One body, two faces: How double standards influence body evaluation in women with binge-eating disorder compared to mentally healthy women with higher weight and average weight.

OBJECTIVE: Research has found evidence that women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) apply different standards for themselves than for others when evaluating bodies, an aspect of a disturbed body image. This study investigates whether women with binge-eating disorder (BED) likewise show self-deprecating double standards (DS). METHODS: Women with BED (n = 40), women with higher weight (n = 40) and women with average weight (n = 40) viewed a presentation of different builds, including their individual ideal body, which were presented once with participants' own and once with an unknown woman's face. After each presentation, participants rated their emotional response regarding arousal and valence, and evaluated the body's attractiveness, body fat and muscle mass. DS were defined as the difference in ratings of the same body with one's own and the unknown face. RESULTS: Women with BED showed a higher degree of negative emotions in response to a thin and a high-weight build, rated lower levels of body attractiveness for an athletic build, and displayed more arousal for almost all builds presented with their own compared to with another face. While women with BED showed a higher burden on measures of eating pathology and body image than the other groups, DS were not more pronounced in women with BED. DISCUSSION: The findings contradict DS as a characteristic feature of BED, but underline "normative" DS for higher-weight/high-weight builds, reflecting weight stigmatization. Psychoeducation on these DS might complement cognitive-behavioral therapy in BED in order to reduce negative emotions. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: A bias in body evaluation has been proven in women with anorexia and BN, but no research has examined this in women with BED. This study provides evidence of DS in body evaluation in women with BED, compares the extent of DS between women with BED, higher weight, and average weight, and investigates individual body ideals in women with BED and higher weight.

What happens in the course of positive mirror exposure? Effects on eating pathology, body satisfaction, affect, and subjective physiological arousal in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Mirror exposure (ME) is a therapeutic technique to improve body image disturbance. However, evidence on the effectiveness of different forms of ME in clinical populations is lacking. The present study therefore analysed effects of ME on trait-like and state measures of body image in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). METHOD: The present study therefore analysed effects of ME on trait-like and state measures of body image in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). In total, 47 inpatients underwent 3 ME sessions guided by a therapist, with instructions to exclusively verbalise positively about their whole body. Participants completed questionnaires on trait-like eating pathology and body image at the start and end of the study, and instruments on state affect and body satisfaction were administered directly before and after each ME session. Subjective physiological arousal and emotional valence relating to each body part were assessed within each session. RESULTS: The results indicate significant improvements in eating pathology and body image regarding trait-like measures in patients with AN and BN. Concerning state measures, negative affect significantly decreased and body satisfaction increased during ME. Physiological arousal decreased and positively valenced emotions relating to the various body parts increased. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that positively verbalising about one's body during ME improves eating pathology, body image, affect, and subjective physiological arousal, and thus seems to be an effective form of ME.

[Psychometric Evaluation of the German-Language Version of the Feedback on Physical Appearance Scale on Female Adolescents With Eating Disorders Plus Adolescents and Women Without Eating Disorders]. / Psychometrische Überprüfung der deutschsprachigen Version der Feedback on Physical Appearance Scale an weiblichen Jugendlichen mit Essstörungen sowie Jugendlichen und Frauen ohne Essstörungen.

Negative body-related feedback is associated with increased body dissatisfaction. The English-language version of the Feedback on Physical Appearance Scale (FOPAS) is an instrument to assess verbal and non-verbal body-related feedback, but a German-language version has not been validated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of its German-language version in a sample of adolescents with eating disorders (n=88) and in a sample of adolescents (n=123) and women (n=228) without eating disorders. Confirmatory factor analyses showed a moderate model fit from the English-language original study. All samples showed acceptable internal consistencies. The retest reliability was also mostly acceptable. Significant positive correlations with questionnaires on eating disorder symptoms (criterion validity), teasing (convergent validity) as well as the expected negative correlation with self-esteem indicated good validity. In addition, the FOPAS was able to differentiate between adolescents with and without eating disorders. To sum up, the German-language FOPAS appears to be suitable to assess verbal and non-verbal body-related feedback in research and practice.

