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Distinctiveness and significance of body dissatisfaction and overvaluation among Latinx/Hispanic and White men and women
Author(s) -
Lydecker Janet A.,
Cotter Elizabeth W.,
Grilo Carlos M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.23413
Subject(s) - psychopathology , optimal distinctiveness theory , ethnic group , psychology , body mass index , disordered eating , overweight , binge eating , association (psychology) , depression (economics) , demography , eating disorders , clinical psychology , medicine , social psychology , sociology , anthropology , economics , psychotherapist , macroeconomics , pathology
Objective To examine the distinctiveness and significance of two body image constructs, dissatisfaction with weight and shape and overvaluation of weight and shape, with respect to eating disorder psychopathology, weight, and depression in White and Latinx/Hispanic men and women. Methods Participants were White ( n = 1,941) and Latinx/Hispanic ( n = 568) adults living in the United States who completed an online battery of established measures of body image, eating disorder psychopathology and behaviors, and depression. Results Two body image constructs, dissatisfaction with weight and shape and overvaluation of weight and shape, were related to each other but showed some important distinctions in their associations with eating‐ and weight‐related variables. Significantly greater proportions of White than Latinx/Hispanic individuals reported co‐occurring dissatisfaction and overvaluation, and significantly greater proportions of Latinx/Hispanic than White individuals reported dissatisfaction alone. Ethnicity moderated the association of dissatisfaction and overvaluation with body mass index (BMI), and the association of overvaluation with depression. Ethnicity also had a main effect on binge‐eating frequency. Conclusions Dissatisfaction and overvaluation were distinct among both Latinx/Hispanic and White individuals. However, associations with eating‐ and weight‐related variables varied between ethnicities, suggesting a need for further research on the influence of cultural variables on body image and eating disorder psychopathology.