Internalized racism, racial collective self-esteem, and Asian American adults' disordered eating: Psychological distress as mediator.

Research emphasizes the importance of considering how sociocultural factors affect the disordered eating behaviors of Asian American adults. The present study thus investigated how internalized racism and racial collective self-esteem are associated with disordered eating among Asian American adults, as well as the potential mediating role of psychological distress. A final sample of 796 Asian American adults completed a cross-sectional survey that contained the study's questionnaires. Regression analyses revealed that internalized racism was positively associated with disordered eating, whereas racial collective self-esteem was negatively associated with disordered eating among Asian American adults. Psychological distress mediated both of the aforementioned associations. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to be cognizant about how Asian American adult clients' experiences of internalized racism and psychological distress may affect their disordered eating. Researchers and practitioners may also strive to increase racial collective self-esteem among this population. Future researchers may consider building upon these findings by conducting longitudinal research or focusing on specific Asian ethnic groups for further studies about disordered eating among Asian Americans.

Weight stigma is uniquely tied to maladaptive eating across different racial, ethnic, and gender groups.

Weight stigma, racism, and sexism (social devaluation due to body weight, race or ethnicity, and sex or gender), have been linked to increased maladaptive eating behaviors; however, no research has investigated the unique associations between different forms of stigma and eating concurrently. We analyzed within-group (by race/ethnicity and sex) effects of different forms of stigma on maladaptive eating behaviors to test whether there is some unique relationship between weight stigma and maladaptive eating across identities. Additionally, we explored differences by racial/ethnic group and sex, as well as BMI category, in levels of reported weight stigma, racism, sexism, and maladaptive eating. Participants (N = 1051) were recruited so that there were approximately even numbers of participants identifying as Black (33.3%), Hispanic or Latino (32.8%), and White (33.9%). Overall, participants reported similar amounts of weight stigma by race/ethnicity and sex, but different levels of racism and sexism. Weight stigma, but not racism or sexism consistently predicted binge eating and eating to cope across groups, controlling for education, income, BMI, and age. Restricted dieting, however, was only predicted by weight stigma for Hispanic/Latino and Black men. These findings suggest that weight stigma is a unique predictor of maladaptive eating, even when considering the effects of racism and sexism. This study provides evidence of a more focused model of weight stigma and eating outcomes, rather than a more general model of the effect of stigma on eating outcomes due to overall stress. Future research should investigate when and why weight stigma drives restricted dieting, since this relationship seems strongest in men, going against many common inclinations about weight stigma.

Psychometric properties of a Mandarin Chinese version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 among Chinese adolescents.

In the present study, we explored the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Mandarin Chinese BAS-2 among adolescents residing in the Chinese mainland. Exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 (N = 790; 396 girls, 394 boys) supported the unidimensionality of the Mandarin Chinese BAS-2 among Chinese adolescents. Internal consistency reliability was upheld via McDonald's omega. Convergent validity was supported by its moderate-to-strong relationships with body satisfaction, functionality satisfaction, self-esteem, life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect, while its small-to-moderate correlation with social desirability provided somewhat weaker discriminant validity support. Criterion-related validity was upheld by its inverse correlation with eating disorder symptomatology and positive correlation with intuitive eating. It explained unique variance in self-esteem (for girls and boys), eating disorder symptomatology (for girls), and intuitive eating (for boys) beyond age, body satisfaction, and functionality satisfaction, providing incremental validity evidence. A subsample of 134 girls and 114 boys completed the Mandarin Chinese BAS-2 again after three months, and test-retest reliability was upheld. The confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 (N = 337; 192 girls, 145 boys) replicated the unidimensional structure and supported measurement invariance across gender. Collectively, the present study supported the unidimensionality, reliability, and validity of the Mandarin Chinese BAS-2's scores among Chinese adolescents.

Disordered eating and emotional eating in Arab, middle eastern, and north African American women.

Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (A-MENA) American women are often subject to intersectional discrimination, and they have also not been traditionally recognized as a distinct racial group in disordered eating literature. No study to date has provided descriptive information on disordered and emotional eating A-MENA American women, nor has examined perceptions of widely used measurements of eating pathology in this population. The current study generated descriptive information among A-MENA women on two widely used measures of eating pathology, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). Participants (N = 244) were A-MENA adult women were recruited via social media and snowball sampling. Qualitative findings provide potential sociocultural predictors of disordered eating that should be further explored, such as bicultural identity and family pressures/comments toward appearance. Secondly, themes from the EES-R indicate adding emotion of shame and considering identity-related stress. The current study provides prevalence data and future directions of research on widely used eating pathology and appearance attitude measurements for A-MENA American women.

Self-objectification in Chinese pregnant women: The mixed role of functionality appreciation.

Extensions of objectification theory to pregnant women are few and continued research is needed to better understand the psychological consequences of significant changes to physical appearance during pregnancy. Specific interests in this area include functionality appreciation which may be particularly relevant to pregnancy. Research in this area is also lacking representation of non-Western cultural contexts. To this end, we employed an online survey to assess objectification theory and functionality appreciation in Chinese pregnant women (N = 345). Correlations showed that higher body surveillance and body shame were associated with higher disordered eating and psychological distress, and higher functionality appreciation was associated with lower body surveillance, body shame, and disordered eating. Mediation analyses suggested that higher body surveillance was associated with higher body shame which, in turn, was associated with higher disordered eating and psychological distress. Main effects suggested a negative association between functionality appreciation and body shame, but moderation analyses suggested that higher functionality appreciation strengthened the positive association between body surveillance and body shame. Findings underscore objectification theory as a useful framework to understand eating and body image disturbances and psychological distress in Chinese pregnant women and outline future directions to clarify the temporal nature of these associations and the precise role of functionality appreciation.

Integrating context in the examination of pubertal timing effects on disordered eating among Black and Latinx girls.

Earlier pubertal onset has been associated with increased disordered eating symptoms in cisgender girls. Although this finding has been replicated across studies of disordered eating, most studies have focused on white samples. The lack of studies is surprising given that early pubertal timing may impact disordered eating risk in Black and Latinx girls differently due to trends of earlier pubertal onset in these groups and increased stressors related to interpersonal and structural racism and economic marginalization. Current methods of examining pubertal timing among Black and Latinx girls may also not fully capture their experience. Contextual factors (e.g., neighborhood and school racial/ethnic composition) may influence how minoritized girls both perceive and are affected by their pubertal timing. Moreover, factors such as ethnic-racial identity development and experiences of discrimination may be important mechanisms explaining the association between pubertal timing and disordered eating risk. This paper aims to provide a brief overview of studies examining pubertal timing and disordered eating risk among Black and Latinx girls in the US and to discuss recommendations for future research that integrate contextual factors in the examination of pubertal timing and its effects. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Early pubertal timing has been associated with increased risk of disordered eating symptoms among cisgender girls; however, studies have been limited due to the use of predominantly white samples. The article provides a brief overview of findings related to pubertal timing effects among Black and Latinx girls, discusses considerations for the measurement of pubertal timing, and highlights the need for inclusion of contextual factors in future research.

Protocol for a scoping review to identify research reporting on eating disorders in minority ethnic populations in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (EDs) are common, severe and often life-threatening psychiatric conditions. Notwithstanding stereotypes, EDs affect individuals from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, despite similar and in some cases increased prevalence of disordered eating and EDs among minority ethnic groups, there appear to be disparities when it comes to ED diagnosis and treatment. To date, most of the existing literature exploring disordered eating and EDs among minority ethnic groups has been conducted in the USA. The present scoping review aims to examine the extent, range and nature of research activity into disordered eating and EDs in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand providing a comprehensive overview of the existing literature. A special focus will be placed on studies exploring prevalence, access to care and treatment experiences. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review framework first outlined by Arksey and O'Malley and improved on by Levac et al was used to guide the development of this scoping review protocol. A detailed systematic search of relevant databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science) will be conducted. Relevant literature will also be identified from the reference lists of included studies. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full-texts against specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. A third reviewer will resolve disagreements if necessary. Relevant data will be extracted using a data charting form. Quantitative and qualitative summaries of extracted data will be provided. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required for this study. Findings will be of benefit to researchers, clinicians and policy-makers by highlighting areas for future research and identifying ways to making ED treatment more accessible for individuals from all backgrounds. Findings will be disseminated via conferences, presentations and peer-reviewed journals.

