Self-Compassion May Have Benefits for Body Image among Women with a Higher Body Mass Index and Internalized Weight Bias.

Negative attitudes towards one's own body are common among women and are linked to adverse consequences including negative affect, low self-esteem, and eating pathology. Self-compassion has been found effective in improving body image; however, few published studies have examined self-compassion in populations with higher BMIs despite the positive correlation between weight and body dissatisfaction. The current study examined the efficacy of a self-compassion letter-writing exercise versus two active control groups in response to a negative body image induction.

Why would I want to be more self-compassionate? A qualitative study of the pros and cons to cultivating self-compassion in individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: Although self-compassion facilitates eating disorder symptom remission, individuals with eating disorders are fearful of developing it and higher fears of self-compassion are associated with poorer treatment outcomes. In-depth exploration of individuals' pros and cons of behaviour change is generally helpful at resolving ambivalence; however, no research has examined the pros and cons individuals with eating disorders perceive to be associated with developing self-compassion, limiting our understanding of their personal experiences when confronted with self-compassion. Given the research suggesting higher resistance to self-compassion development in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), the present study used qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of their perceived pros and cons to self-compassion.

Disordered Eating Among Individuals with Excess Weight: a Review of Recent Research.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review was to examine different forms of disordered eating among individuals with excess weight, including their rates, correlates, and psychosocial treatments.

Recent Findings: Binge eating/binge eating disorder, loss of control eating, emotional eating, and food addiction are all fairly prevalent among individuals with excess weight. They appear to share many of the same correlates, including broader eating disorder psychopathology, body/shape/weight concerns, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.