Introduction
Restrained, emotional and intuitive eating were examined in relation to each other and as correlates of participants’ weight status, body image and self‐esteem. In some past research, ...restrained and emotional eating have been associated with higher weight status and poorer mental health, while intuitive eating is more frequently linked to lower weight status and more positive well‐being. However, these eating styles have rarely been examined together and never in a large cross‐country sample.
Method
Six‐thousand two‐hundred and seventy‐two (6272) emerging adults (M age = 21.54 years, SD = 3.13) completed scales from the Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, the Intuitive Eating Scale‐2, the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, and provided weight and height information that was used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants resided in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States and provided information using an online survey.
Results
Path analyses for the entire sample revealed significant pathways between higher intuitive eating and higher body satisfaction and self‐esteem, and lower BMIs among participants. Higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were associated with lower body satisfaction and self‐esteem, and higher BMIs among participants. Minor cross‐country differences were evident in these patterns of relations, but intuitive eating emerged as a consistent predictor across countries.
Conclusion
Overall, findings suggest that efforts should be made to increase intuitive eating among emerging adults and to support individual and macrolevel interventions to decrease restrained and emotional eating behaviours.
Body-related teasing is known to be linked to body dissatisfaction and dieting behavior in adolescents. However, little is known about it in non-Western countries. This study aims to examine the ...prevalence of body-related teasing among Japanese adolescents and its connection to weight status, body image, and dieting behavior to consider implications for public health.
The design of this study is a cross-sectional study. An anonymous self-administrated survey was conducted with 1172 junior high school students in Higashi-Osaka City in Osaka Prefecture in Japan. The sampling method was non-random design. The survey items included self-reported height and weight, history and source of teasing, body image perception, and dieting behavior. A chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the associations.
A history of teasing was reported by 16.4% of boys and 32.5% of girls (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.19). The most common answer for source of teasing was friends (84.7% of boys' teasing, 67.1% of girls' teasing, P = 0.003, effect size = 0.19). Students who were overweight, of an upper-normal weight status, and perceived themselves as "fat" were at a greater risk of being teased. Additionally, students with a history of teasing were significantly likelier to display dieting behavior (odds ratios with confidence intervals: boys 4.06 2.08-7.93, girls 2.40 1.53- 3.75).
Body-related teasing has a significant association with body image and dieting behavior in Japanese adolescents. A school-based education should be provided to reduce body-related teasing.
•This paper examines four measures related to positive body image across eight countries.•The measurement invariance of the BAS-2, BASS, PACS, and WBIS-M was examined.•In general, findings suggest ...the utility of these measures across countries.•Measures were more likely to vary as a function of differences in BMI and gender.
Positive body image refers to individuals’ ability to conceptualize their bodies with love, respect, and appreciation. The study of positive body image is relatively new, and instruments used to investigate this multi-faceted construct have received limited use in non-English speaking countries. Thus, the aim of this investigation is to consider four measures that are associated with positive body image across eight different countries. Participants (n = 6272) completed the Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale, the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale, and the Weight Bias Internalization Scale. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (MG-CFAs) and item-response theory (IRT) models were used to examine the measurement invariance of these surveys. Our results generally suggest that positive body image, weight bias, and appearance comparison can be assessed using brief assessments and that these four instruments can be used in different countries, but care should be taken to consider individuals’ gender, BMI, and socio-economic position.
This study examined the measurement invariance of three scales that assessed emotional eating, restrained eating, and intuitive eating across eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, ...Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States) in order to determine their suitability for cross-country body image research. A total of 6272 young adults took part in this study. Participants completed an online survey including the Emotional Eating subscale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 21, the Restraint subscale of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, and the Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues subscale of The Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate potential cross-country differences in functioning of the measures. Partial invariance for all three scales was found, with only minor levels of non-invariance identified. Multiple indicator multiple cause models identified BMI and gender as potential influences on scores for these measures. Sources of invariance across groups are discussed, as well as implications for further substantive research across countries involving these measures.
Although a range of risk factors have been identified for disordered eating and weight status, the breadth of risk factors have been rarely considered within a single, comprehensive model. The ...robustness of these findings across countries also remains an open question. The present study sampled 6272 participants aged 18–30 years from eight countries in an attempt to evaluate combined and unique predictors for these two conditions, and to explore possible cross-country differences in these models. Participants completed a range of demographic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and sociocultural measures to test a comprehensive model of the contributions of these predictors for disordered eating and weight-related constructs (binge eating, body mass index, compensatory behaviors, dietary restraint, drive for muscularity, and drive for leanness). Structural invariance testing within a multigroup path analysis framework revealed that a single model across the eight countries provided poor model fit. Freeing of 22% of parameters across countries provided excellent fit and a satisfactory compromise for country-invariant and country-variant parameters in the model. Overall, predictors accounted for between 15% and 60% of variance in the outcome measures, with lowest explained variance for the disordered eating outcomes. Significant unique contributions to prediction were observed for each of the five risk factor variable types and across the eight countries. Thus, the findings show strong support for this model as an explanatory framework of both disordered eating and weight status.
•Tested a biopsychosocial model predicting weight, body image and disordered eating outcomes.•Most model parameters (78%) functioned equivalently across eight countries tested.•Significant demographic, biological, behavioral, psychological and sociocultural predictors were found.•Variance explained ranged from 15% to 60%, with lower explanatory power for disordered eating.
•Two measures of sociocultural influence and internalization of the thin/low body fat and muscular ideal were examined across eight countries.•Support for partial invariance was found across the ...scales.•Group-level differences emerged across countries and demographic group.•Measures sociocultural influence and appearance ideals (thin/low body fat and muscular) were examined across eight countries.