Risk behaviors for eating disorder: factors associated in adolescent students / Comportamentos de risco para transtorno alimentar: fatores associados em adolescentes escolares

INTRODUCTION: Evidence shows that the prevalence of risk behaviors for eating disorders (RBED) among young people has increased in recent years. Body dissatisfaction, excessive exercise, body composition, economic status, and ethnicity may be risk factors for RBED. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of body dissatisfaction, psychological commitment to exercise, body fat, nutritional status, economic class, and ethnicity with RBED in adolescents. METHOD: This study included 562 boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years. We used the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) to assess RBED. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Commitment to Exercise Scale (CES) were used to measure body dissatisfaction and commitment to exercise, respectively. Skin fold thickness was measured to classify body fat according to sex. Weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and classify participants according to nutritional status. The economic class was recorded according to the Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion. A questionnaire was used to record ethnicity, age and sex. Binary logistic regression was used to determine associations between variables. RESULTS: The results showed an association of RBED with body dissatisfaction, CES scores, and economic class among girls (p < 0.05). Among boys, body dissatisfaction, body fat, and nutritional status were associated with RBED (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Even though body dissatisfaction had the highest odds ratio, other variables were also associated with RBED (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Evidências demonstram que a prevalência de comportamentos de risco para condutas de alimentação inapropriada (CAI) entre jovens tem aumentado nos últimos anos. Tem sido proposto que a insatisfação corporal, a prática excessiva de exercício físico, a composição corporal, o nível econômico e a origem étnica podem ser fatores de risco para CAI. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação de insatisfação corporal, grau de comprometimento psicológico ao exercício (GCPE), adiposidade corporal, estado nutricional, nível econômico e etnia com CAI em adolescentes. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 562 jovens, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 10 e 15 anos. Utilizou-se o Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) para avaliar CAI. O Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) e a Commitment Exercise Scale (CES) foram utilizadas para mensurar insatisfação corporal e GCPE, respectivamente. Aferiram-se dobras cutâneas para classificar a adiposidade corporal segundo o sexo. Peso e estatura foram aferidos para calcular o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e determinar o estado nutricional. Nível econômico foi avaliado de acordo com o Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil. Aplicou-se questionário para avaliar etnia, idade e sexo. Conduziu-se regressão logística binária para determinar associações entre as variáveis da pesquisa. RESULTADOS: Houve associação de CAI com insatisfação corporal, GCPE e nível econômico no sexo feminino (p < 0,05). Entre os meninos, insatisfação corporal, adiposidade corporal e estado nutricional estiveram associados a CAI (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Embora a insatisfação corporal tenha apresentado os maiores valores de odds ratio, , outras variáveis também estiveram associadas a CAI (AU)

La construcción cultural del cuerpo: el paradigma de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria / The cultural body building: the paradigm of eating disorders

Background: Ideal body image building is based on values, beliefs and aesthetic patterns characteristic of our western society where eating disorders (ED) emerge. Objective: To describe factors related to cultural body building in ED. Method: An exhaustive review of the evidence within specialized national and international literature was made. Results: Western contemporary beauty model promotes a thin body image, synonym of success, attractiveness and intelligence, mainly seen in the upper social class, emphasized by the media, modeling, publicity and the narcissistic cult of the body, predisposing to ED. Individual factors also contributes to the cultural body building like gender differences (95 percent of ED cases are females), the predominant identification with the feminine gender role stereotype, the higher prevalence in white ethnic groups, the relevant influence of the family and friends concerning weight, silhouette and food, criticism and bullying from the significant others, the social reinforcement with respect to biological and/or emotional changes in adolescence, perfectionism traits and affiliation to "pro-ana" and "pro-mia" web sites. Conclusions: The internalization of socioculturalpressures generates negative and distorted consequences in feminine bodies, especially in adolescents and young adult females in risk to develop ED. Primary prevention and psychoeducative strategies are necessary to manage the media messages focused on body perfection in a healthier style.