Appearance-Related Partner Preferences and Body Image in a German Sample of Homosexual and Heterosexual Women and Men.

There is evidence that gender as well as sexual orientation can affect body image. In particular, heterosexual women and homosexual men seem to be more vulnerable to a negative body image compared to homosexual women and heterosexual men. One reason for this may be derived from the fact that heterosexual women and homosexual men try to attract male romantic partners: As men place more importance on physical attractiveness than do women, the pressure to fulfill the sociocultural beauty ideal is thus increased. The present online study investigated differences in appearance-related partner preferences and their associations with measures of body image and eating pathology in homosexual and heterosexual women and men. The non-representative sample consisted of 893 participants (n = 201 lesbian women, n = 192 gay men, n = 349 heterosexual women, and n = 151 heterosexual men), who completed silhouette measures assessing their perception and expectations regarding body fat and muscularity of their own body and the body of a potential romantic partner, as well as questionnaires on drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, and eating pathology. Overall, few differences in appearance-related partner preferences emerged between the four groups. However, compared to heterosexual women, homosexual men appeared to prefer higher muscularity in potential romantic partners, which was also associated with increased drive for thinness and muscularity and increased eating pathology. The present findings indicate that, irrespective of sexual orientation, women and men tend to share similar standards regarding their own and a potential partner's physical appearance, potentially suggesting an increased hegemony of heteronormative beauty ideals in women and men in general.

[The German-Language Version of the Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory: Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties in Male Samples]. / Die deutschsprachige Fassung des Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory: Evaluation der psychometrischen Kennwerte in männlichen Stichproben.

To assess central aspects of muscle dysmorphia, classified as a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder, the Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI) is available for the English-speaking areas. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the German-language version of the MDI. Therefore, male participants from two separate samples (sample 1: n=143; sample 2: n=71; N=214) completed a questionnaire battery, including the MDI. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the factor structure postulated by the authors of the English-language original version could not be replicated. However, the fit indices were broadly adequate when the model was altered based on the modification indices. The MDI subscales showed acceptable to excellent internal consistencies. The test-retest reliability of approximately 14 days was high. Significant positive correlations of the MDI subscales with other body image and psychopathology measures, and the weight-training frequency per week indicated good convergent and criterion validity. Furthermore, the MDI differentiated between subgroups of men with muscle dysmorphia, weight-training, and non-weight-training men. With the exception of the subscale Pharmacological Use (PU), which showed lower reliability and validity, and the insufficient model fit, the German-language version of the MDI generally displayed adequate psychometric properties. Hence, with restrictions concerning the subscale PU, the administration in clinical-psychological research and a psychotherapeutic context seems to be recommendable.

Meta-analysis on the long-term effectiveness of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term effectiveness is a critical aspect of the clinical utility of a treatment; however, a meta-analytic evaluation of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorder (BED), including weight loss treatments, is outstanding. This meta-analysis sought to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term effectiveness in diverse treatments for BED regarding a range of clinically relevant outcomes. METHOD: Based on a systematic search up to February 2018, 114 published and unpublished randomized-controlled (RCTs), nonrandomized, and uncontrolled treatment studies, totaling 8,862 individuals with BED (DSM-IV, DSM-5), were identified and analyzed using within-group random-effect modeling. RESULTS: Effectiveness (regarding binge-eating episodes and abstinence, eating disorder and general psychopathology) up to 12 months following treatment was demonstrated for psychotherapy, structured self-help treatment, and combined treatment, while the results regarding body weight reduction were inconsistent. These results were confirmed in sensitivity analyses with RCTs on the most common treatments-cognitive-behavioral therapy and self-help treatment based on this approach. Follow-up intervals longer than 12 months were rarely reported, mostly supporting the long-term effectiveness of psychotherapy. Few follow-up data were available for pharmacotherapy, and behavioral and self-help weight loss treatment, while follow-up data were lacking for pharmacological and surgical weight loss treatment. Study quality varied widely. DISCUSSION: This comprehensive meta-analysis demonstrated the medium-term effectiveness of psychotherapy, structured self-help treatment, and combined treatment for patients with BED, and supported the long-term effectiveness of psychotherapy. The results were derived from uncontrolled comparisons over time. Further long-term high quality research on psychological and medical treatments for BED is required.

OBJECTIVO: La efectividad a largo plazo es un aspecto crítico de la utilidad clínica de un tratamiento; sin embargo, una evaluación metaanalítica de los tratamientos psicológicos y médicos para el trastorno por atracón (TpA), incluidos los tratamientos para perder peso, es sobresaliente. Este metaanálisis buscó proporcionar una evaluación integral de la efectividad a largo plazo en diversos tratamientos para TpA con respecto a una gama de resultados clínicamente relevantes. MÉTODO: En base a una búsqueda sistemática hasta febrero de 2018, se identificaron 114 estudios controlados aleatorios (ECA), no aleatorizados y no controlados, publicados y no publicados, de tratamiento, con un total de 8,862 individuos con TpA (DSM-IV, DSM-5), fueron identificados y analizados utilizando modelos de efecto aleatorio dentro del grupo. RESULTADOS: Se demostró la efectividad para psicoterapia, tratamiento de autoayuda estructurado y tratamiento combinado (con respecto a los episodios de atracones y la abstinencia, el trastorno de la conducta alimentaria y la psicopatología general) hasta 12 meses después del tratamiento, mientras que los resultados con respecto a la reducción del peso corporal fueron inconsistentes. Estos resultados se confirmaron en análisis de sensibilidad con ECAs sobre los tratamientos más comunes - terapia cognitivo conductual y tratamiento de autoayuda basado en este enfoque. Los intervalos de seguimiento de más de 12 meses rara vez se reportaron, la mayoría apoyando la efectividad a largo plazo de la psicoterapia. Había pocos datos de seguimiento disponibles para farmacoterapia y tratamiento de pérdida de peso conductual y de autoayuda, mientras que faltaban datos de seguimiento para el tratamiento farmacológico y quirúrgico de pérdida de peso. La calidad del estudio varió ampliamente. DISCUSIÓN: Este metaanálisis integral demostró la efectividad a medio plazo de la psicoterapia, el tratamiento de autoayuda estructurado y el tratamiento combinado para pacientes con TpA, y apoyó la efectividad a largo plazo de la psicoterapia. Los resultados se derivaron de comparaciones no controladas a lo largo del tiempo. Se requiere más investigación a largo plazo de alta calidad sobre tratamientos psicológicos y médicos para TpA.

Are there associations between religious affiliation and drive for muscularity? A cross-sectional survey of young Muslim women, Christian women and atheist women from Germany.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 20 years, society's perception of the ideal female body size in Western cultures has changed from thin to athletic, and many women practice sports to achieve well-toned bodies. However, to date, no study has investigated whether Muslim women who live in a Western country and veil their bodies strive for lean or muscular bodies too. The current cross-sectional survey therefore addressed this question. METHODS: Veiled Muslim women (n = 70), unveiled Muslim women (n = 50), Christian women (n = 79), and atheist women (n = 68) living in Germany answered several questionnaires assessing engagement in sports, body appreciation, and drive for leanness and muscularity. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to compare the four groups. RESULTS: The results of univariate and multivariate analyses showed that Muslim women engaged less in sports and veiled Muslim women reported higher body appreciation than did Christian and atheist women. Although the groups did not differ significantly in drive for muscularity, Muslim women showed lower levels of drive for leanness than did Christian and atheist women. CONCLUSION: Given that Muslim women engaged less in sports and strived less for a lean body compared to Christian and atheist women, a well-toned body might be less important for them. Nevertheless, as being active is beneficial for general health, barriers that prevent Muslim women from engaging in sports should be diminished.

The Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity-Male Bodies: Development and validation of a new figure rating scale for body image in men.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to validate the Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity-Male Bodies (BIMTM-MB), a two-dimensional figure rating scale consisting of 64 three-dimensional male bodies, arranged in an 8 × 8 grid, with muscularity increasing stepwise on the vertical axis and body fat on the horizontal axis. METHOD: The online sample included 355 men participating in an online survey. Besides the BIMTM-MB, participants completed questionnaires on body-related attitudes, behaviors, and psychopathology. Another 91 men were recruited to examine test-retest reliability of the BIMTM-MB. RESULTS: The BIMTM-MB showed good convergent and criterion validity. Men meeting their own body ideal showed higher body satisfaction and lower body-related psychopathology. Test-retest reliability was high. CONCLUSIONS: The BIMTM-MB proved to be a reliable and valid measure and is recommended for use in research and clinical practice to examine central aspects of male body image.

Approach and avoidance bias for thin-ideal and normal-weight body shapes in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The two studies aimed to examine implicit affective evaluations of thin-ideal and normal-weight body shapes in women with anorexia nervosa (AN), taking identification with body shapes into account. METHOD: In study 1, approach-avoidance bias for thin-ideal and normal-weight bodies was assessed in 40 women with AN and 40 healthy women by using an Approach-Avoidance Task and female avatar bodies with a standard face as stimuli. In study 2, 39 women with AN and 38 healthy women underwent a similar task but identification with bodies was manipulated by presenting bodies once with the participant's own face and once with another woman's face. RESULTS: In study 1, patients with AN did not differ from healthy participants in their automatic approach-avoidance tendencies towards thin-ideal and normal-weight bodies. In study 2, no definite approach bias for a thin self and no avoidance bias for thin other women or for a normal-weight self were found. However, as compared to healthy women, those with AN showed a less positive implicit evaluation of thin other women, and an implicit preference for thin bodies depicted as themselves over thin bodies depicted as another woman. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that intra-sexual competition for being slim is increased in AN.

How do you feel when you check your body? Emotional states during a body-checking episode in normal-weight females.

PURPOSE: Cognitive-behavioral theories posit that body checking decreases negative emotions, but increases levels of arousal. However, few studies have investigated the effects of body checking on the course of emotional states. Therefore, the current study examined how normal-weight females with higher and lower eating, weight, and shape concerns feel during a checking episode of their most-liked and least-liked body parts. METHODS: In an online design, levels of negative emotions and arousal were retrospectively assessed before, during, immediately after, and 15 min after an individually remembered body-checking episode. Participants (N = 355) also rated their subjective satisfaction with specific body parts. RESULTS: Levels of negative emotions were lower 15 min after the checking episode of most-liked and least-liked body parts than before the episode. However, negative emotions increased during the checking episode of least-liked body parts, but subsided thereafter. The levels of arousal increased during the checking episodes of most-liked and least-liked body parts and decreased afterwards, and females with higher concerns reported greater levels of arousal than females with lower concerns. Furthermore, females with higher concerns reported more body checking than those with lower concerns. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the assumptions of the cognitive-behavioral theories, as body checking led to a decrease in negative emotions in the longer term, and levels of arousal increased during the checking episode. The greater levels of arousal in females with higher concerns, and their pronounced body-checking behavior, might enhance their existing concerns and increase the risk of disordered eating. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.

The course of maternal repetitive negative thinking at the transition to motherhood and early mother-infant interactions: Is there a link?

