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Better psychological health is associated with weight stability in women with eating disorders

Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity volume 14, pages 13–22 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

AIM: To explore the associations between changes in weight, eating disorder psychopathology and psychological distress in a community sample of women with eating disorders over two years. METHOD: One hundred and twenty two women identified with disordered eating in a baseline population survey agreed to participate in a follow-up study, of whom 87 (71%), mean age 28±6.2, completed the two-year follow-up. Body mass index, eating disorder psychopathology, psychological distress, and demographic details were assessed at both time points. RESULTS: Over the two years there was a mean weight gain of 1.76 kg (SD=7.03), 11 (13%) women lost ≧5 kg, 25 (29%) gained ≧5 kg, and 49 (58%) remained weight stable (i.e., within 5 kg of baseline weight). Comparisons between those who had lost, gained and remained weight stable showed few significant differences, however, women who remained weight stable were the least psychologically distressed at baseline and those who lost weight had the greatest reduction in shape concern. Body mass index at baseline, and change in level of binge eating episodes were not associated with weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating behaviours have little influence on weight change over two years in community women with disordered eating. Low levels of psychological distress at baseline may promote weight stability. Concerns about shape are likely to increase with increased weight.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia

    A. Darby & L. Kennedy

  2. School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, New South Wales, 1797, Australia

    P. Hay

  3. Department of Psychology and School of Medicine, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia

    F. Quirk

  4. School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia

    J. Mond & S. J. Paxton

  5. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia

    P. G. Buettner

Authors
  1. A. Darby
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  2. P. Hay
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  3. F. Quirk
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  4. J. Mond
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  5. P. G. Buettner
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  6. S. J. Paxton
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  7. L. Kennedy
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Correspondence to P. Hay.

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Darby, A., Hay, P., Quirk, F. et al. Better psychological health is associated with weight stability in women with eating disorders. Eat Weight Disord 14, 13–22 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327790

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Key words

  • Eating disorders
  • weight
  • psychological distress
  • women