DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Ineffective avoidance coping strategies include eating disorders but also disordered eating
such as overeating, self-harm or drug and alcohol use. Moreover, ACT concludes that
acquiring an accepting posture towards a negative body image may also prevent one from
acting on dissatisfaction and engaging in behaviours that make eating problems more
likely.
Summary and Conclusions
Disordered eating, although not a clinical diagnosis, has been studied in relation to its risk
for the later development of eating disorders i.e. AN and BN or the development of an
overweight or obese Body Mass Index. There is much literature about the negative
consequences of having an eating disorder or being overweight or obese. An association
between disordered eating and later eating problems and the accompanying
consequences, has been supported by numerous studies (e.g. Stice, 2005, Kotler, 2001).
Body image dissatisfaction was recognised as the single strongest predictor of eating
disorder symptomatology among women (e.g., Polivy et al 2002), but neuroticism, body
surveillance and the eating patterns of friends and family are identified moderators in that
relationship (Tylka, 2004). Body image dissatisfaction is considered widespread in the
current climate of the slim ideal but how one deals with this dissatisfaction is presumably
an important moderator in the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and
disordered eating.
Indeed, how one deals with either body image dissatisfaction or other potential predictors
of eating problems will moderate this relationship. Disordered eating in adolescence does
not of course always lead to later eating problems. The protective factors and moderating
factors suggested include attaining certain life roles such as motherhood (Keel et al,
2007) or accepting that dissatisfaction with image is normal (in ACT terms) (Sandoz and
Wilson, 2006).
101