Thesis
Body fat deposition in college-aged women: an investigation of a possible biological predictor of eating disturbance and weight gain
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Mar 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00008547
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest considerable overlap of predictors of weight gain and eating disturbance, particularly bulimic pathology. While psychological predictors have been extensively researched, relatively few studies have focused on biological predictors apart from weight. Prior findings suggest that body weight relative to previous highest weight (weight suppression) predicts weight gain and eating disturbance, but the psychological and biological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unexplored. In the current study, body fat, a biological variable that seems to have both biological (e.g., metabolic) and psychological (e.g., body-image influencing) salience for bulimia nervosa was examined in relation to weight suppression, body image, and eating disturbance in non-eating disordered college-aged women who were followed prospectively for two years. Women with greater fat stores, independently ofBMI, had higher levels of body dissatisfaction, and women with more central fat deposition at baseline were more likely to lose weight and fat over two years. Those who lost weight and fat over two years were more likely to develop eating disturbance over two-year follow-up, and women higher in WS at baseline were more likely to develop compensatory behaviors at two-year follow-up. The results of this study deepen our current understanding of the interplay between biological and psychological risk factors for eating disorders and could inform eating disorder prevention efforts by suggesting that women with higher central fat deposition are more distressed about their appearance.
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Details
- Title
- Body fat deposition in college-aged women
- Creators
- Laura A. Berner
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vi, 94 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021888842904721