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Published on: May 14, 2018
Differences between women with anorexia nervosa and restrained eaters on shape and weight concerns, self-esteem, and
1School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. simon.wilksch@flinders.edu.au
Objective:
The current study examined the relation among shape and weight concerns, domain-specific self-esteem, dietary restraint, and depression.
Method:
Women with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 19), restrained eaters (n = 20), and unrestrained eaters (n = 21) completed measures of shape and weight concerns, depression, and self-esteem.
Results:
Women with AN had significantly higher shape and weight concerns and lower self-esteem than restrained eaters. However, once depression was controlled, these significant differences disappeared on all but the morality self-esteem subscale. Unrestrained eaters had significantly lower shape and weight concerns and higher self-esteem than restrained participants both before and after depression was controlled.
Discussion:
Shape and weight concerns and low self-esteem are associated with dietary restriction. However, results from the current study suggest these two variables may not be the primary driving forces behind extreme dietary restriction.
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