Antecedentes: La construcción de la imagen corporal ideal se basa en valores, creencias y patrones estéticos característicos de nuestra sociedad occidental, en cuyo contexto emergen los trastornos alimentarios (TCA). Objetivo: Describir los factores que contribuyen a la construcción cultural del cuerpo en los TCA. Método: Se efectuó una revisión exhaustiva de la evidencia en la literatura especializada nacional e internacional. Resultados: El modelo de belleza occidental contemporáneo promueve una silueta corporal delgada, sinónimo de éxito, atractivo e inteligencia, observada principalmente en la clase social alta, enfatizada por el modelaje, los medios de comunicación, la publicidad y el culto narcisista al cuerpo, predisponiendo al desarrollo de los TCA. También contribuyen a la construcción cultural del cuerpo, factores individuales, tales como las diferencias genéricas (95 por ciento de los casos de TCA afectan a mujeres), la identificación predominante con el estereotipo de rol de género femenino, la mayor prevalencia en la raza blanca, la relevante influencia de la familia y las amistades sobre el peso, silueta y alimentos, las críticas y/o burlas de los otros significativos, el reforzamiento social respecto a los cambios biológicos y emocionales de la adolescencia, los rasgos perfeccionistas y la filiación a los sitios web "pro-ana" y "pro-mia". Conclusiones: La internalización de las presiones socioculturales genera consecuencias negativas y distorsionadas en los cuerpos femeninos, especialmente en mujeres adolescentes y adultas jóvenes en riesgo para desarrollar TCA. Son necesarias las estrategias de prevención primaria y psicoeducación para manejar en un estilo más sano los mensajes mediáticos enfocados en la perfección corporal.

Body image perception and the risk of unhealthy behaviours among University students / La percepción de la Imagen corporal y el riesgo de conductas malsanas entre los estudiantes Universitarios

BACKGROUND: In this study, we sought to determine whether dissatisfaction with one's body was associated with unhealthy behaviours among University students. SUBJECTIS AND MEHOTDS: A cross-section of 383 male and female students recruited from the general University population completed a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic items, Eating Attitudes Test (EATS-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16), Body Silhouette Chart, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D). RESULTS: Overall, 4.2% of participants reported to have been diagnosed with an eating problem. Females had significantly higher EATS-26, BSQ-16 and RSE scores than males. They were significantly more likely than males to choose silhouettes that were underweight to represent their current or desired body sizes and to engage in dieting behaviours. Additionally, persons who reported being diagnosed with an eating disorder were significantly more likely than those not diagnosed to report binging, bulimic and other eating-related behaviours (p < 0.01). For both males and females, perceived body image was significantly and positively associated with BSQ-16, EATS-26, and CES-D and inversely associated with RSE scores. Females of African-descent were significantly more likely than those of East Indian descent and other ethnic groups to report higher weights and to select larger silhouettes to represent their current body figure. CONCLUSIONS: Among participants, body dissatisfaction was associated with increased risk for depression, lower self-esteem, disordered eating and other weight related behaviours.

ANTECEDENTES: En este estudio, buscamos determinar si la insatisfacción con el propio cuerpo se hallaba asociada con conductas malsanas entre los estudiantes universitarios. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Una sección transversal de 383 estudiantes - hembras y varones - reclutados de la población universitaria general, respondieron un cuestionario sobre información socio-demográfica, el Test de Actitudes hacia la Comida (EATS-26), el Cuestionario sobre la Forma Corporal (BSQ-16), la Gráfica de Silueta Corporal, la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (RSE), y la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CES-D). RESULTADOS: En general, 4.2% de los participantes reportó que se le habían diagnosticado algún problema de hábito de ingestión. Las mujeres tenían puntuaciones de EATS-26, BSQ-16 y RSE significativamente más altas que los hombres. Asimismo presentaban una tendencia significativamente mayor que los hombres, a escoger figuras corporales de bajo peso, a la hora de representar las dimensiones corporales que tenían o deseaban, o establecer comportamientos dietéticos. Además, las personas que reportaron haber sido diagnosticadas con algún trastorno alimentario, presentaron una tendencia significativamente mayor que las no diagnosticadas de ese modo, a reportar hiperfagia, bulimia y otros comportamientos relacionados con la ingestión (p < 0.01). Tanto para los hombres como para las mujeres, la percepción de la imagen corporal estuvo significativamente y positivamente asociada con las puntuaciones de BSQ-16, EATS-26, y CES-D e inversamente asociada con las puntuaciones del RSE. Las mujeres de ascendencia africana presentaron una tendencia significativamente más alta que las de ascendencia indoriental y otras razas, a reportar pesos más altos y a elegir siluetas más grandes a la hora de presentar su figura corporal actual. CONCLUSIONES: Entre los participantes, la insatisfacción corporal estuvo asociada con el aumento del riesgo de depresión, baja autoestima, trastornos alimentarios y otras conductas relaciones con el peso.

