Young adult mental health sequelae of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence

Personality Traits and Risk of Eating Disorders in Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

Eating disorders (EDs) have been understudied and misunderstood in men. Among the relevant factors in the risk, onset, and maintenance of EDs, personality stands out. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the relationships between personality traits and risk variables for the development of EDs in men. A total of 443 male university students (mean = 22.16 years) who completed the Spanish versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) participated. Correlation analyses were performed, and in order to determine the predictive role of personality traits on risk scales, a hierarchical multiple regression was performed. The results showed that neuroticism was positively associated with drive for thinness, being its main predictor variable. In bulimia, the main relationships were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively with conscientiousness. As for body dissatisfaction, the main predictor variables were neuroticism and, in a negative sense, extraversion and openness to experience. In conclusion, personality traits are related to the risk of developing EDs in male university students, with neuroticism being the main associated trait.

Risk factors of disordered eating in adolescent girls from a community sample: a multidimensional approach

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders (ED) are severe, chronic, and complex in nature mental illnesses that are difficult to treat. One of the ways to stave off EDs is by screening among adolescents to preempt the development of clinical forms of ED in risk groups.

AIM

1) to investigate the prevalence of ED risk among adolescent girls and compare subgroups at high and low risk of ED; 2) to investigate using a multidimensional approach those variables that can interact with temperament and character traits to predict ED symptomatology.

METHODS

The cross-sectional observational self-report study of a community sample of adolescent girls 1217 years old (n=298; M=14.771.13) was carried out in the city of Ryazan, Russia. The Russian versions of Eating Attitudes Test and Cloningers Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised were used. In addition, an original questionnaire (Risk Factors of Eating Disorders) was developed. Regression models (to test for significant moderation) and path analysis (to test for significant mediations) were used.

RESULTS

Girls at risk of developing EDs are characterized by a heightened level of concern about weight and dissatisfaction with their body, tend to suffer from low self-directedness, higher novelty seeking and tendency to higher harm avoidance, display high alexithymia, experience self-distrust, negative emotionality and are dissatisfied with family relationships. They also suffer from low self-esteem and tend to be perfectionism and engage in risk behavior. Significant moderating effects were uncovered between the following ED risk factors: (1) self-distrust/risk behavior and BMI; (2) alexithymia/negative emotionality/self-esteem and cooperativeness; and (3) negative emotionality/risk behavior and self-transcendence. Family relationship dissatisfaction mediates the association between self-directedness/cooperativeness/self-transcendence and disordered eating.

CONCLUSION

There are various mutual influences between the numerous ED risk and prevention factors, which all together determine the paths between the predictors and final outcome.

Trends in body size and prevalence of underweight and overweight in 7–9 year old children from eastern Poland between 2006 and 2021

Malnutrition and the overnutrition of children and adolescents is a severe problem in most countries. Aim of the study: Determination of fifteen-year changes in body height, and BMI in girls and boys living in towns and villages in eastern Polish voivodeships. In 2006, 2016, and 2021 a study was conducted on children and adolescents living in the Podlaskie, Lubelskie, and Podkarpackie voivodeships (7048 girls and 7686 boys aged 7–9 years). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on height and weight measurements. In the calendar age groups, arithmetic means and dissemination measures for body height and BMI were calculated on particular time periods of the study. The statistical significance of the differences between the groups was conducted using the ANOVA analysis of variance and the Newmann-Keuls test. From the research material, study participants exhibiting underweight, overweight and those falling within a normal range of weight-to-height proportions were selected taking into account places of residence (town, village). The statistical significance of the differences between the number of people classified into the above-described groups was determined using the χ² test. In the analysed period in groups of girls, a systematic increase in body height was observed. However, in boys, such tendency was found only in rural residents. In the period of 2006–2016, greater changes in BMI were found in girls from rural areas and boys from cities. The opposite observation was recorded in the 2016–2021 period. In the years between 2006 and 2021, the incidence of both underweight and normal BMI decreased, while the incidence of overweight and obesity increased. Our results indicate the need for conducting systematic research assessing the nutritional status of young people living in the Lubelskie and Podlaskie voivodships, as well as an in-depth analysis of the causes of malnutrition and undertaking educational activities.

The efficacy of randomised controlled trials of guided and unguided self-help interventions for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in young people: A systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Guided and unguided self-help prevention and treatment interventions for eating disorders delivered via traditional book format or internet delivery have been widely researched, but no reviews have focused specifically on young people. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy of randomised controlled trials of self-help interventions for eating disorders in young people with a mean age between 13 and 24 years.

METHODS

A total of 8 intervention groups across 7 publications of self-help interventions which were prevention and treatment trials for eating disorders, were identified (N = 985 participants; mean pooled age = ∼19 years).

RESULTS

There was a significant very small effect (pooled g = -0.17) of self-help interventions at post-treatment which was non-significant at follow-up (pooled g = -0.14). No evidence of publication bias was found.

LIMITATIONS

There were limitations of the review, including a lack of active treatment comparisons, a small number of trials included, and few studies included an age range.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this preliminary meta-analysis suggest very small but significant effects, however further studies are required to determine whether self-help approaches are effective for prevention and treatment of eating disorder symptoms in young people. Future meta-analyses should include a larger number of trials, and younger age range of children to examine the efficacy of self-help interventions for eating disorders in young people.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Validation of the Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) into Spanish and Catalan

The Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) explores the factors that bolster and interfere with developing and maintaining a positive body image during adolescence. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the PBIAS into Spanish and Catalan. A cross-sectional study was conducted for the instrument's translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation. A process of translation, back-translation, expert consultation, and piloting was followed. The reliability and statistical validity were evaluated. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 in both the Spanish and Catalan versions. Pearson's correlation coefficients were statistically significant (r > 0.087) for all items analyzed. The resulting values of the Spanish and Catalan versions indicate a good level of concordance (p < 0.001) with the original questionnaire, the comparative fit index being 0.914 and 0.913, the Tucker-Lewis index being 0.893 and 0.892, the root mean square error of approximation being 1.31 and 1.28, and the standardized root mean square residual being 0.051 and 0.060, respectively. The instrument presents a good level of internal consistency, a high level of reliability, and statistical validity compared to the original instrument. The PBIAS in Spanish and Catalan can be a useful assessment instrument for educators and health professionals in the context of adolescent mental health literacy. This work contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 3) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Clinical and physical characteristics of thinness in adolescents: the HELENA study

PURPOSE

Thinness in adolescence has not been studied as extensively as overweight or obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and health impacts of thinness in a European adolescent population.

METHODS

This study included 2711 adolescents (1479 girls, 1232 boys). Blood pressure, physical fitness, sedentary behaviors, physical activity (PA), and dietary intake were assessed. A medical questionnaire was used to report any associated diseases. A blood sample was collected in a subgroup of the population. Thinness and normal weight were identified using the IOTF scale. Thin adolescents were compared with adolescents of normal weight.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fourteen adolescents (7.9%) were classified as being thin; the prevalence rates were 8.6% in girls and 7.1% in boys. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in adolescents with thinness. The age at the first menstrual cycle was significantly later in thin female adolescents than in those with normal weight. Upper-body muscular strength measured in performance tests and time spent in light PA were significantly lower in thin adolescents. The Diet Quality Index was not significantly lower in thin adolescents, but the percentage of adolescents who skipped breakfast was higher in adolescents with a normal weight (27.7% vs 17.1%). Serum creatinine level and HOMA-insulin resistance were lower and vitamin B12 level was higher in thin adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Thinness affects a notable proportion of European adolescents with no physical adverse health consequences.

Eating and Body Image Disturbances in Adolescence and Substance Use Throughout Young Adulthood: Findings from the Australian Temperament Project

We investigated whether eating and body image disturbances in mid-adolescence were associated with substance use in young adulthood. Participants (n = 1566) completed the drive for thinness, bulimic behavior, and body dissatisfaction subscales from the Eating Disorder Inventory during adolescence (15–16 years), and reported frequencies of substance use (tobacco, cannabis, binge drinking, other illicit substances) across young adulthood (19–20, 23–24, and 27–28 years). Adolescent body dissatisfaction was associated with a 10% increase in the rate of binge drinking and tobacco smoking, with effects being of similar magnitude in men and women, and across young adulthood. The association between bulimic behavior and tobacco smoking was strongest in the earlier years of young adulthood (19–20 years). Relationships between cannabis use, bulimic behavior, and body dissatisfaction were evident in men only. Findings highlight important targets for prevention programs, as well as focused monitoring efforts to identify individuals at risk of later substance use.