Religiosity, spirituality in relation to disordered eating and body image concerns: A systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to critically examine the existing literature that has reported on the links between aspects of religiosity, spirituality and disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concerns.


METHODS
A systematic search of online databases (PsycINFO, Medline, Embase and Web of Science) was conducted in December 2014. A search protocol was designed to identify relevant articles that quantitatively explored the relationship between various aspects of religiosity and/or spirituality and disordered eating, psychopathology and/or body image concerns in non-clinical samples of women and men.


RESULTS
Twenty-two studies were identified to have matched the inclusion criteria. Overall, the main findings to emerge were that strong and internalised religious beliefs coupled with having a secure and satisfying relationship with God were associated with lower levels of disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concern. Conversely, a superficial faith coupled with a doubtful and anxious relationship with God were associated with greater levels of disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concern.


CONCLUSIONS
While the studies reviewed have a number of evident limitations in design and methodology, there is sufficient evidence to make this avenue of enquiry worth pursuing. It is hoped that the direction provided by this review will lead to further investigation into the protective benefits of religiosity and spirituality in the development of a clinical eating disorder. Thus a stronger evidence base can then be utilised in developing community awareness and programs which reduce the risk.
School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW Australia.
Daniel
D
Akrawi
School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ; Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School- Northern, St Leonards, NSW Australia ; Blacktown/Mt Druitt Clinical School, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2148 Australia.
Roger
R
Bartrop
Department of English, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Ursula
U
Potter
Clinical Psychology Unit, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Stephen
S
Touyz
Body Image; Disordered Eating; Eating Disorder; Religion; Religiosity; Spirituality