Associations Between Body Appreciation and Disordered Eating in a Large Sample of Adolescents

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2020 Mar 18

PMID 32178334

Citations 31

Authors

Migle Baceviciene

Rasa Jankauskiene

Affiliations

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Abstract

Body appreciation is one of the main facets of a positive body image. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2-LT) and test the associations between body appreciation and disordered eating in a large sample of adolescents of both genders. The sample consisted of 1412 adolescents (40.2% were boys). The ages ranged from 15 to 18 years (92.4% were 17), with a mean age of 16.9 (SD = 0.5) for girls and 17.0 (SD = 0.4) for boys. Participants completed the BAS-2-LT alongside the measures of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, body mass index, self-esteem, body functionality, and participation in sports. Linear regressions were used to test the associations between study variables and disordered eating. BAS-2-LT replicated the original one-dimensional structure in girls and boys. Invariance across genders was established. The instrument showed good internal consistency and temporal stability. Body appreciation was negatively correlated with higher levels of body mass index, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating. Positive associations were observed between body appreciation, self-esteem, body functionality, and sports participation. Higher levels of body appreciation decreased the risk of disordered eating behaviors in both genders. The results of the present study support the psychometric properties of BAS-2-LT. Body appreciation is associated with lower disordered eating in adolescent girls and boys. These findings present empirical support for the development of interventions programs that promote positive body images and aim to prevent disordered eating in adolescent boys and girls.

Citing Articles

The relationship between body appreciation and weight-related health behaviors among Chinese adolescents.

Zhong Y, Chen Y, Wang M, Lu B, Shen T, Hu J Front Psychol. 2025; 16:1484077.

PMID: 39944036 PMC: 11815592. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1484077.

Associations Between Body Appreciation, Body Weight, Lifestyle Factors and Subjective Health Among Bachelor Students in Lithuania and Poland: Cross-Sectional Study.

Kriaucioniene V, Gajewska D, Raskiliene A, Myszkowska-Ryciak J, Ponichter J, Paulauskiene L Nutrients. 2024; 16(22).

PMID: 39599725 PMC: 11597667. DOI: 10.3390/nu16223939.

Appearance Comparison, Body Appreciation, and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: Roles of Gender, Age, and Body-Mass Index.

Zheng Q, Chen M, Hu J, Zhou T, Wang P Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2024; 17:3473-3484.

PMID: 39398356 PMC: 11471100. DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S483375.

Evaluating the Impact of the Nirvana Fitness and Functional Training Programs on Young Women's State Body Appreciation and Its Correlates.

Jankauskiene R, Balciuniene V, Rutkauskaite R, Pajaujiene S, Baceviciene M Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(16).

PMID: 39201190 PMC: 11353370. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161632.

Analysis of Factors Contributing to State Body Appreciation during Exercise.

Baceviciene M, Bliujute K, Jankauskiene R Behav Sci (Basel). 2024; 14(8).

PMID: 39199086 PMC: 11351326. DOI: 10.3390/bs14080690.

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