Higher orthorexia tendency among female fashion models: an empirical international study.

PURPOSE: Female fashion models are more at risk for developing eating disorders than non-models due to the intense occupational pressure they face. The present study focuses on assessing whether female models are more prone to report orthorexia nervosa signs and symptoms than non-models. METHODS: Female fashion models (n = 179, mean age: 25.9 SD = 4.40 years) and an age adjusted control group (n = 261, mean age: 25.0 SD = 4.97 years) were selected by snowball sampling. Participants filled out an online survey containing anthropometric questions and the 18-item Eating Habits Questionnaire. RESULTS: According to BMI, fashion models were underweight (mean BMI = 18.1 SD = 1.68) while control participants' BMI was in the normal range (mean = 22.1 SD = 4.23, p < 0.001). On all three of Eating Habits Questionnaire subscales fashion models showed significantly higher average value (Knowledge subscale: M = 2.42 among models versus M = 2.08 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.52; Problems subscale: M = 1.93 among models versus M = 2.61 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.49; Feelings subscale: M = 3.20 among models versus M = 2.96 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.38). Orthorexic tendencies were reported by 35.1% of the models versus 20.2% of controls. CONCLUSION: Fashion models are at risk for the development of eating disorders. Even though not yet included in the DSM-5, the assessment of orthorexia nervosa among fashion models seems to be important. It is suggested to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of disordered eating habits among models as they can lead to the development of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, well-designed cohort study.

[The role of dietitians in the care of patients with eating disorder].

Dietitians play an important role in the care of patients with eating disorders. However, the precise conditions are not yet defined. This limits the clarity of the role of the dietitian within the dietetic profession as well as in a broader sense among the health care providers. In Hungary, there is no comprehensive guideline on it yet, so the aim of the present paper is to clarify the role, tasks, and competence boundaries of the dietitians. First, we provide guidance for the recognition of eating disorders by overviewing the symptoms, the diagnostic criteria, and the most important aspects of biopsychosocial assessment. Second, we take stock of the tasks of the dietitian, as a member of the therapeutic team in the treatment of eating disorders in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Frequency of disordered eating habits among fashion models.

OBJECTIVE: Sociocultural influences, including an increasing pressure for fashion models to maintain a thin body frame may be crucial in the development of eating disorders. The present study aimed to establish whether fashion models are more likely than non-models to develop eating disorders. METHODS: Female fashion models were selected by snowball sampling (n = 179, mean age: 25.9 SD = 4.70 years). They were compared with an age adjusted control group (n = 261, mean age: 25.0 SD = 4.97 years). Participants completed an online questionnaire containing the Eating Disorder Inventory. RESULTS: The average BMI of the fashion models was in the underweight range (mean BMI = 18.1 SD = 1.68). The BMI of the control group was significantly higher (mean = 22.1 SD = 4.23, p < 0.001). The frequency of simulated anorexia nervosa was 3.9% among the fashion models and 1.1% in the control group (p = 0.057). 14.6% of the models showed subclinical anorexia nervosa symptoms versus 2.7% in the control group (p < 0.001). The ratio of bulimia nervosa and subclinical bulimia nervosa showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Female fashion models showed no significant difference from the control group in the frequency of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa but had a significantly higher frequency of the subclinical form of anorexia nervosa.

