Altered religious practice in patients with eating disorders

Abstract

Alteration in the religious practice of 20 patients hospitalized for treatment of an eating disorder were studied by means of a Religious Attitudes Questionnaire and by psychiatric history. The patients as a group were observant with only one (5%) claiming no religious affiliation. Two‐thirds of the patients who regularly participated in Communion decreased their frequency of reception (p < .01) because of fear of the calories in the Communion elements. Attendance at church or synagogue activities where food was present was significantly decreased (p < .005). In contrast, participation in fasting activities increased. We conclude that (1) religious practice is significantly altered by the presence of an eating disorder requiring hospitalization, (2) the fear of fatness pervades even the existential and spiritual life of eating disorder patients, cutting them off from a potential source of support, structure and comfort, (3) considerations of the religious activity of psychiatric patients are often neglected in history taking and treatment.

Experimental Evidence that Theistic‐Religious Body Affirmations Improve Women's Body Image

“…There are rich historical treatments of links between religion, body, and eating (e.g., Bemporad 1996; Bynum 1987; Keel and Klump 2003; Lelwica 1999; Miles 1995; Vandereycken and van Deth 1994). There are also several studies of women diagnosed with body image or eating disorders who have used their religious beliefs to justify or perpetuate their illness (see Banks 1997; Ford 1992; Graham, Spencer, and Andersen 1991; Joughin et al 1992; Morgan, Morgan, Marsden, and Lacey 2000). These historical and clinical cases suggest that the dynamics between religion and women's body image have a long and complicated history.…”

Religious belief and anorexia nervosa

“…However, they recognize problems with comparisons to the general population and found no significant differences between the two samples for the distribution of religions. Lastly, Graham, Spencer, and Andersen (1991) have recently shown evidence of altered religious practice associated with eating disorders, and underlined the importance of considering subjects' religious beliefs in their assessment and management.…”

An exploration of the role of religion and spirituality in the treatment and recovery of patients with eating disorders.

“…Multiple participants in Study 2 used religious principles to rationalize disordered eating behaviors. Religious teachings being used to justify disordered eating and maintain perfectionism standards have been reported in other research (Banks, 1992, 1997; Boyatzis & Quinlan, 2008; Brytek-Matera & Schiltz, 2013; Franczyk, 2014; Graham et al, 1991; Marsden et al, 2007; Richards et al, 2007). Some participants also mentioned that bullying within their own religious communities prompted or perpetuated their disordered eating.…”

“…These statements are strengthened by research that has found women who feel loved and accepted by God have less disordered eating (Homan & Boyatzis, 2010;Homan & Lemmon, 2014). It was also discovered that participants altered religious practices to support eating disorder behaviors, a finding that has been common in interviews with other patients with eating disorders (Boyatzis & Quinlan, 2008;Brytek-Matera & Schiltz, 2013;Franczyk, 2014;Graham, Spencer, & Andersen, 1991;Marsden et al, 2007).…”