Models of eating disorders: A theoretical investigation of abnormal eating patterns and body image disturbance

Abstract

Research focused on body image issues has increased since the mid-twentieth century. Distortions in size perception, as well as body dissatisfaction, related to eating disorders, refer to body image disturbance. In this paper, the multidimensional model of eating disorders, the sociocultural model of the development of eating pathology, the 'transdiagnostic' theory and treatment of eating disorders, and the reward-centred model for the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa have been described. In the first three models, body dissatisfaction has been found to play a relevant role. The fourth is presented as a transtheoretical model of eating disorders, which was created based on a review of previous studies.