The applicability of the Eating Disorder Inventory in pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was validating Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) among pregnant women, who are vulnerable to eating disorders (EDs). METHODS: In 2012-2013, 1146 women (aged 18-47 years) completed a questionnaire including EDI during the first 3 days after delivery. We checked factorial validity of three diagnostic subscales of EDI with confirmative factor analysis and internal validity by Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation. We also tested discriminative validity by comparing average of the three subscale of EDI in case of ED and non-ED groups. RESULTS: When applying the EDI to pregnant women, it seems necessary to exclude five items on three diagnostic subscales: on the Drive for Thinness subscale, 4 items remain (out of 7); on the Bulimia subscale, 6 items remain (out of 7); the Body Dissatisfaction subscale decreases from 9 to 8 items. Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation values meet the requirements defined by Garner et al. The internal consistency of the EDI has proved to be appropriate, indicating that it is a reliable screening tool. CONCLUSIONS: Thinking, attitudes, and behaviors connected to eating, along with the relation to altering body weight change during pregnancy. Vomiting usually accompanies pregnancy; body weight gain within wide limits is also regarded as normal during pregnancy. These behaviors and changes are not feasible to use for measuring ED symptoms. These aspects cannot be neglected when screening eating disorders in pregnant women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without an intervention.

Low self-esteem predicts orthorexia nervosa, mediated by spiritual attitudes among frequent exercisers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure how orthorexic tendencies relate to age, self-esteem, and spirituality. We conducted the study on a sample of Hungarian adults performing regular fitness activity. METHOD: 175 participants completed a four-part online survey: demographics and training habits, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Eating Habits Questionnaire-Revised (EHQ-R), and one of the Spiritual Awareness questionnaire's subscale. We performed univariate linear regression to assess the predictor role of age on orthorexic tendencies. Mediation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self-esteem on orthorexic tendencies and the mediator role of spiritual attitudes. RESULTS: Age negatively correlated with EHQ-R, and there were no gender differences. Lower self-esteem was a predictor for orthorexic tendencies with the total effect of ß = -0.3046 (p < 0.0001). In part, this is a direct relationship, but it is mediated by spiritual awareness as well. DISCUSSION: Among frequent exercisers, strict dieting is likely to originate from a lack of self-esteem due to perfectionist standards, social comparison, and the aspiration of being in control. In case self-esteem is achieved through spiritual approaches, individuals may experience positive changes in their attitudes toward eating and their bodies as well. In the future, it is important to confirm whether the EHQ-R indicates diagnostic boundaries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES): Analysis of the impact of confinement in eating disorders and obesity-A collaborative international study.

Confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a serious and complex impact on the mental health of patients with an eating disorder (ED) and of patients with obesity. The present manuscript has the following aims: (1) to analyse the psychometric properties of the COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES), (2) to explore changes that occurred due to confinement in eating symptomatology; and (3) to explore the general acceptation of the use of telemedicine during confinement. The sample comprised 121 participants (87 ED patients and 34 patients with obesity) recruited from six different centres. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) tested the rational-theoretical structure of the CIES. Adequate goodness-of-fit was obtained for the confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach alpha values ranged from good to excellent. Regarding the effects of confinement, positive and negative impacts of the confinement depends of the eating disorder subtype. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with obesity endorsed a positive response to treatment during confinement, no significant changes were found in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients, whereas Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) patients endorsed an increase in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology. Furthermore, AN patients expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and accommodation difficulty with remote therapy when compared with the previously provided face-to-face therapy. The present study provides empirical evidence on the psychometric robustness of the CIES tool and shows that a negative confinement impact was associated with ED subtype, whereas OSFED patients showed the highest impairment in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology.

[Antidepressants sometimes lead to rapid remission in the treatment of anorexia nervosa]. / Az antidepresszívumok az anorexia nervosa kezelésében néha gyors remisszióhoz vezetnek.

In the treatment of anorexia nervosa the dominant role of psychotherapies is proposed, while pharmacotherapy has a limited effi cacy. Because of the broad comorbidity spectrum of the disorder, other psychiatric disorders are often present. Among them depression is frequent, so one of the selective theories of eating disorders stresses the importance of the relationship with depression. In everyday practice we frequently encounter anorexic patients whose depressive symptoms are mild or moderate, and these are often regarded as usual accompanying phenomena of anorexia. The three case reports described in the present study support that it is worth to consider the application of antidepressants in such situations. In all three cases antidepressants were initiated following ineffi cacy of psychotherapy, and they produced a dramatic eff ectiveness not only in depressive symptoms, but also in the whole anorexic syndrome. In the complex therapy of anorexia nervosa antidepressants may yield a very good therapeutic eff ect in cases with comorbid, even subthreshold depression.

