Prevalence of pica and rumination behaviours in adults and associations with eating disorder and general psychopathology: findings form a population-based study.

AIMS: Pica and rumination disorder are known as feeding disorder diagnoses in childhood, but little is known about their occurrence in adulthood. This study aimed to assess prevalence rates of one-time and recurrent pica and rumination behaviours (PB and RB) in adults, including sociodemographic subgroups, and to examine associations with other eating disorder and general psychopathology. METHODS: The representative population sample (N = 2403) completed measures on PB and RB, symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), body image and symptoms of depression and anxiety. RESULTS: Any PB and RB were reported in 5.33 and 5.49%, respectively, while recurrent PB or RB occurred in 1.08 and 0.71%, respectively. Co-occurrence was high, with 35.29% of recurrent PB in RB, and 23.08% vice versa. Prevalence rates of recurrent PB or RB did not differ by gender, weight status, educational or migration history from those without recurrent behaviours. Adults with v. without recurrent PB and RB showed more symptoms of ARFID, general eating disorders depression and anxiety, and behavioural symptoms of eating disorders (with the exception of compensatory behaviours in recurrent PB), and less positive body image. However, there were no differences regarding age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the clinical significance of PB and RB in adults regarding both prevalence and associations with other psychopathological symptoms. In particular, associations with body image need to be investigated further, as in contrast to other eating disorders, body image disturbance is not yet represented in the diagnostic criteria for pica and rumination disorder. In sum, the findings highlight the need for clinical attention for these disorders and related behaviours in adults.

Anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder: A comparison of body image concerns and explicit and implicit attractiveness beliefs.

Although body image is central to the etiological models of anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder, studies comparing body image and beliefs about attractiveness between the disorders are rare. Sixty-nine individuals (anorexia nervosa: n=24, body dysmorphic disorder: n=23, healthy controls: n=22) completed self-report measures (body image and general psychopathology), diagnostic interviews, and Go/No-Go Association tasks measuring implicit associations. Compared to controls, both clinical groups exhibited greater negative body image, a more negative attitude toward their physical selves, and more dysfunctional coping strategies (ps<.001). Also, both clinical groups shared greater explicit beliefs about the importance of attractiveness (ps<.001). In addition to supporting previous research with regard to comparable body image disturbance, this study also showed that beliefs regarding the importance of appearance (e.g., "one must be attractive to be successful") might be a fruitful target for therapy across both disorders.

[Child and adolescent obesity, psychosocial consequences and treatment strategies]. / Psychosoziale Folgen von Adipositas im Kindes- und Jugendalter und Strategien zu deren Behandlung.

Being overweight and obese in childhood and adolescence is associated with various somatic and psychosocial sequelae. Psychosocial problems can negatively influence the future weight trajectory. Therefore, weight reduction or stabilization should be complemented by the treatment of significant psychosocial problems. This review provides an overview of the psychosocial problems associated with being overweight and obese in childhood and adolescence. Evidence on weight-related stigmatization and discrimination, eating disorder symptoms, general psychopathology, impaired quality of life, lowered self-esteem, social skill deficits, as well as academic problems is summarized. Furthermore, state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the psychosocial problems are summarized. Future research should focus on the development of interventions targeting the destigmatization of obesity, as experiences of stigmatization and discrimination likely aggravate the psychosocial sequelae of overweight and obesity.