Eating attitudes and body image in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent girls in the city of São Paulo, Brazil / Atitudes alimentares e imagem corporal em meninas adolescentes de ascendência nipônica e caucasiana em São Paulo (SP)

OBJETIVO: Há muita controvérsia nos estudos que analisam a relação entre etnia e transtornos alimentares a despeito do rápido aumento desses distúrbios em diversos grupos étnicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar as atitudes alimentares em adolescentes de ascendência nipônica e caucasiana no Brasil. A influência do índice de massa corporal (IMC), da menarca e das relações socioafetivas no desenvolvimento dos transtornos alimentares também foi discutida. MÉTODOS: Questionários sobre atitudes alimentares e influências socioafetivas foram aplicados a 544 adolescentes de origem nipo-brasileira e caucasiana: adolescentes pré-menarca de 10 e 11 anos nipo-brasileiras (n = 122) e caucasianas (n = 176) e adolescentes pós-menarca de 16 e 17 anos nipo-brasileiras (n = 71) e caucasianas (n = 175). RESULTADOS: Adolescentes caucasianas apresentaram maiores escores no Teste de Atitudes Alimentares (EAT-26), mostraram maior insatisfação com suas imagens corporais, faziam mais dieta e tinham mais modelos de dietas representados pelas mães e pares do que as adolescentes nipo-brasileiras. CONCLUSÃO: As adolescentes caucasianas, de um modo geral, parecem sentir mais as pressões culturais e estéticas sobre a imagem corporal do que as nipônicas. A frequência alta de meninas caucasianas pré-menarca com escore acima de 20 no EAT-26 mostra que a preocupação com a imagem corporal vem ocorrendo cada vez mais cedo. A análise de regressão múltipla revelou muitas associações entre a interação das adolescentes com suas mães e o desenvolvimento de atitudes alimentares inadequadas.

OBJECTIVE: Despite investigations into the rapid increase in eating disorders across diverse ethnic groups, conclusions concerning ethnicity and eating disorders are contradictory. The objective of the present study was to investigate eating attitudes in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescents in Brazil. The influence of body mass index (BMI), menarche and social-affective relationships on the development of eating disorders was also assessed. METHODS: Questionnaires evaluating the incidence of eating disorders and the influence of social-affective relationships were applied to 544 Japanese-Brazilian and Caucasian adolescent girls: 10 to 11-year-old Japanese-Brazilian (n = 122) and Caucasian (n = 176) pre-menarcheal adolescents, and 16 to 17-year-old Japanese-Brazilian (n = 71) and Caucasian (n = 175) post-menarcheal adolescents. RESULTS: Caucasian girls obtained higher scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), showed greater body image dissatisfaction, dieted more often and had more diet models introduced by their mothers and peers than the Japanese-Brazilian girls. CONCLUSION: The Caucasian adolescents overall appeared to be more sensitive to aesthetic and social pressures regarding body image than the Japanese adolescents. The high incidence of EAT-26 scores above 20 in the Caucasian pre-menarcheal group indicates that individual body image concerns are developing at an earlier age. Multiple logistic regression revealed several associations between mother-teen interactions and the development of abnormal eating attitudes.

Fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares em universitárias do curso de nutrição da Unijuí, Ijuí,RS / Predictive factors for eating disorders in the course of university nutrition at Unijuí, Ijuí, RS / Los factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios en el curso de nutrición universitaria en Unijuí, Ijuí, RS

Introdução: Os transtornos alimentares são definidos como desvios do comportamento alimentar que podem levar à caquexia ou à obesidade, entre outros problemas físicos e incapacidades sócio-ocupacionais. Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de fatores preditivos de transtornos alimentares em estudantes de nutrição da Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul- UNIJUI. Método: Foi aplicado o questionário Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), instrumento que contém 26 perguntas sobre o comportamento alimentar e imagem corporal, podendo variar de 0 a 78 pontos, sendo que foi considerado risco para transtorno um somatório > a 20. Dados como massa corporal e estatura foram auto-referidos. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 116 universitárias, destas 18,1% consideradas EAT (+) e 81,9% EAT(-), na faixa etária entre 20 e 30 anos, com renda entre 3 a 4,9 salários mínimos. A massa corporal nas EAT(+) variou de 44 a 80kg e nas EAT9-) variou de 43 a 82kg. Tanto EAT(+) quanto EAT(-) encontram-se em eutrofia, sendo 81% e 82,1%, respectivamente. Os principais fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares citados pelo maior número de estudantes com EAT(+) foram: preocupação com a gordura corporal (100%), pavor com o excesso de peso (90,5%), conhecimento sobre o número de calorias dos alimentos que comem (85,7%), preocupação com o desejo de ser mais magra (80,9%). Conclusão: Conclui-se que há um valor expressivo de estudantes de nutrição com fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares.

Introduction: Eating disorders are defined as deviations in eating behavior that can lead to cachexia or obesity, among other physical and socio-occupational disabilities. Objective: To evaluate the presence of factors predictive of eating disorders in students of nutrition at the University of the West Regional of Rio Grande do Sul-UNIJUÍ. Method: We used the questionnaire Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), an instrument that contains 26 questions on eating behavior and body image, ranging from 0 to 78 points, and was considered a risk for disorder sum> 20. Data such as body mass and height were self-referred. Results: Participants were 116 university students, 18.1% of these considered EAT (+) and 81.9% TSS (-), aged between 20 and 30 years, with income between 3 to 4.9 minimum wages. Body mass in EAT (+) ranged from 44 to 80kg and the EAT9-) ranged from 43 to 82kg. Both EAT (+) and EAT (-) are eutrophic, 81% and 82.1%, respectively. The main predictive factors for eating disorders cited by the largest number of students with EAT (+) were concerned with body fat (100%), with fear being overweight (90.5%), knowledge about the number of calories from eat foods (85.7%), concern the desire to be thinner (80.9%). Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant value for students of nutrition with predictive factors for eating disorders.

Introducción: Los trastornos alimentarios se definen como las desviaciones en la conducta alimentaria que puede conducir a la caquexia o la obesidad, entre otras discapacidades físicas y socio-laborales. Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios en estudiantes de nutrición de la Universidad de la Regional Oeste de Río Grande do Sul-UNIJUÍ. Método: Se utilizó el cuestionario de Actitudes Comer prueba (EAT), un instrumento que contiene 26 preguntas sobre la conducta alimentaria y la imagen corporal, que van de 0 a 78 puntos, y fue considerado un riesgo para el trastorno de suma> 20. Datos como la masa corporal y la altura se auto-referencia. Resultados: Los participantes fueron 116 estudiantes universitarios, el 18,1% de estos considera EAT (+) y TSS 81,9% (-), con edades comprendidas entre 20 y 30 años, con ingresos entre 3 a 4.9 salarios mínimos. De masa corporal en el EAT (+) es de 44 a 80 kg y el EAT9) varió de 43 a 82kg. Ambos EAT (+) y EAT (-) son eutróficos%, el 81 y el 82,1%, respectivamente. Los principales factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios citados por el mayor número de estudiantes con EAT (+) se refiere a la grasa corporal (100%), con el miedo el exceso de peso (90,5%), el conocimiento sobre el número de calorías de comer alimentos (85,7%), la preocupación del deseo de ser delgado (80,9%). Conclusión: Se concluye que existe un valor significativo para los estudiantes de la nutrición con los factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios.

