Thesis (M.S.), Eastern Illinois University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-39).

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This thesis deals with factors which may be related to faulty body image in anorexic, bulimic, overweight, and non-eating-disordered (ED) women. It was found that anorexic, bulimic, and overweight women overestimated their body sizes whereas non-eating-disordered controls were accurate regardless of assessment method. Additionally, ED women had slimmer notions of average, normal-healthy, ideal and own ideal sizes than did controls. For controls and successful dieters, the larger one perceived oneself to be the larger were one's selection of references sizes; this was not found for anorexic and bulimic women, nor for unsuccessful dieters. Successful dieters in a weight loss program had more accurate body images and selected larger references than did unsuccessful dieters. Body size confrontation resulted in more accurate body image and in more positive attitudes toward dieting in anorexics.

Eating disorders are a significant health concern due to their high rates of comorbidity, mortality, and the physical and mental distress they cause. While many people are aware of the negative effects eating disorders have on physical and mental health, few realize that suicide is a potential outcome. Although the relationships between eating disorders and suicidality have been examined in clinical populations with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, these relationships have not been examined in the general population, nor with binge eating disorder. This study aimed to investigate these relationships in the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiologic Surveys (CPES, N=20,013), a large, nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. Logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals with a history of each eating disorder reported higher rates of suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Rates of suicide experiences among this population are similar to individuals with a history of major depression and a comorbid anxiety disorder. It is clear from this study that suicide remains a significant concern for individuals suffering from an eating disorder in the general population. It is essential that clinicians screen for suicide experiences in individuals suspected of suffering from an eating disorder.

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric profiles and admission data of black South African females with white South African females on admission to the Eating Disorder Unit at Tara the H. Moross Centre. A total of 20 eating disorder patients between the age range of 13 and 29 years admitted to the Tara between the periods 1998-2004 were studied. Of the 20 patients, 5 black and 5 white patients with a DSMIV diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa were used; and 5 black and 5 white patients with a DSMIV diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa. Psychometric profiles of each patient were established through the use of the EDI (Eating Disorder Inventory) the BITE (Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh) and the BECK Depression Inventory. Admission data consisted of age, race, sex, occupation, home language, province of residence, diagnosis, period of onset, year of admission, admission weight, goal weight, height, body mass index, own ideal weight, highest past weight, lowest past weight, amenorrhea (duration). All admission and psychometric measurements indicated no significant difference between culture groups for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Hence, it is seems as if the psychometric profiles of hospitalised eating disorder patients are similar despite racial/ethnic differences and that black South African females also have similar admission data as white females. / M.Soc.Sc. (Clinical Psychology) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004

Eating disorders are known for their chronic and relapse-ridden course. The cyclical nature of these disorders poses not only grave physical and mental health risks for the sufferer; it also presents serious challenges for the treating professionals and places a high demand and cost on the health care system. In spite of extensive research, no reliable predictors of long-term EDs have been identified in either adult or adolescent populations, nor have treatments emerged that are specifically targeted towards treating those with a long-term ED. It is fundamental to understand who is at risk and what factors are involved in long-term EDs, as the clinical and treatment implications gleaned from this evidence could be quite impactful. The current project will include three studies that will explore long-term EDs in a large transdiagnostic sample of adolescents with an ED. It will also attempt to overcome methodological limitations associated with past studies of this type, and apply an operational definition of this course of illness that may provide a more reliable and valid method with which to identify these cases. As such, the use of the term refractory ED, defined as a return to same-type treatment, will be applied to best identify this group. The three studies proposed in this research project will provide long overdue information on predictors, profiles and growth trajectories of those adolescents who suffer from a refractory course of an ED. This research project attempts to answer the question of: who will be affected, and how will the individual be affected by a refractory ED. With the ability to identify these cases and how the course of illness is being affected, treatment approaches can better aim to provide the appropriate treatment to those individuals most at risk of suffering from a refractory course of illness.

Eating disorders are a significant health concern due to their high rates of comorbidity, mortality, and the physical and mental distress they cause. While many people are aware of the negative effects eating disorders have on physical and mental health, few realize that suicide is a potential outcome. Although the relationships between eating disorders and suicidality have been examined in clinical populations with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, these relationships have not been examined in the general population, nor with binge eating disorder. This study aimed to investigate these relationships in the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiologic Surveys (CPES, N=20,013), a large, nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. Logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals with a history of each eating disorder reported higher rates of suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Rates of suicide experiences among this population are similar to individuals with a history of major depression and a comorbid anxiety disorder. It is clear from this study that suicide remains a significant concern for individuals suffering from an eating disorder in the general population. It is essential that clinicians screen for suicide experiences in individuals suspected of suffering from an eating disorder.

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