Compulsory treatment in eating disorders: Control, provocation, and the coercion paradox.

In eating disorders, the denial of the illness is a central phenomenon. In the most severe forms of anorexia, compulsory treatment may be necessary. The professional acceptance of involuntary treatment is controversial due to the fact that the autonomy of the patient is juxtaposed with the obligation of the health care practitioner to save lives. This paper discusses the major practical and ethical considerations surrounding this controversy. In addition, case vignettes are used to illustrate various strategies to diminish client resistance and enhance motivation toward treatment. Involving the family is nearly always essential for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. In some cases, parental consultation (i.e., treatment without the client) can also be an option. Home visits, though rarely used, can reframe the therapeutic relationship and provide information about family functioning. In general, a lower level of treatment coercion can be achieved through transparent client-parent and client-therapist communication.

[The role of traumatization in eating disorders. Possible therapeutic modalities with special regard to cognitive behavioural methods].

In the complex pathomechanism of eating disorders (especially that of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder) the traumatic experiences (sexual, physical, emotional abuse, neglect) often play an important role. The consequence of traumas can be the borderline personality disorder, or different disorders of the emotional regulation. These occur mainly in the multiimpulsive subtype of eating disorders with impulse control disorders. In relation to the trauma dissociative phenomena are frequent. In the diagnostics of eating disorders the history of traumatization is essential. Among the therapeutical possibilities the psychodynamic approach is important. Moreover, the newer methods based on cognitive behavioral therapy are effective, e.g., dialectic behavior therapy, integrative cognitive-analytic therapy, and other complex programs of trauma processing, such as the trauma-informed care.

[Potential relationship between juice cleanse diets and eating disorders. A qualitative pilot study]. / A léböjtkúrák és az atípusos evészavarok lehetséges kapcsolata. Kvalitatív elotanulmány.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: There are two notable eating behaviors that are not far from having their own category as a mental disorder: the purging disorder, that is already among the DSM-5 non-specific eating disorders, and orthorexia nervosa, when a person is fixating too much on healthy foods. Our purpose is to describe how these can be observed in recreational juice cleanse camps, which are very popular today as an alternative health trend. METHOD: The first author recorded her data during multisited ethnographic observations in two Hungarian juice cleanse camps. Based on the diary logs, notes and interviews collected, we will present the motives of eating anomalies that the participants had shown. RESULTS: The main motive of the camp is "detoxification". The lack of solid food, drastically low calorie intake and lots of physical activity will bring an inevitable change in the body, that is interpreted as toxins leaving the body. Participants have also included deliberate use of laxatives in their everyday routines, with which they associate positive connotations and are linked to the spiritual processes of "letting it go" and "renewal" in the spirit of a holistic approach. The use of symbols in the physiological processes was highly noticeable. Rapid weight loss due to diuresis, the desire for "clean" meals, and "self-rewarding" borrowed from the esoteric-self-help culture are also common motives. Due to the refeeding complications, so far two deaths have been reported by camp organizers. CONCLUSIONS: Both purging disorder and orthorexia nervosa can be well-identified in our observations. This shows that also in the non-clinical environment, there is an institutionalization of eating habits that are dangerous to the health. This "detox" is not only physiologically harmful, but it is not proved to provide long-term help in mental health either. As a solution, we advocate developing an appropriate health communication plan for misconceptions about healthy lifestyle and eating, and also a promotion of psychotherapeutic opportunities. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(28): 1153-1157.

[The medical psychology in Hungary: way of thinking, frame of references and applications]. / Az orvosi pszichológia fejlodése hazánkban: szemléleti keretek, határterületek és alkalmazások.

