Assumptions and beliefs, dieting, and predictors of eating disorder-related symptoms in young women and young men

Journal article

Differences between assumptions and beliefs related to eating disorders were investigated in young women and young men, with and without a history of dieting. The unique predictive power of these assumptions and beliefs was also assessed, compared to generic assumptions and beliefs. Both women and men with a history of dieting scored more highly than those who had never dieted on assumptions related to weight, shape, and eating, but did not differ from this group in negative self-beliefs. Assumptions and beliefs related to eating disorders, as well as female gender, but not body mass index (BMI), history of dieting, or generic assumptions and beliefs, predicted eating disorder-related symptoms. The findings add to knowledge about the relationship between assumptions and beliefs, gender, dieting, and eating disorder-related symptoms. They also support the usefulness of the Eating Disorder Belief Questionnaire (EDBQ), a new measure of eating disorder-specific assumptions and beliefs. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Authors: O'Connor, M; Simmons, T; Cooper, M

• Journal: Eating Behaviors
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-6
• Publication date: 2003-03-01
• DOI: 10.1016/S1471-0153(02)00090-9
• ISSN: 1471-0153
• Language: English
• Keywords: Eating disorders; Dieting; Cognitions