The role of drive for thinness in the association between weight status misperception and disordered eating

Weight status misperception is related to disordered eating outcomes, but little research has explored the differential impacts of misperception directionality, nor factors that explain these relationships. Self-Discrepancy Theory applied to body image gives a framework to how weight status over-perception may prompt a drive for thinness, which in turn may be important in the development of disordered eating cognitions and behaviors.

To that end, the current study tested whether drive for thinness may account for the association between direction of weight status misperception and disordered eating behaviors.

Young adults (N = 522) completed measures identifying weight status perception (accurate, under-, and over-perception), drive for thinness, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (appearance satisfaction, restrained, uncontrolled, and emotional eating). Indirect effect models with drive for thinness entered as the intervening variable were estimated for each outcome.

Drive for thinness accounted for the associations between weight status misperception and all outcomes. In general, compared to either accurate or under-perception, over-perception of weight status was associated with more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors via higher drive for thinness.

Consistent with Self-Discrepancy Theory, drive for thinness emerged as a possible mechanism of the association between weight status misperception and disordered eating outcomes. Findings suggest potential utility in targeting drive for thinness, as opposed to accuracy of weight status perception, for prevention of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, including those that may contribute to weight gain.