Body image disturbances and associated psychological troubles in anorexia nervosa : underlying mechanisms and regulation by adapted physical activity
The present doctoral research aims to investigate body image disturbances and associated psychological troubles, in patients with anorexia nervosa as compared to healthy controls, and to examine the impact of sociocultural factors on the emergence of the aforementioned troubles, as the effects of an adapted physical activity program (APA) on their regulation. Study 1 indicates that body dissatisfaction of women without eating disorders (ED) increases significantly according to age and shape, enlightening the role of body image in women’s health in Western societies. Study 2 shows that anorexics present significantly more body dissatisfaction and significantly higher scores of social physical anxiety and depression, but also a global self-esteem and a global physical self significantly lower, as compared to women without ED. Study 3 reveals that social comparison and social messages internalization are more relevant in anorexics than in women without ED. However, we observed no significant effect of thin ideal priming on body dissatisfaction and ideal body size in both groups. Finally, Study 4 shows that, even if APA program reveals no significant effect on body image disturbances and associated psychological troubles, it does not interfere negatively with the therapeutic treatment for anorexia nervosa. These results are then discussed and perspectives of research are presented.