Potential long-term associations between repetitive negative thinking and mother-infant interactions have received little attention. The current longitudinal study including N = 62 mother-infant dyads investigated both maternal and infant behavior in face-to-face interactions as a function of pre- and postnatal maternal repetitive negative thinking when infants were aged around 4 months. We hypothesised that mothers with a strong tendency to engage in repetitive negative thinking would react less contingently to their infants' behavior compared to mothers with a weak tendency to engage in repetitive negative thinking. Furthermore, we hypothesised that infants of mothers high in repetitive negative thinking would differ from infants of mothers low in repetitive negative thinking in their reactions in the still-face task. Contrary to expectations, there was no difference in maternal contingency between mothers high versus low in repetitive negative thinking. However, infant behavior in the still-face task differed as a function of maternal repetitive negative thinking status. Specifically, infants of mothers high in repetitive negative thinking spent more time with object/environment engagement than infants of mothers who were low in repetitive negative thinking, and they also protested less frequently. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for the intergenerational transmission of mental disorders.

Double standards in body evaluation? The influence of identification with body stimuli on ratings of attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass.

Although it is well documented that women evaluate their own body differently from other bodies, it remains unclear whether this discrepancy is based on double standards because of identity or on objective differences between these bodies. The aim of this study was therefore to test whether women apply double standards depending on a body's identity when evaluating the same bodies presented with different faces. Average-weight women (N = 104) rated body attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass of thin, average-weight, overweight, athletic, and hypermuscular bodies with either another female's face or their own face. With their own face, subjects rated overweight bodies as more unattractive, higher in body fat and lower in muscle mass than with another female's face. However, for non-overweight bodies, body ratings did not differ depending on body identity. Based on the self-deprecating double standards for overweight bodies, a body-related identity bias might be considered in theoretical models of body image.Level of evidence Level V, descriptive study.

The phase model of psychotherapy outcome: Domain-specific trajectories of change in outpatient treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The Phase model of psychotherapy outcome assumes a log-linear trajectory of change and allows predictions about the three outcome domains of Well-being, Symptoms, and Interpersonal functioning. Although the model has been partly validated, little is known about the types of trajectories in the specific domains and about the transferability of the model to treatments of longer duration. This study tested whether the domain-specific change trajectories followed a log-linear curve as postulated by the Phase model. Furthermore, it was examined whether the speed of change differed between the domains. METHOD: Growth curves were modeled using hierarchical linear modeling on an outpatient sample (N = 351), with treatment duration averaging 52 sessions. RESULTS: A log-linear curve best explained the change trajectories of the domains Well-being and Symptoms as well as the Global score of psychopathology, whereas Interpersonal functioning tends to improve in a linear pattern. Estimated slopes were biggest for Well-being and smallest for Interpersonal functioning. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the predictions of the Phase model concerning multidimensional phases were validated. The finding that trajectories of change are not uniformly log-linear, but either log-linear or linear in a domain-specific manner, is partly inconsistent with the model. Clinical or methodological significance of this article: This article extends previous research in the field of psychotherapeutic change by providing results from the modeling of change trajectories in psychotherapeutic treatments with larger amounts of sessions (i.e., more than 20 sessions). Our findings of domain-specific different shapes (i.e., log-linear for Well-Being and Symptoms and linear for Interpersonal functioning) and speed (i.e., fastest for Well-Being and slowest for Interpersonal function) of trajectories of psychotherapeutic change may be clinically applied by means of guidelines for therapists to plan and adapt their treatments. In addition to content-related aspects of a continuous adjustment of treatment goals (e.g., merely symptom-oriented or focusing on interpersonal change) and interventions, this adaptive planning is also related to health care considerations (e.g., may justify longer treatments if therapy goals target several domains of change).

