Ten-year time trends in mental and physical health correlates of weight/shape overvaluation

Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2019 Sep;27(5):531-540. doi: 10.1002/erv.2672. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationships between weight/shape overvaluation, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional role impairment (days out of role [DOR]) in the general population over 11 years.

Method: Five cross-sectional surveys of men and women representative of the South Australian population were conducted in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2015, and 2016 (ntotal = 15,140). Data were collected on demographics, overvaluation, HRQoL, DOR, and eating disorder behaviours.

Results: Between 2005 and 2016, the prevalence of moderate overvaluation increased from 18.1% to 40.0%, marked overvaluation from 7.5% to 23.7%, and extreme overvaluation from 3.1% to 9.2% (all p < 0.001). Overvaluation at any level was associated with more DOR in 2005 but not in 2016, and the association between HRQoL impairment and overvaluation weakened over time.

Conclusion: Although the population prevalence of overvaluation has increased significantly in the past decade, the impairment associated with it appears to have reduced.

Keywords: eating disorder behaviours; epidemiology; health-related quality of life; role impairment; weight/shape overvaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Australia
  • Body Image / psychology*
  • Body Weight*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / trends*
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Role