Impulsiveness as potential moderators of the relation between social media dependence and eating disorders risk.

BACKGROUND: Social media dependence (SMD) and eating disorders (ED) risk are often thought to be inextricably linked. Because social media dependence often precedes an ED, predicts poor outcome, and persists even after recovery from an ED, it is important to examine whether certain factors have the ability to potentially attenuate or intensify SMD's effect on eating disorders. METHODS: In the current study, we examined one possible moderating factor: impulsiveness. 767 undergraduates (mean age = 18.78 years, SD = 1.20) in Shaanxi province of China, completed anonymous questionnaires regarding social media dependence, eating disorders, impulsiveness. RESULTS: Revealed that non-planned impulsiveness (NPI) moderated the relation between SMD and ED risk. Individuals who were low in SMD and who reported low levels of NPI reported much lower levels of ED risk than those with low SMD and high NPI. However, Individuals who were high in SMD and who reported low levels of NPI reported much higher levels of ED risk than those with high SMD and high NPI. Contrary to our hypotheses, Motor impulsiveness and cognitive impulsiveness did not emerge as moderators of the relation between SMD and ED risk. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide growing support that factors that interact with SMD can lessen or aggravate SMD's effect on ED risk. These findings can be beneficial to our understanding of how and when social media dependence impacts undergraduates' eating disorders risk.

Ecuadorian adaptation and validation of the Scale ofRisk Factors Associated with Eating Disorders (EFRATA)

El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y conocer la estructura factorial y la confiabilidad en la población ecuatoriana de la Escala EFRATA de Factores de Riesgo Asociados a los Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria. Se utilizó una muestra no probabilística de 1172 participantes (edad: M = 21.99; DT = 2.49; 58.6% mujeres y 41.4% hombres). El primer estudio de análisis paralelo identificó siete factores interpretables que explican el 50% de la varianza. El segundo estudio de análisis factorial confirmatorio indica un ajuste aceptable (GFI = 0.96; AGFI = 0.95; NFI = 0,94; RMR = 0.08). Los coeficientes de confiabilidad para el alfa de Cronbach y el omega de McDonald's fueron 0.89 y 0.90 respectivamente. La versión ecuatoriana de la EFRATA muestra buenas propiedades psicométricas y se adapta al contexto cultural de este país.(AU)

The objective of this study was to adapt and know the factorial structure and reliability in the Ecuadorian population of the EFRATA Scale of Risk Factors Associated with Eating Disorders. A non-probabilistic sample of 1172 participants were used (age: M= 21.99; SD= 2.49; 58.6% women and 41.4% men). The first parallel analysis study iden-tified seven interpretable factors that explain 50% of the variance. The second confirmatory factor analysis study indicates an acceptable fit (GFI = 0.96; AGFI = 0.95; NFI = 0.94; RMR = 0.08). The reliability coeffi-cients for Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were 0.89 and 0.90 re-spectively. The Ecuadorian version of the EFRATA shows good psycho-metric properties and adapts to the cultural context of this country

An investigation of the affective experience of females at high risk for eating disorders in general and pathology-specific contexts.

OBJECTIVE: Difficulties with emotional experiences have long been implicated in the development or maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). However, the vast majority of this work is theoretical or self-report, with few studies examining the somatic-affective experience of individuals with EDs under experimental conditions. The aim of the current study was to: i) examine physiological reactivity and subjective report of emotional experiences in response to ED pathology-specific and general affective film clips, and ii) examine the impact of film on body size estimation in females at risk for EDs. METHOD: Females aged 14-24 years old of either high (N = 42) or low (N = 43) risk for EDs viewed pathology-specific and general affective film clips and provided their affective ratings and body-size estimations post film clips. Heart Rate and Skin Conductance Levels were recorded during each clip. RESULTS: High risk participants evidenced greater physiological arousal across conditions and in both general and pathology-specific affective contexts. Negative affect induced via the ED-pathology specific film clip had a greater impact on the high risk group's body-size estimations. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals at risk for EDs seem to experience greater physiological arousal and this may influence the experience of their bodies, or direct attention to their body as a way to attenuate unwanted emotion or due to somatic feedback.

Inducing negative affect using film clips with general and eating disorder-related content.

The aim of the present study was to select appropriate film clips with a general vs. eating disorder (ED)-related content to induce negative affect. More specifically, the study examined the subjective emotional experience (valence, arousal, anxiety, induction of somatic symptoms, and ability to control reactions during film clips) of Greek-Cypriot university students (N = 79) in response to three types of film clips: general unpleasant, ED-specific unpleasant, and emotionally neutral. In addition, the study aimed to compare the emotional reactions to the aforementioned clips between two groups of participants differing on their risk for ED (high vs. low). Preliminary results indicate the clips with general content ("The Champ") and with ED-specific content ("Binge eating") that are most effective in inducing negative affect and differentiating between risk groups. These clips provide an effective method for emotion induction that can be used for assessing the emotional experience of individuals with ED symptoms, since their emotional experience is significantly implicated in the development and maintenance of their symptoms (Merwin, Clin Psychol Sci Pract 18(3):208-214, 2011).Level of evidence No level of evidence, Experimental Study.

