Eating Disorders Risk, Depression and Body Dissatisfaction among Iranian Females Participating in Sports
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of eating disorders among young adults is rapidly increasing. However, a few studies have examined the risk of eating disorders and psychological factors of body dissatisfaction and stress in females of non-Western societies. The current study was designed to assess the correlations between eating disorders risk and body image and depression among Iranian females.
Methods: The participants were 221 females attending sports clubs in Tehran. The 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Photographic Figure Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were used. An EAT-26 score of ≥ 20 was considered as eating disorder risk cutoff.
Results: Approximately 50% of the participants were at higher risk of developing eating disorders. Additionally, 62.4% reported a history of overeating, and 43% reported the experience of being unable to control their eating and food intake. Using Spearman correlation analysis, we found significant associations between eating disorders risk and depression, body dissatisfaction, and anthropometric indices. In addition, weight control behaviors were prevalent in subjects, with dieting (43%) and exercise (31.2%) being the most prevalent strategies.
Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of disordered eating. The findings revealed that poor psychological state may increase eating disorders risk. This warrants improving awareness and developing appropriate interventions targeting depression and body image satisfaction among females.
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2. Pavlova B, Uher R, Dragomirecka E, Papezova H. Trends in hospital admissions for eating disorders in a country undergoing a socio-cultural transition, the Czech Republic 1981–2005. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2010; 45(5):541-50.
3. Becker AE, Fay KE, Agnew-Blais J, Khan AN, Striegel-Moore RH, Gilman SE. Social network media exposure and adolescent eating pathology in Fiji. Br J Psychiatry. 2011; 198(1):43-50.
4. Frost J, McKelvie S. Self-esteem and body satisfaction in male and female elementary school, high school, and university students. Sex roles. 2004; 51(1-2):45-54.
5. Van den Berg P, Wertheim EH, Thompson JK, Paxton SJ. Development of body image, eating disturbance, and general psychological functioning in adolescent females: A replication using covariance structure modeling in an Australian sample. Int J Eat Disord. 2002; 32(1):46-51.
6. Obeid N, Buchholz A, Boerner KE, Henderson KA, Norris M. Self-esteem and social anxiety in an adolescent female eating disorder population: age and diagnostic effects. Eat Disord. 2013; 21(2):140-53.
7. Johnson C, Powers PS, Dick R. Athletes and eating disorders: the National Collegiate Athletic Association study Int J Eat Disord. 1999; 26(2):179-88.
8. Mulgrew KE, Kannis-Dymand L, Hughes E, Carter JD, Kaye S. Psychological factors associated with the use of weight management behaviours in young adults. Journal of Health Psychology. 2016; 24(3):337-50.
9. Gillen MM, Markey CN, Markey PM. An examination of dieting behaviors among adults: Links with depression. Eat Behav. 2012; 13(2):88-93.
10. Rosenbaum DL, White KS. The relation of anxiety, depression, and stress to binge eating behavior. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(6):887-98.
11. Privitera GJ, King-Shepard QW, Cuifolo KN, Doraiswamy PM. Differential food intake and food choice by depression and body mass index levels following a mood manipulation in a buffet-style setting. J Health Psychol. 2019; 24(2):199-208.
12. Torres SJ, Nowson CA. Relationship between stress, eating behavior, and obesity. Nutrition. 2007; 23(11-12):887-94.
13. Cruz-Sáez S, Pascual A, Salaberria K, Echeburúa E. Normal-weight and overweight female adolescents with and without extreme weight-control behaviours: Emotional distress and body image concerns. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(6):730-40.
14. Cruz-Sáez S, Pascual A, Salaberria K, Etxebarria I, Echeburúa E. Risky eating behaviors and beliefs among adolescent girls. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(2):154-63.
15. Gargari B, Khadem-Haghighian M, Taklifi E, Hamed-Behzad M, Shahraki M. Eating attitudes, self-esteem and social physique anxiety among Iranian females who participate in fitness programs. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010; 50(1):79-84.
16. Garner DM, Garfinkel PE. The Eating Attitudes Test: An index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med. 1979; 9(02):273-9.
17. Azali AK, Azaryan S, Ghorbanzadeh B, Khoshnevis F. Figure rating and body appreciation in sedentary and those women present in sport activities from Tabriz city. Journal of Health Promotion Management. 2016; 5(3):1-14.
18. Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Beck depression inventory. 1996.
19. Soh NL, Touyz SW, Surgenor LJ. Eating and body image disturbances across cultures: A review. European Eating Disorders Review. 2006;14(1):54-65.
20. Yager Z, O’Dea JA. Relationships between body image, nutritional supplement use, and attitudes towards doping in sport among adolescent boys: implications for prevention programs. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014;11(1):13.
21. Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N. Prevalence and correlates of disordered eating in a general population sample: the South East London Community Health (SELCoH) study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2014; 49(8):1335-46.
22. Neumark‐Sztainer D. Can we simultaneously work toward the prevention of obesity and eating disorders in children and adolescents? Int J Eat Disord. 2005;38(3):220-7.
23. Haines J, Neumark-Sztainer D. Prevention of obesity and eating disorders: a consideration of shared risk factors. Health Educ Res. 2006; 21(6):770-82.
24. Lim SA, You S. Effects of Self-Esteem and Depression on Abnormal Eating Behavior among Korean Female College Students: Mediating Role of Body Dissatisfaction. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2017; 26(1):176-82.
25. Di Blasi M, Cavani P, Pavia L, Lo Baido R, La Grutta S, Schimmenti A. The relationship between self‐Image and social anxiety in adolescence. Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2015;20(2):74-80.
26. Holland G, Tiggemann M. A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image. 2016; 17:100-10.
27. Klatzkin RR, Gaffney S, Cyrus K, Bigus E, Brownley KA. Stress-induced eating in women with binge-eating disorder and obesity. Biological Psychology. 2018; 131:96-106.
28. McCreary DR. The Drive for Muscularity Scale: Description, Psychometrics, and Research Findings. American Psychological Association. 2007; 87-106
29. Bell HS, Donovan CL, Ramme R. Is athletic really ideal? An examination of the mediating role of body dissatisfaction in predicting disordered eating and compulsive exercise. Eat Behav. 2016; 21:24-9.
30. Ferreira C, Pinto-Gouveia J, Duarte C. Self-compassion in the face of shame and body image dissatisfaction: Implications for eating disorders. Eat Behav. 2013; 14(2):207-10.
31. Anderson LM, Reilly EE, Gorrell S, Anderson DA. Running to win or to be thin? An evaluation of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among adult runners. Body Image. 2016; 17:43-7.
32. Swami V, Steadman L, Tovee MJ. A comparison of body size ideals, body dissatisfaction, and media influence between female track athletes, martial artists, and non-athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2009; 10(6):609-14.
33. Mantilla EF, Bergsten K, Birgegård A. Self-image and eating disorder symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents. Eat Behav. 2014;15(1):125-31.
34. Striegel-Moore RH, Bulik CM. Risk factors for eating disorders. American Psychologist. 2007;62(3):181.
35. O'Brien KS, Latner JD, Puhl RM, Vartanian LR, Giles C, Griva K, et al. The relationship between weight stigma and eating behavior is explained by weight bias internalization and psychological distress. Appetite. 2016; 102:70-6.
2. Pavlova B, Uher R, Dragomirecka E, Papezova H. Trends in hospital admissions for eating disorders in a country undergoing a socio-cultural transition, the Czech Republic 1981–2005. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2010; 45(5):541-50.
3. Becker AE, Fay KE, Agnew-Blais J, Khan AN, Striegel-Moore RH, Gilman SE. Social network media exposure and adolescent eating pathology in Fiji. Br J Psychiatry. 2011; 198(1):43-50.
4. Frost J, McKelvie S. Self-esteem and body satisfaction in male and female elementary school, high school, and university students. Sex roles. 2004; 51(1-2):45-54.
5. Van den Berg P, Wertheim EH, Thompson JK, Paxton SJ. Development of body image, eating disturbance, and general psychological functioning in adolescent females: A replication using covariance structure modeling in an Australian sample. Int J Eat Disord. 2002; 32(1):46-51.
6. Obeid N, Buchholz A, Boerner KE, Henderson KA, Norris M. Self-esteem and social anxiety in an adolescent female eating disorder population: age and diagnostic effects. Eat Disord. 2013; 21(2):140-53.
7. Johnson C, Powers PS, Dick R. Athletes and eating disorders: the National Collegiate Athletic Association study Int J Eat Disord. 1999; 26(2):179-88.
8. Mulgrew KE, Kannis-Dymand L, Hughes E, Carter JD, Kaye S. Psychological factors associated with the use of weight management behaviours in young adults. Journal of Health Psychology. 2016; 24(3):337-50.
9. Gillen MM, Markey CN, Markey PM. An examination of dieting behaviors among adults: Links with depression. Eat Behav. 2012; 13(2):88-93.
10. Rosenbaum DL, White KS. The relation of anxiety, depression, and stress to binge eating behavior. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(6):887-98.
11. Privitera GJ, King-Shepard QW, Cuifolo KN, Doraiswamy PM. Differential food intake and food choice by depression and body mass index levels following a mood manipulation in a buffet-style setting. J Health Psychol. 2019; 24(2):199-208.
