The significance of body size estimation in eating disorders: Its relationship with clinical and psychological variables

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between body size estimation on the one hand and clinical and psychological variables on the other. Method: Body size estimation was tested with the video distortion method on a life-size screen in normal women (n = 45) and compared to a total of 189 female eating disorder patients (100 with restricting anorexia nervosa, 41 with binging/purging anorexia nervosa, 48 with bulimia nervosa). The subjects' cognitive responses (what they think they really look like), affective responses (what they feel they look like), and optative responses (what they want to look like) were correlated with clinical parameters (including body composition) and with the scores on a series of self-report questionnaires assessing general psychological well-being and body experience. Results: No significant relationship was found between the body size estimations and the clinical variables. The cognitive and affective responses showed a moderate relationship with selfreported body attitude. Body dissatisfaction was negatively correlated with the optative response (desired body size). Discussion: This study contributes to the construct validity of the video distortion method. Body size estimation includes more than just a perceptual task. Hence, the narrow notion of body image should be replaced by the more complex construct of ''body experience,'' the multidimensionality of which should be addressed in both research and treatment of eating-disordered patients.

Transsexuialism and anorexia nervosa: A case report

“…Persons with an atypical gender role behavior are supposed to be more vulnerable for developing an eating disorder (Schneider, O'kary, &Jenkins, 1995;Fichter & Daser, 1987). In our opinion, this is not only due to an overemphasis on physical attractiveness (Siever, 1994) but also to a dissatisfaction with one's own self-image (Adami, et al, 1998;Fernhdez & T u r h , 1998, Probst, Vandereycken, Vanderlinden, & Van Coppenolle, 1998.…”

Body image assessment using body size estimation in recent studies on anorexia nervosa. A brief review.

“…Most authors agree that body size estimation is more than just a perceptual task and that body image disturbance in anorexia nervosa is not a perceptual disturbance per se (7,9,13,20,29,38). Relative to perceptual distortion indices, attitudinal measures produce significantly larger effects (7,9,27,31,38).…”

“…Video distortion method (VDM), either on a TV monitor or on a life-size screen, has been the method most frequently used in the last few years (eight out of 13 studies, that is 61.5 %) (8,9,13,22,27,29,31,38).Video distortion was used mainly as a whole body technique, although Gardner et al introduced body region estimation in VDM as well (13).…”

“…Overestimators reported a more negative body attitude and a more 'neurotic profile' on the Symptom Checklist.Also using this video distortion method together with a silhouette technique, as well as a range of questionnaires, Probst et al (31) found no significant relationship between the body size estimations and the clinical variables. Smeets et al (38) used a video distortion method and applied the BAQ.…”

“…Hilde Bruch is credited with being the first to recognise dysfunctional body image experience as a core feature of eating disorders (6). Although the nature of body image disturbance is still controversial (7,9,13,20,31,39), this feature has become part of the definition of eating disorders in the two most commonly used classification schemes: the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Both consider dysfunctional body image experience an important symptom of eating disorders.…”