The aim of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of two well-established measures of sociocultural influence and internalization of the thin/low body fat ideal and muscular ideal. Data from 6272 emerging adults (68.9 % female), aged 18–30 years from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S. were included in this study. Participants completed measures of pressure from mother, fathers, peers, and media, to both increase muscles and lose weight, as well as internalization of the thin/low body fat ideal and muscular ideal. Overall, support for partial invariance was found across the scales. In addition, group level differences were found between countries as well as along demographic factors including gender, age, body mass index, and socioeconomic status. These findings make an important contribution by identifying these scales as useful tools that will support future cross-country and cross-cultural examinations of explanatory models of the development of body image and eating concerns grounded within sociocultural theories.
What is already known about this topic:
The literature has already identified various aspects of the biopsychosocial model that predicts disordered eating and higher weight.
These studies have ...primarily focused on disordered eating in cross-sectional studies among adolescents.
Obesity and disordered eating have been shown to be related
What this topic adds:
The study identified the biopsychosocial factors that predict higher BMI and disordered eating among young adults over a 12-month period.
The study examined all components of the biopsychosocial model in the one study.
The study was conducted across seven countries and identified how these relationships vary from one country to another.
This study examined the utility of a biopsychosocial model to explain both higher body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating. The study was designed to examine the predictors of higher BMI and a number of measures of disordered eating (dietary restraint, drive for muscularity, drive for thinness, binge eating, and compensatory behaviour).
Young adults (N = 838) recruited from seven countries, grouped into four regions (Europe, North American countries, Australia, Japan), completed an online survey, with each completion being 12 months apart. The survey included assessments of BMI and disordered eating, and a range of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors expected to predict both outcomes.
Results revealed unique patterns of association between predictors and BMI as well as different measures of disordered eating in the four geographical regions.
The findings identify the specific nature of biopsychosocial factors that predict both higher BMI and different aspects of disordered eating. They also demonstrate that caution needs to be exercised in generalising findings from one country to other countries.
•Across eight countries, five measures of body image and shape attitudes and behaviors demonstrated partial invariance.•There were gender and BMI differences across these measures.•There were some ...differences in scores on the scales across counties, particularly those scales related to drive for leanness and strategies to lose weight.
The aim of this study was to examine the cross-country invariance of five well-established measures of body weight and shape concern-related attitudes and behaviors (i.e., drive for leanness, drive for muscularity, strategies to increase muscle, strategies to lose weight, and weight and shape concerns). A secondary objective was to examine the effects of several sociodemographic factors (age, BMI, socioeconomic status, and gender) on item and latent factor scores of these constructs. A total of 6272 emerging adults (4218 women; Mage = 21.46, SD = 3.11) from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S. completed a self-report online survey as part of a larger study. Overall, support for partial invariance both across countries and in terms of the considered sociodemographic factors was found for reduced versions of the five measures. Significant differences in latent means were found across countries, these being of greater magnitude for drive for leanness and strategies to lose weight. The considered sociodemographic factors (most notably BMI and gender) were associated with the latent mean scores of the assessed constructs. The present study contributes to current literature by providing cross-cultural invariant versions of several measures of relevance in the field of body image.
•Psychometric properties of measures of selected personality factors were compared across eight countries.•The measurement invariance of the MPS, UPPS-P, 5-item RSES and SIAS-6 was ...investigated.•Findings suggest that these measures demonstrate limited validity for use across different cultures.
This study assessed the measurement invariance of selected self-report measures of perfectionism, impulsivity, self-esteem and social anxiety in samples of emerging adults from eight different countries. Participants (N = 6272) completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the 5-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (5-item RSES) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was run to examine cross-measure equivalence. Evidence for structural invariance was found for all questionnaires, while weak invariance was supported only for the 5-item RSES and the SIAS-6, and a partial weak invariance was found for the MPS and the UPPS-P. No measure achieved strong invariance. Strict invariance was achieved for the 5-item RSES, whereas only a partial strict invariance was supported for the MPS, UPPS-P and SIAS-6. These results suggest that perfectionism, impulsivity, self-esteem, and social anxiety are subjected to linguistic/cultural influence as well as to the effects of socio-demographic variables and can be evaluated by using the selected measures in eight different countries worldwide - but results should be interpreted with caution.
•We introduce a conceptual model of risk factors for eating disorders and higher weight among adults.•Our proposal will examine the utility of this model across gender and nine countries.•The ...proposed research design will test the nature of the model relationships longitudinally.
Research has demonstrated that eating disorders (ED) and higher weight have lifetime co-occurrence suggesting that they may be best considered within a common etiological model. Although we know that body dissatisfaction is likely to be a risk factor for both outcomes, other proposed risk and protective factors for each condition have not been adequately explored. The current paper tests a conceptual model that is based on a review of the existing literature from both areas of scholarship. It considers biological, sociocultural, psychological, and behavioral factors that may contribute to both outcomes. The model will be tested in a longitudinal design with an initial sample of 600 emerging adults (aged 18–30) per country in nine different countries (total sample = 5400 participants). Questionnaires will be completed online on two occasions, 12 months apart. The first full phase of the study commenced in July 2018, the same time Body Image was approached to publish this protocol paper (the final revised paper was submitted in September 2019), and data collection will be finalized in December 2019. Multi-group path analysis will identify the biopsychosocial predictors – both cross-sectionally and longitudinally – of both ED and higher weight, and how these vary across countries and gender.
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