Does warm weather climate affect eating disorder pathology?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine whether residing in a year-round warm weather climate is related to eating disorder pathology.


METHODS
College females from a southeastern and a northeastern region of the United States were compared on body mass index, the Bulimia Test-Revised, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Females residing in the southeastern region were of significantly lower body weight, engaged in more frequent bulimic behaviors (e.g., bingeing and inappropriate compensatory behaviors), and displayed significantly greater concern regarding their body shape compared with the females residing in the northeastern region.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings obtained in this study indicate that residing in a warm weather climate may produce a heightened risk for development of eating disorder pathology.
Sloan
Denise M
DM
Department of Psychiatry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA. dsloan@temple.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002980:Climate; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology