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

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The next part <strong>of</strong> this review will explore the relevance <strong>of</strong> body image to the<br />

understanding <strong>of</strong> disordered eating before linking this with emotional processing.<br />

Body image<br />

Body image will be defined and the problems with negative body image/body image<br />

dissatisfaction, and its relation to disordered eating and emotional processing, will be<br />

considered.<br />

Body image dissatisfaction is defined as subjective dissatisfaction (negative thoughts and<br />

feelings) with one’s physical appearance and is associated with disordered eating<br />

(Littleton and Ollendick, 2003). Of the correlates, protective factors and risk factors<br />

identified in disordered eating research, body dissatisfaction is recognised as the single<br />

strongest predictor <strong>of</strong> eating disorder symptomatology among women (Polivy and<br />

Herman, 2002). Adolescent females reporting disordered eating had a significantly higher<br />

concern for appearance, (Croll et al, 2002). In Croll et al’s (2002) study, 73% reported<br />

having strong appearance concerns, compared with 39% <strong>of</strong> females not reporting<br />

disordered eating.<br />

High levels <strong>of</strong> body dissatisfaction have been found to be common among western<br />

females. To illustrate, Williams and Currie (2000) sampled over 1,800 Scottish<br />

schoolgirls and found 45% <strong>of</strong> the 11-year-old girls and 54% <strong>of</strong> 13-year-old girls were<br />

dissatisfied with their body size. A UK study <strong>of</strong> 609 schoolgirls aged 15-16 revealed that<br />

56% <strong>of</strong> girls ‘felt too fat’ and had used some form <strong>of</strong> weight control strategy. Interviews<br />

confirmed that those showing unhealthy eating behaviour in the questionnaires did indeed<br />

show greater eating pathology as well as lower self-esteem and greater levels <strong>of</strong> global<br />

self-dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction with their physical appearance and family<br />

relationships, (Button, 1998).<br />

91

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