The present study aims at overviewing the different stages of the education of medical psychology in Hungary. In the perspective of the achievements of cognitive and affective neuroscience as well as developmental psychology, we intend to define the roots of doctor-patient relationship, certain determining factors of diagnosis forming and therapy efficiency as well as the essential components of empathy. We attest to the fact that the current psychosomatic medicine with its evidence-based achievements is a valid component and constitutive pillar of everyday medical care. The integrated university level instruction of medical psychology and behavioral sciences aims at consolidating this perspective. We also emphasize that the ill body hinders adequate psychological functioning and mental disorders provide risk factors concerning somatic illnesses. Through spreading health psychology perspective, we support the concept that in everyday medical care, health protection and the development of health conscious behavior relies on responsible, informed and committed decision-making patients as well as on similarly educated extended medical care teams. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(36): 1455-1464.

[Eating disorders and fertility].

Common gynecological complications of various eating disorders include infertility, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, sexual dysfunction and complications in the treatment of gynecological cancers. Women with eating disorders typically see their gynecologists because of menstrual and other endocrine disorders or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, and often report on psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression or decreased libido). In spite of anovulation, menstruation may occur and ovulation without menstruation may be possible, which may lead to an increased incidence of unwanted pregnancies in case of prior or current eating disorders. Ovulation induction due to anovulation associated with weight loss or inappropriate dietary habits, or pregnancy with amenorrhoea may be a significant risk among women with unrecognized eating disorders. In such cases, the primary care is the change of dietary lifestyle and only secondary care is the ovulation induction. The prevalence of eating disorders is high among women who approach infertility clinics. If an eating disorder is confirmed prior to infertility treatment, the patient should be informed of the possible consequences and referred to the necessary psychological support. Such a multidisciplinary approach would allow successful infertility treatments without complications.

[Risk factors of eating disorders in the narratives of fashion models].

INTRODUCTION: The risk of eating disorders is high in populations who are exposed to slimness ideal, so among fashion models. The present qualitative study evaluates the risk factors of eating disorders in a group of fashion models with semistructured interview. Moreover, the aim of the study was to examine the impact of professional requirements on the health of models. METHODS: The study group was internationally heterogeneous. The models were involved by personal professional relationship. A semistructured questionnaire was used by e-mail containing anthropometric data and different aspects of the model profession. RESULTS: 29 female and three male models, three agents, two designers, three fotographers, one personal trainer and one stylist answered the questionnaire. Transient bulimic symptoms were reported by six female models (21%). Moreover, five female models fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Four of them were anorexic (body mass index: 13.9-15.3), one was bulimic. The symptoms of three persons began before the model career, those of two models after it. 17 models reported that the model profession intensively increased the bodily preoccupations. CONCLUSION: The study corroborates the effect of the model profession on the increase of the risk for eating disorders. In the case of the models, whose eating disorder began after stepping into the model profession, the role of the representants of the fashion industry can be suggested as a form of psychological abuse. As the models or in the case of underages their parents accepted the strong requirement of slimness, an unconscious collusion is probable. Our date highlight the health impact of cultural ideals, and call the attention to prevention strategies.

[Guidelines and recommendations in the treatment of eating disorders].

The importance of eating disorders is increasing in the psychiatric practice, underlined by the epidemiological data and the severity of these disorders. In the treatment several approaches can be found, and some of these are controversial. Following the rules of evidence-based medicine an increasing number of guidelines were published. Eating disorders are prevalent and often show a serious course, the guidelines summarizing the recent knowledge in the literature are very useful for the therapists. The present guideline aims to help the everyday practice. It overviews the principles of the treatment of eating disordered patients, the steps of diagnostics, and the therapeutical methods. Many basic and practical techniques are also presented. It discusses the skills which are necessary for the treatment of eating disorders, and the therapeutical traps as well.

[Eating disorders and pregnancy - a review of literature]. / Az evészavarok és a terhesség összefüggései - irodalmi áttekintés.

