Clinical and temperamental correlates of body image disturbance in eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Although body image disturbance (BID) is considered a core symptom in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), little is known about its psychopathological correlates. The present study aimed at analysing the correlation of aspects of BID with psychopathological and temperamental characteristics.


METHODS
A sample of 1288 patients (538 AN and 750 BN) were assessed through a structured diagnostic interview, the Eating Disorders Inventory and Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. Cognition of body image distortion, weight checking, fear of weight gain and body dissatisfaction were assessed by specific questions during the interview.


RESULTS
Various aspects of BID formed similar, but not identical, dimensions in AN and BN. In both groups, anticipatory anxiety and interoceptive awareness were significantly and independently associated with body image distortion, whereas ineffectiveness was associated with weight checking.


CONCLUSIONS
Body image disturbance is a multidimensional characteristic linked to psychological features, such as anticipatory anxiety, ineffectiveness and interoceptive awareness. These findings have scientific and treatment implications, and should be considered by clinicians in adopting successful treatment strategies.
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Italy.
Tatiana
T
Zanetti
Paolo
P
Santonastaso
Eleonora
E
Sgaravatti
Daniela
D
Degortes
Angela
A
Favaro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult