Search results

(1 - 2 of 2)
Overvaluation of Weight and Shape Among Weight Loss Surgery Candidates
Title
Overvaluation of Weight and Shape Among Weight Loss Surgery Candidates
Creator
Hecht, Leah Marie
Date
2019
Description
Overvaluation of shape and weight is a measure of the degree to which an individual’s self-evaluation is influenced by their shape and weight....
Show moreOvervaluation of shape and weight is a measure of the degree to which an individual’s self-evaluation is influenced by their shape and weight. Among individuals with eating disorders, this construct has been associated with elevated levels of eating pathology and psychological distress. Similarly, weight loss surgery candidates often report high levels of eating pathology, including loss of control eating, in addition to elevated levels of depression. Although studies have found poorer outcomes among those who endorse overvaluation of shape and weight in addition to loss of control eating as compared to those who deny overvaluation of shape and weight, the degree to which overvaluation of shape and weight is associated with disordered eating pathology, depression, psychosocial functioning, and self-esteem among weight loss surgery candidates has not been examined. The goals of the current study were to further elucidate these associations, including the degree to which frequency of loss of control eating episodes mediates associations. Data were analyzed from 88 individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Overvaluation of shape and weight was highly prevalent, with approximately 49% of the sample endorsing their weight and/or shape had a significant impact on their self-evaluation. The results of correlational analyses supported a link between overvaluation of shape and weight and higher levels of eating pathology, including more frequent loss of control eating episodes and disordered eating attitudes, in addition to poorer psychosocial functioning as indicated by greater psychosocial impairment, depression, and lower self-esteem. While frequency of loss of control eating episodes partially mediated associations between overvaluation of shape and weight and global eating pathology, it was not a significant mediator of the associations between overvaluation of shape and weight and shape/weight concerns, weight-related psychosocial functioning, self-esteem, or depression. These findings underscore the importance of assessing pre-surgical levels of overvaluation of shape and weight among individuals seeking bariatric surgery and suggest the importance of evaluating these attitudes and behaviors following surgery.
Show less
Decreasing Body Dissatisfaction in Male College Athletes: A Pilot Study of the Male Athlete Body Project
Title
Decreasing Body Dissatisfaction in Male College Athletes: A Pilot Study of the Male Athlete Body Project
Creator
Perelman, Hayley
Date
2020
Description
Body dissatisfaction is associated with marked distress and often precipitates disordered eating symptomology. Body dissatisfaction in male...
Show moreBody dissatisfaction is associated with marked distress and often precipitates disordered eating symptomology. Body dissatisfaction in male athletes is an important area to explore, as research in this field often focuses on eating disorders in female athletes. The current body of literature regarding male college athletes suggests that they experience pressures associated with both societal muscular ideals and sport performance. While there is a clear association between drive for muscularity and body dissatisfaction in college male athletes, no study to date has evaluated the efficacy of a body dissatisfaction intervention for this population. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a pilot intervention program that targeted body dissatisfaction in male college athletes. Participants were randomized into an adapted version of the Female Athlete Body Project (i.e., the Male Athlete Body Project) or an assessment-only control condition. A total of 79 male college athletes (39 in treatment condition) completed this study for a retention rate of 84.9%. Participants in the experimental group attended three 80-minute group sessions once a week for three weeks. All participants completed measures of body dissatisfaction, internalization of the body ideal, drive for muscularity, negative affect, and sport confidence at three time points: baseline, post-treatment (three weeks after baseline for the control condition), and one-month follow-up. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to assess differences between conditions across time. Participation in the MABP improved men’s satisfaction with specific body parts, drive for muscularity, and body-ideal internalization at post-treatment. Men in the MABP also reported improvements in appearance evaluation and overweight preoccupation at post-treatment and one-month follow-up, and in negative affect at one-month follow-up only. Improvements in drive for muscularity were retained at one-month follow-up. This study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of the Male Athlete Body Project.
Show less