Double standards in body evaluation? How identifying with a body stimulus influences ratings in women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Women with eating disorders (ED) evaluate their own body more negatively than do women without ED. However, it is unclear whether this negative rating is due to objective bodily features or different standards for one's own body and others' bodies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether women with ED apply double standards when rating bodies by disentangling the objective features of one's own body from the feelings of ownership. METHOD: We presented n = 34 women with anorexia nervosa, n = 31 women with bulimia nervosa, and n = 114 healthy controls with pictures of thin, average-weight, overweight, athletic, and hypermuscular bodies. Identity was manipulated by showing each body once with the participant's own face and once with the face of another woman. Participants were instructed to report their emotional state according to valence and arousal and to rate body attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass. RESULTS: Women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa displayed greater self-deprecating double standards in body fat rating than did women without ED, as quantified by the difference between the ratings of the same body with one's own versus another woman's face. Double standards reflected in valence, arousal and attractiveness ratings were significantly more pronounced in women with anorexia nervosa than in women without ED. DISCUSSION: The double standards found may be due to an activation of dysfunctional self-related body schemata, which distort body evaluation depending on identity. Double standards related to body fat were characteristic for women with ED, but not for women without ED.

[Assessment of Body-Related Avoidance Behaviour: Validation of the German Version of the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) in Adolescents with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa and Healthy Controls]. / Körperbezogenes Vermeidungsverhalten: Validierung des deutschsprachigen Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) an Jugendlichen mit Anorexia und Bulimia Nervosa sowie einer gesunden Kontrollgruppe.

Body image avoidance is conceptualised as a behavioural manifestation of body image disturbance, and describes efforts to avoid confrontation with one's own body. While studies have provided hints that body image avoidance in adulthood contributes to the development and maintenance of eating disorders, so far, there are no corresponding findings for adolescence. The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) is the most widely used international questionnaire for measuring body-related avoidance behaviour. As its German version has only been validated in an adult sample, the aim of the present study is to statistically test the questionnaire in adolescents with eating disorders. In total, N=127 female adolescents, including n=57 with Anorexia Nervosa, n=24 with Bulimia Nervosa, and n=46 healthy controls, answered the BIAQ as well as various other instruments for assessing body image disturbance and eating disorder symptoms. The factor structure assumed for the original English version, comprising the higher-order factor "body-related avoidance behaviour" and the 4 subfactors "clothing", "social activities", "eating restraint" and "grooming and weighing", was confirmed by a confirmatory factor analysis. With the exception of the scale "grooming and weighing", all scales showed mostly acceptable internal consistencies, test-retest reliability, differential validity and construct validity. Due to their satisfying psychometric properties, the use of the BIAQ scales "clothing", "social activities" and "eating restraint" can be recommended in research and practice for adolescence.

Body Covering and Body Image: A Comparison of Veiled and Unveiled Muslim Women, Christian Women, and Atheist Women Regarding Body Checking, Body Dissatisfaction, and Eating Disorder Symptoms.

Although Islam is the fastest growing religion worldwide, only few studies have investigated body image in Muslim women, and no study has investigated body checking. Therefore, the present study examined whether body image, body checking, and disordered eating differ between veiled and unveiled Muslim women, Christian women, and atheist women. While the groups did not differ regarding body dissatisfaction, unveiled Muslim women reported more checking than veiled Muslim and Christian women, and higher bulimia scores than Christian. Thus, prevention against eating disorders should integrate all women, irrespective of religious affiliation or veiling, with a particular focus on unveiled Muslim women.

Visual processing of one's own body over the course of time: Evidence for the vigilance-avoidance theory in adolescents with anorexia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE: The vigilance-avoidance theory postulates a specific threat-related pattern of attention deployment, characterized by initial orientation towards fear-evoking stimuli and subsequent directing of attention away from them. The current eye-tracking study was the first to examine the applicability of the theory for patients with eating disorders, who perceive their own body as a highly aversive, threat-evoking stimulus. METHOD: N = 56 female adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and n = 43 healthy controls (HC) aged 13-18 viewed own-body pictures while their eye movements were recorded. Relative fixation times on self-defined unattractive body areas were compared between the groups by sequencing the overall presentation time of 6,000 ms into six intervals à 1,000 ms. RESULTS: Participants with AN showed a significantly stronger attentional bias for unattractive body areas than HC within the time intervals 1, 2, and 3. However, for intervals 4, 5, and 6, no significant group differences occurred. Within the AN group, the bias for unattractive body areas was significantly stronger in interval 1 compared to intervals 4, 5, and 6; whereas within the HC group, a stable pattern of attention deployment emerged. In AN, early attention deployment was positively correlated with the negative affect reported after photo presentation. DISCUSSION: The early vigilance in AN and the subsequent decrease in attention to unattractive body parts is in line with our assumptions. However, no indication of attentional avoidance was found. The current findings partially support the vigilance-avoidance theory for the exposure to one's own body in adolescents with AN.

