Weight-related and shape-related self-evaluation in eating-disordered and non-eating-disordered women.
OBJECTIVE
Weight- and shape-related self-evaluation refers to the process whereby an individual determines her self-worth based on an evaluation of her body weight and shape. This is a hallmark feature of both anorexia and bulimia nervosa, as specified in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The purpose of this study was to further our understanding of weight-related self-evaluation in eating-disordered women.


METHODS
Eating-disordered patients, restrained eaters, and unrestrained eaters completed an experimenter-designed questionnaire that examines different dimensions of weight-related self-evaluation (i.e., the Multidimensional Weight-Related Self-Evaluation Inventory).


RESULTS
Results revealed that weight-related self-evaluation is a feature shared, to some extent, by both eating-disordered patients and restrained eaters. However, eating-disordered patients extend weight-related self-evaluation to include more domains of self-esteem than did restrained eaters.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support a multidimensional approach to weight-related self-evaluation and further our understanding of the process of weight-related self-evaluation in eating-disordered patients.
McFarlane
T
T
Ambulatory Care for Eating Disorders, Toronto General Hospital, 101 College St., CW1-311, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada. traci@psych.utoronto.ca
McCabe
R E
RE
Jarry
J
J
Olmsted
M P
MP
Polivy
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004435:Eating; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires