second, Galvin et al (2022) examined the mediating role of the drive for muscularity between autistic traits and ED pathology among a neurotypical sample (n = 1068, M age = 28.65 years). Authors identified a significant positive correlation between Drive for Muscularity Scale (i.e., one's desire to have a more muscular body; McCreary & Sasse, 2000) total scores (r = 0.077, p < 0.05) and muscle-oriented body image subscale scores (r = 0.125, p < 0.001) and AQ total scores.…”