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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Physical Appearance Anxiety and Eating Disorders Symptomatology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez1, Adrian Paterna2, Almudena F Diaz-Carrasco3
1Health Research Centre and Department of Education, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
None:
The present study aimed to assess the link between physical appearance anxiety (PAA) and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology by a meta-analysis of existing literature. Eligible studies were searched across six electronic databases up until November 20, 2025. Pooled effect sizes (r) were calculated using random-effects models. Potential variables that influence effect heterogeneity were analyzed by univariable and multivariable meta-regressions. Influence analyses and a three-parameter selection model (3PSM) were used to assess robustness of the results and publication bias. Twenty-seven effect sizes from 21 studies (N = 5261) were obtained. The results indicated a strong association (i.e., r = 0.559) between the two variables under consideration, which was notably stronger (i) among females compared to males; and (ii) for overall eating disorder symptoms rather than bulimic symptoms. The results of this study advocate for further investigation into the effectiveness of addressing anxiety responses related to personal body traits, particularly among females, within the context of preventing and treating eating disorders.
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