The Relative Associations of Body Image Dissatisfaction among Psychiatric Out-Patients in Singapore

Abstract

Background: Adults with body image dissatisfaction (BID) are more likely to be depressed, anxious, and suicidal when compared to those without intense dissatisfaction over their appearance. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with BID among out-patients with mental illness in Singapore. Methods: Data was collected from 310 psychiatric out-patients using a self-administered questionnaire. Measurements used were socio-demographic characteristics, Body Mass Index scores, Body Shape Questionnaire, Binge Eating Scale, Eating Attitudes Test, Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Results: A prevalence of 30.9% of BID was established among psychiatric out-patients in Singapore. Being female, having higher BMI scores, binge eating behavior, eating disorders, and those diagnosed with depression were positively associated with BID. Conclusion: BID is prevalent among those with psychiatric illnesses which could lead to a higher degree of psychological distress and the emergence of eating disorders.

Dissatisfaction with Local Medical Services for Middle-Aged and Elderly in China: What Is Relevant?

“…Overall, 16% of middle-aged and elderly in China were dissatisfied with the local medical services, 38% of them were satisfied with the local medical services, 16% of rural participants and 19% of urban participants were dissatisfied with the services they received, respectively. This dissatisfaction was higher than an investigation conducted 10 years before in China (13%) [ 10 ] but lower than those of studies conducted in Heilongjiang Province of China [ 9 ]; it was higher than those of studies conducted in the public and private wing of the health services in Ethiopia [ 13 ], in Dutch university medical centers [ 34 ] and in other developed countries [ 1 ] but lower than those of studies conducted in Tanzania [ 35 ], among psychiatric outpatients in Singapore [ 36 ] and diabetes mellitus patients in Pakistan [ 16 ]. This discrepancy among different studies in China may be due to the differences in the study population.…”

Body image before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: comparison and its contributing factors

“…A previous study found no significant association between BI and employment [57], but another study confirmed the positive effect of employment on body satisfaction [58]. Perhaps, employed people and especially white-collar employees have better job security, and lower concerns over income and employment, and hence, have more positive attitudes towards life and better perception about self [53,59,60].…”

Factors of body dissatisfaction among lebanese adolescents: the indirect effect of self-esteem between mental health and body dissatisfaction

“…Additionally, BD-depression links are supported by neurobiological studies where hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis and serotonin system low levels are incorporated in mood disorders and in weight regulation, and brain areas involved in hedonic regulation may play a role in BD and depression [ 62 , 63 ]. On the other hand, weight gain, which is often observed in patients who are depressed, can lead to BD [ 35 , 36 ].…”

“…Furthermore, the individual’s psychological status has a role in BD including depression [ 8 , 27 ], stress [ 31 ], anxiety [ 10 ] and self-esteem [ 32 – 34 ]. Hence, the psychosocial status may increase the risk of BD, and some studies showed a bidirectional association between them [ 8 , 35 , 36 ]. Political and financial crisis that Lebanese are living, propose the Lebanese adolescents to altered mental health [ 37 ], and hence prone to BD.…”