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Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 50 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-35).

Bibliography: pages 159-173. / Previous research into the families of eating disordered individuals appears to have focused almost exclusively on the families of anorexics. In view of the problems associated with the conceptualization of bulimia as a syndrome distinct from anorexia nervosa, it seems possible that research into the families of anorexics may have included the families of bulimics. Following the introductory overview of some of the literature on bulimia, highlighting the lack of diagnostic clarity in this area, previous research into the families of both anorexics and bulimics is reviewed. In view of the lack of documented research into the families of bulimics from a systems perspective, the present study aimed to explore these families' functioning. Family functioning was assessed according to the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (Epstein and Bishop, 1981): clinical interviews with 13 bulimics provided qualitative data on their families' functioning: quantitative data were elicited from the family members of 10 of these bulimics by means of the Family Assessment Device (Epstein and Bishop, 1983). Clinical assessment of the families of bulimics reveals unhealthy family functioning. The ratings of all family members as well as those of the researcher indicate that there is familial dysfunction on all dimensions of family functioning. The main emphases in these families appears to be on instrumental issues, while affective issues are inappropriately handled. Discussion centres on the findings of the present study, which show some variance with the results of previous research into the families of anorexics; and an understanding of bulimia from a systems perspective is presented.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Education. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2007. / "A dissertation in counseling psychology." Advisor: Johanna Nilsson. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed July 30, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-104). Online version of the print edition.

The purpose of this study was to use the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Negative Addiction Scale (NAS) and other measured characteristics to determine differences between consistent runners and sedentary controls. 38 male and 23 female local non-team related runners of more than 9 miles per week were studied. They completed the EDI and NAS. 31 male and 30 female nonexercisers completed the EDI. They were drawn from college classes and participated in less than one hour per week of physical activity. Height, weight and body fat were determined for both groups. As compared with anorectics, none of the EDI subscale averages for runners or controls were higher than the 38th percentile. Body dissatisfaction was less for runners than controls. Females scored higher on drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Female runners scored significantly higher on drive for thinness than all other groups. The mean NAS score was 78 for the females and 74 for the males. Significant body dissatisfaction subscale differences found between runners and controls were probably due to the runners' lower body fat and weight. In looking at the male/female differences, females typically have a stronger concern about weight and are less satisfied with their bodies. It is believed that in the group of runners studied, severe eating disorders did not exist. / Master of Science

After ingesting a moderate amount of food. (e.g., a 7 oz milkshake) which is labeled as high in calories, restrained eaters (dieters) eat more food than unrestrained eaters do. This counter regulatory eating effect may depend on ingesting only a small snack, a prime. The effect of a prime may depend on its palatability and on information about its caloric value. Accordingly, restrained and unrestrained eaters received a low or high palatable prime, and no, low or high calorie information. Dependent measures were salivation and amount of 4 test foods eaten. After subjects ingested the prime, salivation was reliably greater for high than for no calorie information groups, irrespective of restraint. salivation was reliably correlated with calorie information, and with amount of food eaten, for restrained eaters but not for unrestrained eaters. Differences in amount eaten were negligible across groups. However, restrained eaters tended to eat more peanuts than unrestrained eaters did in the low calorie information condition. Based on these and previous data, it was suggested that the effect of calorie information on salivation may have been a consequence of subjects' prior experiences with foods of different caloric values. Possibly, salivation to high calorie information represents a conditioned response to a food that is perceived as palatable and filling. However, responding may be greater for restrained than for unrestrained eaters. Finally, the effect of calorie information on salivation supports the argument against an extreme separation of internal (physiological) and external (environmental) variables. / Master of Science / After ingesting a moderate amount of food. (e.g., a 7 oz milkshake) which is labeled as high in calories, restrained eaters (dieters) eat more food than unrestrained eaters do. This counter regulatory eating effect may depend on ingesting only a small snack, a prime. The effect of a prime may depend on its palatability and on information about its caloric value. Accordingly, restrained and unrestrained eaters received a low or high palatable prime, and no, low or high calorie information. Dependent measures were salivation and amount of 4 test foods eaten. After subjects ingested the prime, salivation was reliably greater for high than for no calorie information groups, irrespective of restraint. salivation was reliably correlated with calorie information, and with amount of food eaten, for restrained eaters but not for unrestrained eaters. Differences in amount eaten were negligible across groups. However, restrained eaters tended to eat more peanuts than unrestrained eaters did in the low calorie information condition. Based on these and previous data, it was suggested that the effect of calorie information on salivation may have been a consequence of subjects' prior experiences with foods of different caloric values. Possibly, salivation to high calorie information represents a conditioned response to a food that is perceived as palatable and filling. However, responding may be greater for restrained than for unrestrained eaters. Finally, the effect of calorie information on salivation supports the argument against an extreme separation of internal (physiological) and external (environmental) variables.

