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Examining the relationship between religious orientation and eating disturbances
Melissa H Smith1, P Scott Richards, Christopher J Maglio
1Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. mhs@email.byu.edu
Eating Behaviors
|April 20, 2004
Summary
This study explored religion and eating concerns, finding a link between religious orientation and eating attitudes in college and eating disorder patients. Extrinsically oriented individuals, especially those with bulimia nervosa, showed notable patterns.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Religion Studies
Background:
- Empirical research increasingly examines the connection between religious beliefs and eating disorders.
- Understanding the nuances of religious orientation in relation to eating concerns is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between eating attitudes and religious orientation using a fourfold typology.
- To explore these associations in both subclinical college populations and clinical eating disorder patient samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a fourfold typology of religious orientation to categorize participants.
- Examined eating attitudes across different religious orientation groups.
- Included both a subclinical college student sample and a clinical inpatient sample.
Main Results:
- A curvilinear relationship was identified between religious orientation and eating attitudes.
- This pattern was observed in both the subclinical and clinical populations.
- Extrinsically oriented individuals, particularly those diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, exhibited significant associations.
Conclusions:
- Religious orientation is significantly associated with eating attitudes and concerns.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering religious factors in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, especially bulimia nervosa.