Body image of chronic dieters

Nutrition Research Newsletter, Nov, 2004

Body image dissatisfaction, especially among women, has become so prevalent that it is commonly termed a normative discontent. Negative body image may be caused by the individual's internalization of the culture's over-valuing or objectification of a thin body ideal, which in turn may increase feelings of body shame and decrease awareness of internal bodily states, that is, hunger and satiety cues In a recent national survey, over half of the women polled held an unfavorable view of their appearance. There are several theories that attempt to explain the construct of body image and the complex process of body image formation. This study was conducted to compare the body image of a group of female chronic dieters with that of reference norms. Based on research suggesting that body image dissatisfaction can precipitate weight-loss efforts, the investigators hypothesized that female chronic dieters would possess lower body image scores than their age and sex-matched reference norms.

The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire is a 69-items self-report inventory for the assessment of serf-attitudinal aspects of the body image construct. This instrument was developed to assess cognitive, behavioral, and affective components of body image. All of the participants in the present study (n=32) met the criteria for chronic dieting syndrome by indicating their (a) persistent overconcern with body shape and weight, (b) restriction of food choices for at least 2 years or more, and (c) continual dieting to achieve weight loss without success or with success but with weight regain.

Chronic dieters were similar to the reference women in all categories except actual body weight and body mass index (BMI), which were significantly higher among chronic dieters. Chronic dieters had significantly lower appearance evaluation, lower body satisfaction, and higher self-classified weight than the reference population. Thus, chronic dieters were more concerned about their appearance, were less satisfied with their bodies, and rated their weight heavier than reference norms.

The motivation to diet usually arises from concerns about shape and weight, especially fears about being or becoming fat. Similar concerns were expressed by the participants of the present study as determined by their negative appearance evaluations. A majority of the study participants (70%) indicated a negative appearance evaluation. Self-classified weight was higher than reported for reference norms, but actual weight was also higher than for reference norms. Self-classified weight correlated positively with actual weight, BMI, body fat, and percent body fat among chronic dieters. What cannot be discerned given this particular study design is whether chronic dieting leads to weight gain or whether overweight women are more likely to diet for purposes of weight loss.

In conclusion, chronic dieters may possess beliefs about their appearance and body size that support weight-loss efforts, regardless of their actual body weight and health status. Practitioners working with chronic dieters need to be aware of the factors that precipitate body image dissatisfaction and to explore with their clients how these issues may affect food choices, that is, dietary fat restriction for weight loss, increase in binge eating, or decrease in awareness of internal bodily states. In this group of chronic dieters, there existed what might be described as body image dissatisfaction and weight-loss inertia or immobility. Concerns have been raised about the long-term effectiveness of weight-loss dieting and possible negative health consequences of losing and regaining weight. Thus, a shift in focus from losing weight to healthful living regardless of size (that is, increased physical activity; increased intake of fruit, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates) may prove beneficial by providing an option to chronic dieting, thus possibly increasing the likelihood for positive behavior change.

J Gingras, J Fitzpatrick, L McCargar. Body Image of Chronic Dieters: Lowered appearance evaluation and body satisfaction, JADA 104:1589-1592 (October 2004) [Correspondence: Jacqui Gingras, MSc, RID, The Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction, University of British Columbia, 309-2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V67 1Z4, Canada. E-mail: jgingras@interchange.ubc.ca].