A vicious cycle among cognitions and behaviors enhancing risk for eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Establishing the sequence in which risk factors for eating disorders (ED) emerge would enable more effective ED prevention. Thus, in our study we investigated reciprocal and indirect associations between three cognitive and behavioral ED determinants (appearance orientation, appearance worries, and dieting) emphasized in the transdiagnostic model of ED. METHODS: Data were collected in a non-clinical group of adolescents at Time 1 (T1), and then 2-months (Time 2, T2) and 13-months later (Time 3, T3). Participants (N = 1260) aged 13-19 completed a questionnaire encompassing their nutrition behaviors, beliefs about appearance, health and well-being. Weight and height were measured objectively. RESULTS: Higher levels of appearance orientation (T1) were associated with higher levels of appearance worries (T2) which in turn predicted dieting (T3). Dieting (T1) predicted higher levels of appearance orientation (T2) which in turn predicted higher levels of appearance worries (T3). Higher levels of appearance worries (T1) were associated with higher levels of appearance orientation (T2) which in turn predicted dieting (T3). Also, higher levels of appearance worries (T1) were associated with dieting (T2), and higher levels of appearance orientation (T3). CONCLUSIONS: The three transdiagnostic model variables formed a vicious cycle. Therefore, higher levels of one of ED determinants (appearance orientation, appearance worries or dieting) increase the likelihood of the elevated levels of two other ED determinants at follow-ups and thus enhances the risk for ED.

Eating disorders risk and its relation to self-esteem and body image in Iranian university students of medical sciences.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders are rapidly increasing in young adults. But, a few studies have examined the risk of eating disorders and body image in university students of non-Western societies. The current study aimed to assess eating disorders risk in relation to body image and self-esteem among Iranian university students. METHOD: The participants were 430 students from Tabriz, between April and May 2015. The 26-item Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Questionnaires were used. EAT-26 score of 20 or more was considered as eating disorders risk cutoff. RESULTS: Majority of the students (68 %) were females. The overall eating disorders risk was 9.5 % (7.5 and 10.5 % in men and women, respectively). Further, the prevalence of poor body image and low self-esteem was 34.2 and 16 %, respectively. Neither of the gender differences was statistically significant (p > 0.05). In simple logistic regression, there were significant associations between self-esteem, body image, parental education and eating disorders risk (p < 0.025). But, after adjustments for gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and marital status, only self-esteem (OR = 0.37, 95 % = 0.16-0.87) and mother's education level (OR = 2.78, 95 % = 1.30-5.93) were predictors of eating disorders risk. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that low self-esteem and mother's higher education may increase eating disorders risk and the predictive role of body image possibly is by other mediators such as self-esteem. This warrants awareness improvement and developing appropriate interventions targeting self-esteem and self-respect of students.

Variables predictoras de riesgo de trastorno del comportamiento alimentario en mujeres / Predictors of risk for eating disorders in women

El propósito de esta investigación fue analizar el papel de la composición corporal, la insatisfacción corporal y el modelo de delgadez sobre el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos del comportamiento alimentario (TCA). Participaron 289 estudiantes universitarias, quienes contestaron el cuestionario de actitudes alimentarias, el cuestionario de bulimia de edimburgo y el cuestionario de influencias del modelo estético corporal. La composición corporal se analizó por medio de bioimpedancia eléctrica. Se encontró que 9.69 por ciento de las mujeres presentaron riesgo de TCA, siendo mayor el porcentaje entre las mujeres que tenían peso normal y cantidades excesivas de grasa corporal. La insatisfacción corporal predijo el riesgo de anorexia nerviosa, y la interacción entre insatisfacción corporal, influencia de la publicidad e índice de masa corporal predijo el riesgo de bulimia nerviosa. Se concluye que la insatisfacción corporal juega un papel relevante en la predicción de riesgo de TCA.

The purpose of this research was to examine the role of body composition, body dissatisfaction, and thinness model on the risk of developing eating disorders (ED). The sample comprised 289 female students who answered the eating attitudes test, the bulimic investigatory test, edinburgh, and the questionnaire on influences on body shape model. The body composition was assessed by electrical impedance. The results showed that the risk for having an ED was found in 9.69 percent of women, and the percentage was high among normal weight women, especially women who had excessive body fat. The body dissatisfaction predicted the risk for anorexia nervosa, and the interaction between body dissatisfaction, influence of advertisement and body mass index predicted the risk for bulimia nervosa. These findings suggest that the role of body dissatisfaction was relevant to predict the risk for ED.