Eating disorders are psychosomatic disorders affecting primarily women, and influence reproductive functions as well. They have an impact on ovarial cyclem fertility, course of pregnancy, process of delivery, post partum period. Moreover, some data show that they can influence the adult health status. Extensive research from the last three decades call the attention to the fact that besides the classical eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) the newer types (e.g., orthorexia nervosa), and subclinical disorders also occur in a subgroup of pregnant women. For this reason it is of key importance that the personnel working in the territory of obstetrics and gynecology have a solid knowledge about the symptoms, screening and therapeutical opportunities, and outcome of these disorders. The review summarizes the recent research data about the relationship of eating disorders and pregnancy.

Adult attachment and parental bonding in irritable bowel syndrome and in panic disorder - Implications for psychotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Attachment theory provides an integrative perspective about the interplay between cognitive, affective, behavioral and interpersonal processes and is relevant for understanding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and panic disorder (PD). The aim of the present study was to examine the adult attachment style and parental bonding of IBS and PD patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, 65 PD and 65 IBS patients with clinical diagnosis participated. Measures were Attachment Style Questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale - Revised, and Parental Bonding Instrument. RESULTS: The frequencies of insecure attachment (80.0% vs. 63.1%) and paternal neglect (35.4% vs. 16.9%) were higher in IBS than in PD (χ2 (1)=4.571, p=0.033, and χ2 (3)=7.831, p=0.050, respectively). The frequency of secure attachment was significantly higher for optimal paternal bonding than with suboptimal paternal bonding (75.0% vs. 21.9%, χ2 (1)=19.408, p<0.001). According to the results of multiple binary logistic analysis, optimal paternal bonding predicted secure attachment after adjusting for the background variables (OR=9.26, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: A high frequency of insecure attachment was present in both groups, especially in IBS. With regard to maternal bonding, IBS and PD groups showed similar patterns, while an apparent difference was observed for paternal bonding. These highlighted the developmental similarities of these two, symptomatically different disorders. While optimal maternal bonding did not predict adult attachment security, paternal bonding did thus replete with therapeutic implications. Attachment functions, like responsiveness, attunement and affection modulation were apparent in the psychotherapist-patient relationship as well.

The European Initiative ProYouth for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of eating disorders screening results in Hungary.

OBJECTIVE: The ProYouth programme focuses on the promotion of mental health and the prevention of eating disorders (EDs) among young people. The aim of our study was to explore whether the programme can address individuals who are at risk for developing 2EDs. METHOD: This study is designed as an online cross-sectional survey (n = 664, 12.2% men, 87.8% women, mean age: 24.9 years, SD = 5.4 years, range: 18-40 years). Measures included demographic data, self-reported weight and height, the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety, Short Evaluation of Eating Disorders, Weight Concerns Scale and previous/current treatment for EDs. RESULTS: In terms of severity of EDs, 22.9% (n = 152) of the screened participants were symptom free, 48.8% (n = 324) had considerable concerns about their weight, 11.1% (n = 74) were slightly impaired, 15.1% (n = 100) had severe impairment and 2.1% (n = 14) of participants are currently under treatment for EDs. In total, 56.3% of users (n = 374) registered in the programme. According to our results, those who had considerable concerns about their weight and individuals who were severely impaired registered with a greater odds to the programme than those who were symptom free [odds ratio (OR) = 1.64, p = .021 and OR = 1.90, p = .023, respectively]. Furthermore, those who previously received treatment for their ED registered to the programme with greater odds than those who did not (OR = 2.40, p = .017). CONCLUSION: ProYouth successfully addressed those who have elevated concerns about their weight and who also registered with greater odds to the programme than those who were symptom free regarding EDs. The screening results show that there is a greater need for specialized care targeting EDs in Hungary than what is currently available.

