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Memory Versus Perception of Body Size in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Healthy Controls
Author(s) -
Øverås Maria,
Kapstad Hilde,
Brunborg Cathrine,
Landrø Nils Inge,
Lask Bryan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2276
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , anxiety , confounding , eating disorders , psychology , perception , depression (economics) , meal , clinical psychology , medicine , psychiatry , neuroscience , economics , macroeconomics
The objective of this study was to compare body size estimation based on memory versus perception, in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls, adjusting for possible confounders. Seventy‐one women (AN: 37, controls: 35), aged 14–29 years, were assessed with a computerized body size estimation morphing program. Information was gathered on depression, anxiety, time since last meal, weight and height. Results showed that patients overestimated their body size significantly more than controls, both in the memory and perception condition. Further, patients overestimated their body size significantly more when estimation was based on perception than memory. When controlling for anxiety, the difference between patients and controls no longer reached significance. None of the other confounders contributed significantly to the model. The results suggest that anxiety plays a role in overestimation of body size in AN. This finding might inform treatment, suggesting that more focus should be aimed at the underlying anxiety. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.