Thesis
Does weight matter?: prospective examination of premorbid body weight as a predictor of eating pathology
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Feb 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7216
Abstract
Despite years of research on eating disorders, their persisting prevalence suggests limited efficacy of current prevention efforts and establishes the need for the identification of additional risk and maintenance factors. Predominant conceptualizations of eating disorders have placed continued emphasis on psychosocial factors associated with eating pathology. As such, the role of actual body weight has received limited attention, and relevant relationships between these factors and eating disorder development remain elusive. Preliminary evidence has identified elevated premorbid body weights in eating disorder patients, suggesting that these individuals may be biologically predisposed to higher weights and that this predisposition may be a factor relevant to subsequent eating disorder development. The current study sought to examine whether higher premorbid body weights prospectively predict subsequent clinical status in a sample of female eating disorder inpatients. By examining body weight in relation to subsequent symptom severity, the current study sought to establish premorbid body weight as a factor relevant to the development of eating pathology. Results indicated a significant relationship between highest premorbid z-BMI and self-reported Eating Concerns at treatment intake, though this relationship was not significant when accounting for current BMI. There was also a marginally significant interaction between premorbid z-BMI and current weight, such that those with a higher current BMI and a history of relatively lower highest premorbid z-BMI exhibited the greatest eating and weight concerns. These finding suggest a potential combined influence of current and historical weight in the role of Eating and Weight concerns.
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Details
- Title
- Does weight matter?
- Creators
- Alexandra F. Muratore - DU
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7216; 991014632328804721