Cognitive processes in dieting disorders

Abstract

This study is an empirical investigation of the prevailing notion that dieting disorder patients have more dysfunctional cognitions and cognitive styles than the nonclinical population. Groups of anorexics, bulimics, normal restrainers, and normal nonrestrainers completed three questionnaires and two repertory grids. Overall, the data supported a cognitive model of dieting disorders. Patients exhibited a lack of awareness of the role played by inner sensations in regulating weight and eating behavior, and emphasized black and white rules instead. Anorexic patients tended to evaluate self‐worth almost entirely in terms of self‐control. Both patient groups evidenced extreme negativity in their views of themselves, but anorexics showed a particularly severe sense of self‐isolation. Unlike bulimics, they extended a tendency to think in absolute terms from the area of eating to the rest of their lives. Thus, the psychopathology of the anorexic patient group appeared more severe than that of bulimics. © 7993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Differences between women with anorexia nervosa and restrained eaters on shape and weight concerns, self‐esteem, and depression

“…Before depression was considered, women with AN scored higher than restrained eaters who scored higher than unrestrained eaters on all measures of shape concern and weight concern, consistent with research by Cooper and Turner (2000). Before depression was considered, women with AN scored significantly lower than restrained eaters on all domains of self-esteem, apart from scholastic and athletic competence, consistent with findings of other researchers (Butow, Beumont, & Touyz, 1993). Restrained eaters only had significantly lower mean scores than unrestrained eaters on physical appearance and global self-esteem.…”

Food for thought: Cognitive regulation of food intake

“…To date, few studies have attempted to examine the exact content of restrained eaters' cognitions as compared to those of unrestrained eaters (Butow, Beumont & Touyz, 1993;French, 1992;Hickford, Ward & Bulik, 1997;Jansen, Merckelbach, Oosterlaan, Tuiten & Van den Hout, 1988) and only two of these have related these cognitions to actual eating behaviour, i.e. food intake in a taste test.…”

Weight-related Teasing, Dysfunctional Cognitions, and Symptoms of Depression and Eating Disturbances

“…Supporting these theories, studies have found that anorexics and bulimics tend to view their body as larger than it actually is, be obsessed with their body and bodily functions, and perceive minor bodily flaws as large imperfections (Brouwers, 1988;Fairburn et al, 1998). In addition, studies have found that individuals with eating disorders have more dysfunctional eating-related cognitions than do individuals without these disorders (Butow, Beumont, & Touyz, 1993), and these cognitions contribute to the maintenance of disordered eating patterns .…”