[Validation of a German-language Version of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) in Adolescents with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa]. / Validierung einer deutschsprachigen Fassung des Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) an Jugendlichen mit Anorexia und Bulimia Nervosa.

Body-related checking behavior, as a behavioral manifestation of a disturbed body image, fosters the development and maintenance of eating disorders. The Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) is the most commonly used questionnaire for measuring body-related checking behavior internationally. To date, validation studies are only available for adult populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to statistically test the German-language version of the BCQ in adolescents. A total of N=129 female adolescents were examined, comprising n=57 with Anorexia Nervosa, n=24 with Bulimia Nervosa, and n=48 healthy female adolescents. A confirmatory factor analysis supports the subdivision of the BCQ into a general factor and the subfactors "overall appearance", "specific body parts" and "idiosyncratic checking", which was also found in the original version. The internal consistencies are good (α≥0.81), and the BCQ is able to differentiate well between adolescents with and without eating disorders. Significant correlations between the BCQ and other body image questionnaires point to a good convergent validity. The German-language BCQ thus constitutes a valid and reliable instrument for measuring body-related checking behavior among adolescents in clinical research and practice.

Steady-state visually evoked potential correlates of human body perception.

In cognitive neuroscience, interest in the neuronal basis underlying the processing of human bodies is steadily increasing. Based on functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, it is assumed that the processing of pictures of human bodies is anchored in a network of specialized brain areas comprising the extrastriate and the fusiform body area (EBA, FBA). An alternative to examine the dynamics within these networks is electroencephalography, more specifically so-called steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs). In SSVEP tasks, a visual stimulus is presented repetitively at a predefined flickering rate and typically elicits a continuous oscillatory brain response at this frequency. This brain response is characterized by an excellent signal-to-noise ratio-a major advantage for source reconstructions. The main goal of present study was to demonstrate the feasibility of this method to study human body perception. To that end, we presented pictures of bodies and contrasted the resulting SSVEPs to two control conditions, i.e., non-objects and pictures of everyday objects (chairs). We found specific SSVEPs amplitude differences between bodies and both control conditions. Source reconstructions localized the SSVEP generators to a network of temporal, occipital and parietal areas. Interestingly, only body perception resulted in activity differences in middle temporal and lateral occipitotemporal areas, most likely reflecting the EBA/FBA.

Fears, Coping Styles, and Health Behaviors: A Comparison of Patients With Hypochondriasis, Panic Disorder, and Depression.

Research into correlates of illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis) rarely applies comprehensive assessments of health behavior. Moreover, studies on phenomenological varieties of clinical health anxiety are scarce. We examined health behavior, fear, and acceptance of death and dying, and coping with a hypothetical bodily disease in patients with hypochondriasis, panic disorder, depression, and healthy controls (all groups n = 30) using self-rated questionnaires. ANOVA with Dunnett-T3 post hoc tests revealed no group differences in health behavior. The hypochondriasis and panic disorder groups showed more fear and less acceptance of death and dying than patients with depression and controls. Groups did not differ concerning coping strategies. Patients with hypochondriasis ruminated more when confronted with their most feared rather than another disease. Patients apparently overestimate the danger of a specific disease, but without underestimating their coping abilities. A therapeutic focus on fear of death and dying via cognitive interventions and exposure is recommended.