Relation between body appreciation, eating disorder risk, emotional distress, and BMI among a group of Egyptian subjects

Abstract

Background: Body image appreciation is an important psychological aspect for all individuals of all ages which affects their psychological, personal, and social well-being. Objectives: Examining the relationship between disordered eating tendencies, body appreciation, body mass index (BMI), and emotional distress among individuals who follow and seek psychological services from the non-profit entitative Egyptian eating disorders initiative EEDI and an online therapy platform. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 301 healthy participants with no past medical or psychiatric history was conducted. Participants completed an online survey including demographic data, BMI, and three measures: The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaires. Results: Participants with disordered eating tendencies — according to EAT-26 — had lower BAS scores (p < 0.001) and higher DASS depression, anxiety, and stress scores (p < 0.001). EAT-26 was negatively correlated with age (p = 0.003) and BAS (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, it was positively correlated with the three DASS scales (p < 0.001). BAS was negatively correlated with body mass index and the three DASS scales (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Body appreciation decreases with increased disordered eating tendencies and BMI. Depression, anxiety, and stress are associated with a decrease in body appreciation.