Anorexia em comunidades virtuais: práticas e visões culturais do corpo / Anorexia in virtual communities: practices and cultural views of the body

O presente estudo investigou as práticas alimentares, os comportamentos e os valores das integrantes de comunidades virtuais pró-anorexia. Foram analisadas duas comunidades virtuais pró-anorexia, acessadas através das seguintes palavras-chaves: “perfeição/esforço” e “anorexic”. O critério de escolha utilizado foi identificar aquela que possuía o maior número de membros. As comunidades selecionadas para o estudoatravés das palavras-chaves descritas acima possuíam, respectivamente, um total de 1.616 e 1.480 membros. A comunidade com 1616 usuários foi denominada de “Comunidade OP”. Nessa comunidade foi utilizada a metodologia de “observação passiva”, onde a pesquisadora não se identificou e não interagiu com os membros dacomunidade, somente observou. Na comunidade com 1480 integrantes foi adotada a metodologia de “observação participante protegida”, onde a pesquisadora interagiu com as demais participantes da Comunidade Virtual através de uma Identidade VirtualAnônima. Essa comunidade foi denominada neste trabalho de “Comunidade OPP”. Asobservações foram realizadas entre de Janeiro a Março de 2009. O consentimento informado não foi necessário visto que as comunidades são de domínio público e foipreservado o anonimato das participantes. O estudo verificou que as pró-anoréxicas selecionadas para análise foram, principalmente, participantes do sexo feminino comidades que variam de 13 a 24 anos e o Índice de Massa Corporal de 59,7% dasparticipantes estava classificado de acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde na faixa de normalidade. Esse resultado se mostrou contrário ao que as ‘pró-anas’ defendem que é atingir o menor peso possível e ter um corpo magro...

Genetics in eating disorders: extending the boundaries of research / Genética em transtornos alimentares: ampliando os horizontes de pesquisa

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent literature relevant to genetic research in eating disorders and to discuss unique issues which are crucial for the development of a genetic research project in eating disorders in Brazil. METHOD: A computer literature review was conducted in the Medline database between 1984 and may 2005 with the search terms "eating disorders", "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "binge eating disorder", "family", "twin" and "molecular genetic" studies. RESULTS: Current research findings suggest a substantial influence of genetic factors on the liability to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Genetic research with admixed populations should take into consideration sample size, density of genotyping and population stratification. Through admixture mapping it is possible to study the genetic structure of admixed human populations to localize genes that underlie ethnic variation in diseases or traits of interest. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a major collaborative genetics initiative of eating disorders in Brazil and South America would represent a realistic possibility of studying the genetics of eating disorders in the context of inter ethnic groups, and also integrate a new perspective on the biological etiology of eating disorders.

OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura atual concernente à pesquisa genética em transtornos do comportamento alimentar e discutir questões relevantes ao desenvolvimento de um projeto de pesquisa genética nessa área no Brasil. MÉTODO: A revisão realizada utilizou a base de dados Medline, no período de 1984 a maio de 2005, com os seguintes termos de busca: "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "eating disorders", "binge eating disorder", "family studies", "twin studies", "molecular genetics studies". RESULTADOS: Os dados atuais apontam para uma contribuição relevante dos fatores genéticos na suscetibilidade à anorexia e à bulimia nervosa. A pesquisa genética com populações miscigenadas deve levar em consideração o tamanho da amostra, a densidade de genotipagem e a estratificação populacional. Através de "admixture mapping" é possível estimar a estrutura genética destas populações e localizar genes relacionados à variação étnica de doenças ou traços de interesse. CONCLUSÕES: O desenvolvimento de uma grande iniciativa de colaboração em genética de transtornos alimentares no Brasil e na América Latina viabilizará estudar os fatores genéticos em transtornos do comportamento alimentar no contexto de grupos inter-étnicos, e integrar uma nova perspectiva biológica à etiologia destes distúrbios.