12. Torres SJ, Nowson CA. Relationship between stress, eating behavior, and obesity. Nutrition. 2007; 23(11-12):887-94.
13. Cruz-Sáez S, Pascual A, Salaberria K, Echeburúa E. Normal-weight and overweight female adolescents with and without extreme weight-control behaviours: Emotional distress and body image concerns. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(6):730-40.
14. Cruz-Sáez S, Pascual A, Salaberria K, Etxebarria I, Echeburúa E. Risky eating behaviors and beliefs among adolescent girls. J Health Psychol. 2015; 20(2):154-63.
15. Gargari B, Khadem-Haghighian M, Taklifi E, Hamed-Behzad M, Shahraki M. Eating attitudes, self-esteem and social physique anxiety among Iranian females who participate in fitness programs. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010; 50(1):79-84.
16. Garner DM, Garfinkel PE. The Eating Attitudes Test: An index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med. 1979; 9(02):273-9.
17. Azali AK, Azaryan S, Ghorbanzadeh B, Khoshnevis F. Figure rating and body appreciation in sedentary and those women present in sport activities from Tabriz city. Journal of Health Promotion Management. 2016; 5(3):1-14.
18. Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Beck depression inventory. 1996.
19. Soh NL, Touyz SW, Surgenor LJ. Eating and body image disturbances across cultures: A review. European Eating Disorders Review. 2006;14(1):54-65.
20. Yager Z, O’Dea JA. Relationships between body image, nutritional supplement use, and attitudes towards doping in sport among adolescent boys: implications for prevention programs. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014;11(1):13.
21. Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N. Prevalence and correlates of disordered eating in a general population sample: the South East London Community Health (SELCoH) study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2014; 49(8):1335-46.
22. Neumark‐Sztainer D. Can we simultaneously work toward the prevention of obesity and eating disorders in children and adolescents? Int J Eat Disord. 2005;38(3):220-7.
23. Haines J, Neumark-Sztainer D. Prevention of obesity and eating disorders: a consideration of shared risk factors. Health Educ Res. 2006; 21(6):770-82.
24. Lim SA, You S. Effects of Self-Esteem and Depression on Abnormal Eating Behavior among Korean Female College Students: Mediating Role of Body Dissatisfaction. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2017; 26(1):176-82.
25. Di Blasi M, Cavani P, Pavia L, Lo Baido R, La Grutta S, Schimmenti A. The relationship between self‐Image and social anxiety in adolescence. Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2015;20(2):74-80.
26. Holland G, Tiggemann M. A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image. 2016; 17:100-10.
27. Klatzkin RR, Gaffney S, Cyrus K, Bigus E, Brownley KA. Stress-induced eating in women with binge-eating disorder and obesity. Biological Psychology. 2018; 131:96-106.
28. McCreary DR. The Drive for Muscularity Scale: Description, Psychometrics, and Research Findings. American Psychological Association. 2007; 87-106
29. Bell HS, Donovan CL, Ramme R. Is athletic really ideal? An examination of the mediating role of body dissatisfaction in predicting disordered eating and compulsive exercise. Eat Behav. 2016; 21:24-9.
30. Ferreira C, Pinto-Gouveia J, Duarte C. Self-compassion in the face of shame and body image dissatisfaction: Implications for eating disorders. Eat Behav. 2013; 14(2):207-10.
31. Anderson LM, Reilly EE, Gorrell S, Anderson DA. Running to win or to be thin? An evaluation of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among adult runners. Body Image. 2016; 17:43-7.
32. Swami V, Steadman L, Tovee MJ. A comparison of body size ideals, body dissatisfaction, and media influence between female track athletes, martial artists, and non-athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2009; 10(6):609-14.
33. Mantilla EF, Bergsten K, Birgegård A. Self-image and eating disorder symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents. Eat Behav. 2014;15(1):125-31.
34. Striegel-Moore RH, Bulik CM. Risk factors for eating disorders. American Psychologist. 2007;62(3):181.
35. O'Brien KS, Latner JD, Puhl RM, Vartanian LR, Giles C, Griva K, et al. The relationship between weight stigma and eating behavior is explained by weight bias internalization and psychological distress. Appetite. 2016; 102:70-6.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 4, No 3 (Summer 2018) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Eating disorders Eating attitude Weight management Young adults Women’s health Body satisfaction depression | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Asjodi F, Izadi A. Eating Disorders Risk, Depression and Body Dissatisfaction among Iranian Females Participating in Sports. J Nutr Sci & Diet. 2018;4(3):80-86.