To obtain descriptive information concerning female bodybuilders and women who weight train, a questionnaire concerning training regimes, menstrual history and dieting strategies was developed and administered with the EDI included as part of the questionnaire. Factors assessed included: incidence of menstrual irregularity, scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), prevalence of behaviors associated with eating disorders, and mean body fat. Subjects were between the ages of 18 and 35 and included individuals from Personal Health Classes at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Weight Lifting Club, and Goad's Gym in Blacksburg, Virginia. Subjects were classified by activity (weight lifters versus controls), involvement (high, moderate and low) and competition (noncompetitive and competitive). Chi-square analysis indicated that there was no difference in incidence rates of menstrual irregularity between weight lifters (WLs) and controls (Cs); however, the rates of both groups were higher than the general population. Although there was no difference in menstrual function of involvement groups, 50% of the competitors, significantly more than non-competitors, were classified as oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic. All subject groups had mean scores approaching anorexic patient norms on the EDI Bulimia and Maturity Fears subscales. WLs were significantly higher on Drive for Thinness than Cs and more WLs had subscale scores higher than the mean scores presented for anorexics. Additionally, significantly more WLs reported uncontrollable urges to eat, fear of fat, and history of anorexia. Mean %BF of the WLs was 20.18% with competitors being significantly leaner than non-competitors. The high degree of menstrual dysfunction in both WLs and Cs is confusing; yet, the 27% incidence of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in WLs is much higher than the rates documented for the general population. The high Drive for Thinness and incidence of negative eating behaviors indicate that the prevalence of eating disorders in this population may progress as this relatively new sport evolves and competitive participation increases. / M.S.

This study explored three areas believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis and presenting clinical picture of the eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Measures of personal effectiveness, family dynamics, and traditional sex-role beliefs were assessed in groups of restricted anorexics, bulimic anorexics, normal weight bulimics and controls. Control subjects manifested the highest degree of psychological adjustment, resourcefulness, and self-direction, while restricting anorexics obtained the lowest score on this measure. Bulimics experienced the highest degree of personal effectiveness of the patient groups, with bulimic anorexics falling in-between restricting anorexics and bulimics. Control subjects also reported that they felt more independent, accepted and tolerated in their family than any of the eating disorder groups. Bulimic subjects scored closest to controls on this measure, with bulimic anorexics experiencing the least degree of acceptance, tolerance and independence of all groups. Finally, control subjects defined themselves in a more traditionally masculine role than did any of the eating disorder groups. Restricting anorexics were most likely to describe themselves as passive, submissive, constricted and sensitive; bulimic subjects were more likely to endorse such self-descriptive adjectives as assertive, uninhibited, self-confident and competitive. Bulimic anorexics perceived themselves to be less traditionally feminine than did restricting anorexics, but more than bulimics or controls. The results of this study support the theory that ego deficits contribute to the development of eating disorders.

The incidence of bulimia seems to be increasing dramatically as actors, models, dancers, and college populations are seeking help for this eating disorder. In this study, the Adjective Checklist was administered to 21 bulimic women and 17 normal women to compare personality characteristics on the following scales: abasement, affiliation, autonomy, achievement, aggression, personal adjustment, succorance, and self-control. Results showed bulimic women scored higher on abasement and succorance. A multiple regression was performed which elucidated the scales responsible for the greatest amount of variance. These were aggression, autonomy, and self-control. Further studies of personality measures may aid in describing this population more fully.

Throughout the years, women have been the focus of eating disorders and body image research. With women being the focus of research in these areas, disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have caught the eyes of researchers. With this new discovery, there has been a recent surge of research on body image issues and men. Originally termed reverse anorexia or bigorexia, Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) has gained the attention of researchers for about a decade (Grieve, 2007; Pope, Katz & Hudson, 1993; Pope, Gruber, Choi, Olivardia & Phillips, 1997). The Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI) was created to measure the symptoms of MD and provide clinicians with an inventory that would aid them in the diagnosis and treatment of MD (Short, 2005). The MDI is a 34-item scale that uses the etiological model proposed by Grieve (2007) and assesses or evaluates the four proposed diagnostic criteria of MD (Short, 2005). Short (2005) developed questions using the four criteria of MD outlined by Olivardia (2001). While the MDI has shown good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .87; Short, 2005), no other psychometric properties have been assessed. The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the MDI so that the accuracy of the measure will be known and it may be used as a diagnostic tool in clinical settings. The hypothesis of the study was that the MDI is a reliable and valid measure. This study assessed the reliability and validity of the MDI through a correlational design. Test-retest reliability and Cronbach’s alpha were used to identify the reliability of the MDI. The MDI was compared to tests that measure traits of MD and to self-reported behaviors, which assessed concurrent and predictive validity of the MDI. The MDI appears to be a good diagnostic tool for clinicians to use when looking at MD. This study examined the reliability and the validity of the MDI. This study shows that the MDI has adequate test-retest reliability, and good internal consistency. The results indicate that the MDI has good concurrent validity when compared to other tests that measure symptoms of MD. Under predictive validity, there was some support to suggest that the MDI can predict MD, however, the predictive validity of the MDI needs to be examined more in-depth. The MDI appears to measure more state symptoms of MD than trait symptoms. This may make it easier for clinicians to detect an emerging problem before it becomes harder for the individual to overcome.