Relationship between body image and eating disorders

Adolescents face special problems which are less common during childhood. Their self image that is influenced by their body changes during this period could cause eating disorders. The present study was undertaken to asses the relationship between body image and eating disorders among female students in Kerman’s high schools.

Using a correlational study design, 650 female students drawn from high schools were selected. Data were collected through demographic, eating disorders and body image questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Central and distributional indices, T-test, one-way analysis of variance, linear and logistic regression.

Total mean score of body image was 64.02%. The highest scores belonged to the upper part of body such as hair, ears, hands and chest. 6.3% of students had eating disorder, consisting of 1.7% anorexia nervosa, 1.7% bulimia nervosa and 2.9% eating disorder not otherwise specified. Comparison of body image score and type of eating disorders showed significant differences except for anorexia nervosa. Linear regression and logistic regression showed a two-directional relationship between eating disorder variables and body image score. Only BMI was predictive factor for probability of eating disorders (P=0.02).

The relationship between body image and eating disorder is two-directional. Therefore, observing the symptoms of one disorder suggests the probability of the presence of the other one. So educating people like parents and teachers and caregivers by community health nurse regarding nutritional problems can be effective in early diagnosing and identifying such disorders.