Problematic levels of eating disorder (ED) spectrum problems are becoming increasingly pervasive on college campuses, especially among female college students. Research suggests that ED cognitions and a lack of body image acceptance are linked to diminished psychological flexibility (PF), which is linked to ED and other negative health symptoms. Two hundred thirty-six undergraduates completed an online survey, and mediation analyses were conducted. PF fully mediated the relation between ED cognitions and non-specific psychiatric symptoms and partially mediated the link between ED cognitions and ED symptoms. PF also partially mediated the link between body image acceptance and non-specific psychiatric symptoms, but not the relation between body image acceptance and ED symptoms. Findings suggest that clinical symptoms and one’s coping style are both important factors to take into consideration in case conceptualization and treatment, and suggest that therapies such as ACT that target PF may be beneficial in treating ED spectrum problems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the complexities of body satisfaction and maladaptive relationships with food as it related to ethnic identity for college-aged African American women. I explored how maladaptive relationships with food may be moderated by ethnic identity (Rogers-Wood & Petrie, 2010), and associated with concerns for body image ideals (Capodilupo & Kim, 2013; Cheney, 2011;) or concerns related to health (Di Noia et al., 2009; Rich & Thomas, 2008). The sample consisted of 189 undergraduate and graduate African American women at a southeastern university in the United States, with a mean age of 22.87. Analyses of correlations suggested that maladaptive eating was associated with low body satisfaction and high concerns for appearance. Findings also suggested that higher levels of ethnic identity were associated with lower levels of body satisfaction. Body satisfaction was inversely related to body mass index. There was no significant relationship between ethnic identity and maladaptive eating. Higher levels of ethnic identity were associated with lower levels of health consciousness. Body image satisfaction and concerns for appearance were positively correlated with health consciousness. Multiple regression analyses indicated significant moderating effects of ethnic identity only for the relationship between maladaptive eating and health consciousness. Ethnic identity moderated the relationship between maladaptive eating and health consciousness particularly for women with low levels of ethnic identity, while accounting for body mass index and body image concerns. Clinical implications for addressing body image concerns, maladaptive eating, and concerns about health with African American women are discussed.

Background: Intestinal diseases that can cause a person to receive a stoma may include colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe experiences of living with intestinal stoma. Method: A qualitative literature study in which eleven scientific articles have been analyzed according to Fribergs (2006a) analysis model. Result: The result was based on two categories which are experiences of altered body image, and experienced changes in social life. The result showed that patients with stoma felt that their body image changed and it was hard to accept the altered body image and thereby self image. Difficulties in controlling emissions, odor and leakage contributed to the experience of loss of control with limited social life as a result. The stoma also resulted in a change in everyday life which required careful planning. The sexual activity was affected due to altered body image. Despite the constraints of everyday life support, a functioning self care and acceptance contributed to a better quality of life. Conclusion: It can be concluded it's clear from the result that it is important for the patient to receive accurate information both before and after ostomy to get an adequate picture of what it means to live with a stoma. By supporting the patient and customizing information and creating a patient-centered care quality of life can significantly improve.

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Fat talk refers to the negative, evaluative conversations that women have with each other about their bodies (e.g., "I'm so fat!"). These comments are often driven by negative self-evaluations and engaging in fat talk leads to negative health-related outcomes for the individual. Grounded in confirmation theory, the current research sought to uncover the role of communication in moderating the relationship between fat talk and health-related outcomes (i.e., mental health, body image, and weight management) by focusing on perceptions of both dysfunctional and functional responses to fat talk. Participants were young adult female friendship dyads (N = 239 dyads) who completed a number of measures including fat talk, depression, bulimia, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, dieting, and exercise. Statistical analyses included multilevel modeling and actor partner interdependence modeling. Results revealed that fat talk was associated with most of the health-related outcomes, even after controlling for BMI and different responses from a friend. Engaging in excessive conversations about weight with a friend (i.e., co-rumination) was positively associated with bulimia, drive for thinness, and body dissatisfaction. Showing warmth and attentiveness during conversations about weight (i.e., acceptance) was associated with lower levels of depression and bulimia. Pushing a friend to change her thoughts and habits (i.e., challenge) was associated with lower levels of body dissatisfaction. None of the interaction terms yielded significant results, indicating that responses to fat talk (either positive or negative) did not moderate the relationship between fat talk and the health-related outcome variables. This research highlights the importance of understanding fat talk as a communication process that may be driven by and result in intra-individual outcomes.

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This study examined the influence of acculturation on disordered eating attitudes and behaviours of Afro-Caribbean women living in Canada. 134 Afro-Caribbean women, aged 18-35 years, completed an online questionnaire evaluating body satisfaction, two indices of acculturation, adaptation and maintenance, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. One domain of acculturation, Canadian cultural adaptation, was found to moderate the relation between body satisfaction and disordered eating: Those who most strongly identified with Canadian culture had the strongest relation between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating and attitudes. Disordered eating attitudes and behaviours were reported most often in individuals with high Canadian cultural adaptation and identification with Canadian values. Suggestions for further research and clinical implications are discussed

A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used to research men's experience with attempting to achieve an 'ideal' masculine body. The current North American 'ideal' male body, media and cultural influences, a continuum of exercise and dieting behaviours, steriod use, addictions, eating disorders were presented as factors that may provide insight into this phenomenon. Eight male research participants were interviewed in regards to their experiences with attempting to achieve an 'ideal' masculine body. A dramaturgical life story approach to interviewing was ued. A follow-up interview was conducted to allow each research participant to comment on the emerging themes shared by the researcher. The nine themes that emerged from the participants' stories are: (1) I am not good enough, (2) judging genetics, (3) spiraling into obsession, (4) extreme commitment, (5)join the club, (6) no one understands me, (7)control, (8) it's all an optical illusion, and (9) overcoming the obsession. The results of this thesis combined with the literature suggest the following three conclusions. First, men who attempt to achieve an ideal masculine body may be vulnerable to external messages about their bodies. Second, pre-existing personality traits and/or mental health issues may contribute to this vulnerability. Third, some men may attempt to deal with complex mental health issues by taking their 'frustrations' and 'aggression' out in the gym, rather than by seeking counselling. The implications for helping professionals are discussed. The limitations of this approach are acknowledged and directions for future research are suggested. / ix, 126 leaves ; 29 cm.

Body-related envy is an understudied emotion that may be linked with adverse psychophysiological outcomes such as stress (Smith & Kim, 2007). The purpose of this study was to explore body-related envy and psychophysiological response of stress among young adult females. Participants (N = 47; Mage = 21.6 ± 1.8 yrs) completed a weeklong assessment of phenomenological body-related envy, trait body image constructs and an acute laboratory stress-induction task. Findings support the hypothesis that negative body image constructs predict experiences of body-related envy (R2 = 0.17 - 0.54), and that envy can be reliability assessed using phenomenological ratings. Body-related envy was a significant predictor of psychological appraisals of stress (R2 = 0.24 - 0.31), but the proposed associations with physiological stress were not supported. Considering the adverse health outcomes associated with envy (Smith, et al., 1999) and stress (Anderson, 1998), this study has important implications for women’s psychological and physical health.