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Shifting the Focus: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Positive Body Exposure on Body Satisfaction, Body Attitude, Eating Pathology and Depressive Symptoms in Female Patients with Eating Disorders

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  • Marlies E. Rekkers

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Department of Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Campus 2-6, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands)

  • Lisanne Aardenburg

    (GGZ inGeest, Mental Health Institute, Laan van de Helende Meesters 433, 1186 DL Amstelveen, The Netherlands)

  • Mia Scheffers

    (Department of Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Campus 2-6, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands)

  • Annemarie A. van Elburg

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Rintveld, Centre for Eating Disorders, Altrecht Mental Health Institute, 3705 WE Zeist, The Netherlands)

  • Jooske T. van Busschbach

    (Department of Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Campus 2-6, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands
    University Center of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Rob Giel Onderzoekcentrum, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

One of the most commonly used techniques for the treatment of body image problems in eating disorders (ED) is body exposure (BE). However, evidence of its effectiveness in clinical populations is scarce. In the Positive Body Experience (PBE) protocol, the focus of positive BE is on aesthetic, functional and tactile aspects of the body. The current study evaluates the outcomes of positive BE with regard to changes in attitudinal body image and eating pathology, as well as the factors that influence these changes, in a sample of 84 adult female patients with different EDs who did not receive any other treatment for their EDs during the period in which BE treatment occurred. The results show significant positive changes in attitudinal body image, ED behaviors and depressive symptoms, with depressive symptoms at baseline mediating the changes in attitudinal body image. This study indicates that the PBE protocol is a suitable intervention for reducing negative attitudinal body image in anorexia and bulimia nervosa patients, as well as those with binge eating disorder. Furthermore, the results suggest that positive non-weight-related and functional body satisfaction are strong catalysts for change and that depressive symptoms play an important role in the ability to change. Additional RCTs are needed to gain more insight into the effects of PBE.

Suggested Citation

  • Marlies E. Rekkers & Lisanne Aardenburg & Mia Scheffers & Annemarie A. van Elburg & Jooske T. van Busschbach, 2022. "Shifting the Focus: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Positive Body Exposure on Body Satisfaction, Body Attitude, Eating Pathology and Depressive Symptoms in Female Patients with Eating Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11794-:d:918547
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica M Alleva & Paschal Sheeran & Thomas L Webb & Carolien Martijn & Eleanor Miles, 2015. "A Meta-Analytic Review of Stand-Alone Interventions to Improve Body Image," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-32, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bing Feng & Jerney Harms & Emily Chen & Peiyu Gao & Pingwen Xu & Yanlin He, 2023. "Current Discoveries and Future Implications of Eating Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-16, July.

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