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Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Positive and negative appearance-related feedback and weight status
1Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|February 25, 2010
Summary
Women in overweight and obese categories receive fewer positive comments about their weight. Appearance feedback, both positive and negative, impacts self-esteem differently across weight groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Negative appearance-related commentary is common among overweight and obese individuals.
- Existing research highlights the impact of weight status on social interactions and self-perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess negative and positive appearance-related commentary across different weight categories.
- To examine the relationship between appearance feedback and self-esteem in women of varying weights.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the new Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale.
- Assessed 246 women across four weight categories: underweight, average weight, overweight, and obese.
- Conducted correlational analyses to link feedback with self-esteem.
Main Results:
- Overweight and obese women received significantly less positive weight-related comments compared to average and underweight women.
- No significant differences were found in positive non-weight-related comments across weight groups.
- For average weight individuals, less negative and more positive feedback correlated with higher self-esteem.
- For overweight and obese individuals, higher scores on positive feedback subscales were associated with higher self-esteem.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first empirical evidence on appearance feedback levels across weight categories.
- The relationship between appearance comments and self-esteem varies depending on an individual's weight status.
- Findings underscore the nuanced impact of social commentary on body image and psychological well-being.
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