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Self-Esteem and Binge Eating among Adolescent Boys and Girls: The Role of Body Disinvestment

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  • Stefania Cella

    (Observatory on Eating Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Viale Ellittico, 31-81100 Caserta, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Annarosa Cipriano

    (Observatory on Eating Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Viale Ellittico, 31-81100 Caserta, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Cristina Aprea

    (Observatory on Eating Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Viale Ellittico, 31-81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Paolo Cotrufo

    (Observatory on Eating Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Viale Ellittico, 31-81100 Caserta, Italy)

Abstract

Although low self-esteem and body disinvestment have been recognized as potential risk factors for disordered eating, no studies have explored how these factors may work together to predict binge eating in adolescents. Therefore, we hypothesized a path model for girls and boys separately to investigate whether the body’s investment dimensions (feelings towards the body, physical touch, body care, body protection) mediate the relationship between self-esteem and binge eating, and age moderate such relationships. Participants were 1046 Italian students aged between 11 and 19 years (472 girls, M age = 14.17; 574 boys, M age = 14.60) screened through self-report measures. Both models showed an acceptable fit (males: χ 2 (22) = 30.441; RMSEA = 0.026; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.97; SRMR = 0.023; females: χ 2 (22) = 34.723; RMSEA = 0.35; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.029). Negative body feelings and reduced body protection fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and binge eating, regardless of gender. Our findings highlight the importance of interventions promoting body emotional investment to reduce adolescents’ vulnerability to binge eating.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Cella & Annarosa Cipriano & Cristina Aprea & Paolo Cotrufo, 2021. "Self-Esteem and Binge Eating among Adolescent Boys and Girls: The Role of Body Disinvestment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7496-:d:594048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brittany Mulders-Jones & Deborah Mitchison & Federico Girosi & Phillipa Hay, 2017. "Socioeconomic Correlates of Eating Disorder Symptoms in an Australian Population-Based Sample," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marzieh Abdoli & Marco Scotto Rosato & Avinash Desousa & Paolo Cotrufo, 2024. "Cultural Differences in Body Image: A Systematic Review," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Concetta De Pasquale & Martina Morando & Silvia Platania & Federica Sciacca & Zira Hichy & Santo Di Nuovo & Maria Catena Quattropani, 2022. "The Roles of Anxiety and Self-Esteem in the Risk of Eating Disorders and Compulsive Buying Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, December.

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