Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Behaviors

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 9641

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, 44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: body image concerns; positive body image; eating attitudes and behaviors; health-related lifestyles and quality of life in adolescents and youth

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Guest Editor
Department of Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas 44221, Lithuania
Interests: body image; physical activity; body appreciation; body functionality; mindfulness; positive embodiment; dysfunctional eating and exercise; mindfulness-based physical activity; social media use; media pressures; internalization of stereotyped beauty ideals; adolescents; students; adults; prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Body image is acknowledged as an important public health issue. Massive evidence suggests that various aspects of body image are associated with physical, mental, and social health. Body dissatisfaction is a central part of negative body image represents negative perception and attitudes towards own appearance and related emotions (depressed feelings, social isolation, body shame, etc.) and behavior (dysfunctional eating, dysfunctional exercising). Findings of longitudinal studies suggest that disordered eating might lead to eating disorders and obesity. Sociocultural theories suggest mechanisms through which the development of negative body image is explained. Pressures from family, peers, significant others, and media are associated with the development of body dissatisfaction through mediators such as comparison of own appearance with others and internalization of stereotyped thin and muscular ideals. The conception of positive body image states that physical appearance is not the only aspect of body image. Positive embodiment (how a person uses their body to engage with the world), body appreciation (accepting, holding favorable opinions toward, respecting own body, effectively resisting the sociocultural pressures to internalize the stereotyped beauty standards), and body functionality are important assets of positive body image. While the role of negative body image in psychological well-being is well studied worldwide, less is known about the role of positive body image in enhancing public health. The roles of mindfulness-based eating and exercise, nature exposure-based physical activity in the development of positive body image is understudied. The promotion of positive body image is of great interest for global science and professionals. We invite contributions from researchers worldwide from various disciplines including psychological, educational, behavioral, public health sciences. The Special Issue “Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Behaviors” aims to collect articles from different cultures and interdisciplinary perspectives. Original research papers, experimental, longitudinal studies and systematic reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Migle Baceviciene
Prof. Dr. Rasa Jankauskiene
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • body image
  • body appreciation
  • mindfulness
  • positive embodiment
  • disordered eating behaviors
  • nutrition habits
  • eating attitudes
  • intuitive eating
  • mindfulness-based physical activity
  • quality of life
  • physical activity
  • social media
  • media pressures
  • internalization of stereotyped beauty ideals
  • adolescents
  • students
  • adults
  • elderly people

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3855 KiB  
Article
Influences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Intuitive Exercise and Physical Activity among College Students
by Alyssa L. Yon, Justine J. Reel, Lenis P. Chen-Edinboro, Melannie R. Pate, Jessica C. Reich, Linden A. Hillhouse and Rachel Kantor
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12030072 - 9 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3919
Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the health behaviors of people around the world, including their physical activity patterns. Intuitive exercise, a facet of one’s relationship with physical activity, is defined as one’s awareness, mindset (positive versus negative), and mindfulness [...] Read more.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the health behaviors of people around the world, including their physical activity patterns. Intuitive exercise, a facet of one’s relationship with physical activity, is defined as one’s awareness, mindset (positive versus negative), and mindfulness when engaged in movement. The study’s purpose was to explore whether self-reported physical activity and psychological mindsets around exercise changed during the pandemic. College students (n = 216) described their relationship with exercise before and during the pandemic through anonymous completion of the Intuitive Exercise Scale (IEXS) and open-ended questions to provide in-depth contextualized responses about exercise habits. Participants reported significantly higher scores on intuitive exercise during the pandemic, such as on the Body Trust subscale (M = 3.43), compared to pre-pandemic levels (M = 3.20), p < 0.001. Moreover, varied themes related to physical activity were uncovered such as exercising for fun, exercise influenced by emotion, and loss of motivation to exercise. Important takeaways of the study include the diversity of responses to the pandemic (i.e., some participants reported an increase in physical activity levels and more positive exercise attitudes while others experienced the opposite), the need to promote self-care, and the need for positive coping strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Behaviors)
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8 pages, 926 KiB  
Article
Eating Disorders and Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents with Major Depression: Insights from the US Hospitals
by Rikinkumar S. Patel, Tanya Machado and William E. Tankersley
Behav. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11050078 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4400
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the odds of association between suicidal ideation and/or attempt with comorbid eating disorders in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and included 122,020 adolescents with a primary diagnosis of MDD from the nationwide inpatient [...] Read more.
Objective: To evaluate the odds of association between suicidal ideation and/or attempt with comorbid eating disorders in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and included 122,020 adolescents with a primary diagnosis of MDD from the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS, 2012–2014). They were sub-grouped by a comorbid diagnosis of eating disorders (N = 1675). We calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) using a logistic regression model with demographic confounders for associations of eating disorders with suicidal ideation and attempt. Results: Suicidal ideations were seen in a higher proportion of adolescents with eating disorders (46.3% vs. 14.2% in those without eating disorders). On the contrary, a low proportion of adolescents with eating disorders had suicidal attempts (0.9% vs. 39.4% in those without eating disorders). Overall, eating disorders were associated with higher odds for suicidal ideations (aOR 5.36, 95% CI 4.82–5.97) compared to those without eating disorders, but with lower odds of suicidal attempt (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.03). Conclusions: Adolescents with MDD and comorbid eating disorders had five-times increased odds of suicidal ideations but lower odds of a suicide attempt. Self-harm/injurious behaviors are early signs of suicidal ideations in these patients. A collaborative care model is required for the screening, early diagnosis, and management of adolescents with eating disorders to improve their quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Behaviors)
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