The meaning of body image for women with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a theoretical model accounting for the meaning and function of body image disturbances for individuals with eating disorders. This model departs from available conceptualizations of body image focused on attractiveness and emphasizes the role of body image preoccupations in the regulation of self-esteem and affect. METHOD: This model was developed on the basis of the author's clinical observations and the available empirical research. RESULTS: Three main functions of body image are described. The first one, "affiliation," consists of using one's appearance in the establishment of interpersonal relationships, both at the level of friendship and romance. The second function, "avoidance," consists of using one's body image to avoid abuse, be it psychological, physical, or sexual. The third function, "expression," consists of using one's body image to communicate to the self and others one's capacity for accomplishment or one's inner feelings of dejection. CONCLUSION: This model is designed to be a therapeutic tool within body image therapy. Body image therapy can be most effective when focused on the unique meaning of body image for each individual patient.

Weight gain after smoking cessation in women: the impact of dieting status.

OBJECTIVE: The fear of weight gain appears to be a barrier to quitting in some smokers, particularly in women. However, not all female smokers have the same concerns about weight, and not all quitters are equally susceptible to gaining weight after cessation. We hypothesized that among females, dieters, compared to nondieters, would report more weight gain after smoking cessation and would tend to smoke more for weight control purpose. METHOD: Undergraduate college students were surveyed to assess their smoking status, dieting status, postcessation weight gain, and their motivations to smoke. RESULTS: Among former smokers, dieters reported considerably more weight gain than nondieters. Dieters were more likely to have started, and to have continued smoking in order to control their weight, and among current smokers, dieters reported having had shorter quit attempts. DISCUSSION: The dieters/former smokers' comparatively high weight gain after smoking cessation is discussed in terms of possible changes in dietary intake, metabolic rate, and physical activity.

Eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: neurochemical and phenomenological commonalities.

This paper explores a possible connection between neurochemistry and cognitions in eating disorders (ED). Cognitions play an important role in ED. However, a possible neurochemical origin of these cognitions has not been explored. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known as a disorder of thinking. Extensive neurochemical research conducted on this disorder indicates a connection between serotonin (5-HT) dysregulation and cognitions in OCD. This study used research done on OCD as a template to interpret the available research findings in ED and their possible meaning in terms of neurochemical origin of cognitions in ED. This paper suggests that the neurochemical and behavioral expression of both ED and OCD occur on a continuum. At one end of the continuum, ED and OCD are expressed through constrained behaviors of an avoidant quality. This pole is also characterized by high levels of serotonin markers. At the other end, both disorders are characterized by disinhibited approach behavior. This end of the continuum is characterized by low levels of 5-HT markers. It is suggested that these levels of 5-HT generate cognitions that may in turn promote specific behaviors.