Adolescent Negative Body Image Studied

(June 6, 2006) -- Rhode Island researchers say adolescents with negative body image concerns are more likely than others to be depressed, anxious, and suicidal.

The scientists at Bradley Hospital, Butler Hospital and Brown Medical School said the study results remain the same, even when compared with adolescents suffering other psychiatric illnesses.

Researchers assessed the prevalence and clinical correlates of body image concerns including: body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia, and other clinically significant concerns over shape/weight in adolescent inpatients at Bradley Hospital, the nation's first psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents.

Weight-related BDD is classified as distressing and impairing preoccupations with one's weight and shape.

The study found one third of inpatient adolescents had problematic body image concerns and were more severely ill than other adolescent inpatients in a number of important domains.

Specifically, those with BDD and shape/weight preoccupations had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicide ideation.

"These findings underscore just how central feelings about one's appearance tend to be in the world of teenagers and how impairing these concerns can be," said lead author Jennifer Dyl.

The study appears in the journal Child Psychiatry and Human Development.

Source: EurekAlert

Last updated: 06/06

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