Linguistic characteristics of patients with bulimic symptomatology in an online post-treatment program: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: No former investigation has been performed related to the linguistic characteristics of patients with eating disorders using online synchronous communication mediums like chats. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the linguistic predictors of improvement in eating disorder-related attitudes, behaviours and emotional distress of patients with eating disorders. METHODS: Thirty-nine women, who had received treatment for bulimia nervosa or related eating disorders not otherwise specified, utilized the moderated therapeutic group chats of an Internet-based program for 4 months. The main themes of 134 session transcripts were created using a general inductive approach. The frequency of dictionary words in the text corpus was processed by the NooJ linguistic software. Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were administered at the beginning and at the end of 4 months. No valid questionnaire data could be obtained from 11 participants, so the statistical analyses were performed in a sample of 28 subjects. RESULTS: According to the results of multiple linear regression analyses, higher ratio of words related to "family of origin" was associated with improvements in eating disorder-related attitudes, emotional distress, and reduction in the frequency of binge eating episodes (ß = 0.73, p < 0.001; ß = 0.67, p = 0.002; ß = 0.53, p = 0.039, respectively). DISCUSSION: The expression of "family of origin" words following treatment termination was a linguistic predictor of improvement during group chat communication of patients with bulimic symptomatology. The results show the importance of family issues in enhancing the treatment outcome and provide preliminary evidence to address this topic during online chat moderation.

[The treatment of binge eating disorder - a review]. / A falászavar (binge eating disorder) kezelése.

The binge eating disorder is a relatively new type of eating disorders, which was first described in 1992, and became a distinct nosological entity in the system of DSM-5 in 2013. Its central symptom is the binge, which is not followed by compensatory behaviours as in bulimia nervosa. Therefore, the patients are generally obese. The prevalence of the disorder is 1-3% in the general population, but much higher in help-seeking obese subjects. The two main goals of the therapy is body weight reduction, and the cessation of binges. In the pharmacotherapy of binge eating disorder the antidepressants are recommended mainly in the case of unsuccessful psychotherapy, and in treating comorbid depression. In the field of psychotherapy data are available mainly on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectic behaviour therapy, behavioural weight loss, and interpersonal therapy. Effectivity studies on new therapeutic methods and treatment combinations are needed as well as long term follow-up studies.

When eating healthy is not healthy: orthorexia nervosa and its measurement with the ORTO-15 in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: For a better differential diagnosis of eating disorders, it is necessary to investigate their subtypes and develop specific assessment tools to measure their specific symptoms. Orthorexia nervosa is an alleged eating disorder in which the person is excessively preoccupied with healthy food. The ORTO-15, designed by Donini and colleagues, is the first and only at least partially validated instrument to measure this construct. The aims of the present study were to examine the psychometric properties of its Hungarian adaptation (ORTO-11-Hu), and to investigate its relationship to food consumption and lifestyle habits in order to contribute to a better description of the phenomenon. METHODS: The ORTO-11-Hu, a lifestyle habits questionnaire, a food choice list indicating foods the participants choose to consume, and ten additional orthorexia-related questions were administered to a group of 810 Hungarian participants (89.4% female) aged between 20 and 70 (M = 32.39 ± 10.37 years). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a single factor structure for the 11-item shortened version of the instrument. Internal consistency of the measure was adequate (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). No significant differences were found between males and females on the ORTO-11-Hu. Age and body mass index were significantly associated with a tendency towards orthorexia nervosa. Additional orthorexia-related features were significantly correlated with ORTO-11-Hu scores: orthorexia nervosa tendency was associated not only with healthier food choices (eating more whole wheat cereals, less white wheat cereals, more fruit and vegetables) but with shopping in health food stores, as well as with some healthy lifestyle habits (more sports activity, specific dietary behaviors, and less alcohol intake). Individuals with higher orthorexia nervosa tendency also reported a greater tendency to advocate their healthy diet to their friends and family members. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence for the reliability of ORTO-11-Hu and some support for the construct validity of the instrument. The present study also contributes to the establishment of (diagnostic) criteria for this new subtype of eating disorders.