N Tabri1, H B Murray1, J J Thomas1, D L Franko1, D B Herzog2, K T Eddy1. 1. Department of Psychiatry,Massachusetts General Hospital Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program,Boston,MA,USA. 2. Department of Psychiatry,Harvard Medical School,Boston,MA,USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Overvaluation of body shape/weight is thought to be the core psychopathology underlying eating disorders, which propels engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors. In turn, these behaviors lead to binge eating and/or maintenance of low weight thereby reinforcing overvaluation. The present study investigated the reciprocal relationship between overvaluation and engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors (defined in two ways: restrictive eating and compulsive exercise) among women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (N = 237). METHOD: Participants completed clinical interviews in which weekly eating disorder symptoms and behaviors were assessed over 2 years. RESULTS: Overvaluation on a given week was associated with greater engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors during the following week. Further, engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors on a given week was associated with greater overvaluation during the following week. These findings held true regardless of participants' shape/weight concerns (feelings of fatness and fat phobia), and eating disorder diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide empirical support for key aspects of the transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral model of eating disorders and suggest that targeting non-compensatory weight-control behaviors in treatment may help alleviate overvaluation and shape/weight concerns.
BACKGROUND: Overvaluation of body shape/weight is thought to be the core psychopathology underlying eating disorders, which propels engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors. In turn, these behaviors lead to binge eating and/or maintenance of low weight thereby reinforcing overvaluation. The present study investigated the reciprocal relationship between overvaluation and engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors (defined in two ways: restrictive eating and compulsive exercise) among women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (N = 237). METHOD:Participants completed clinical interviews in which weekly eating disorder symptoms and behaviors were assessed over 2 years. RESULTS: Overvaluation on a given week was associated with greater engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors during the following week. Further, engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors on a given week was associated with greater overvaluation during the following week. These findings held true regardless of participants' shape/weight concerns (feelings of fatness and fat phobia), and eating disorder diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide empirical support for key aspects of the transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral model of eating disorders and suggest that targeting non-compensatory weight-control behaviors in treatment may help alleviate overvaluation and shape/weight concerns.
Authors: Andrea B Goldschmidt; Ross D Crosby; Li Cao; Markus Moessner; Kelsie T Forbush; Erin C Accurso; Daniel Le Grange Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2018-02