Body image assessment and treatment in controlled studies of eating disorders

This literature review examined the extent to which body image been assessed and treated in eating disorder treatment programs and the effectiveness of different treatments for body image change.

Published reports of experimentally controlled clinical trials were examined for the use of measures and interventions that concerned body image.

About one third of psychotherapy studies assessed and treated body image. Cognitive behavioral eating disorder programs for bulimia nervosa result in modest body image improvement. Pharmacotherapy seems to be less effective than CBT, though few pharmacotherapy studies assessed body image. Although cognitive restructuring is widely used, behavioral interventions and self-monitoring that target body image have not been reported by most eating disorder programs. Little information is available on body image methods in anorexia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

Given the importance of body image for the development and recovery from eating disorders, more systematic body image work should be incorporated into current treatment.