posted on 2023-08-30, 17:37authored byMike Trott, James Johnstone, Joseph Firth, Igor Grabovac, Daragh T. McDermott, Lee Smith
Purpose:
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has been consistently linked with eating disorders, however studies that stratify associations between BDD in subjects with and without eating disorder symptomology are sparse. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to assess correlates of BDD (including social media use, motivations for exercise, exercise addiction, and sexuality) stratified by eating disorder symptomology.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study of 1665 health club users recruited online completed a battery of surveys. BDD prevalence rates were calculated and logistic regression models were created in two sub-samples: indicated or no-indicated eating disorder symptomology.
Results:
The key findings showed the prevalence of BDD in participants with indicated-eating disorder symptomology was significantly higher than in participants without indicated-eating disorder symptomology, yielding an odds ratio of 12.23. Furthermore, several correlates were associated with BDD only participants with an absence of eating disorder symptomology (gender, BMI, exercise addiction, exercising for mood improvement, attractiveness and tone), with others being significantly associated with BDD in participants in the presence of indicated eating disorders symptomology (exercising for health and enjoyment, relationship status, and ethnicity).
Conclusions:
This study provides more evidence of the complex relationship that exists between BDD and eating disorders. Furthermore, it is recommended that practitioners working with BDD subjects should screen for eating disorders due to the high morbidity associated with eating disorders.
Level of evidence:
Level III: case-control analytic study.
History
Refereed
Yes
Volume
26
Page range
1169-1177
Publication title
Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity