Exploration of the body representation system (BRS) from kinaesthetic illusions in fMRI has revealed a complex network composed of sensorimotor and frontoparietal components. Here, we evaluated the degree of maturity of this network in children aged 7-11 years, and the extent to which structural factors account for network differences with adults. Brain activation following tendon vibration at 100Hz ('illusion') and 30Hz ('no illusion') were analysed using the two-stage random effects model, with or without white and grey matter covariates. The BRS was already well established in children as revealed by the contrast 'illusion' vs 'no illusion', although still immature in some aspects. This included a lower level of activation in primary somatosensory and posterior parietal regions, and the exclusive activation of the frontopolar cortex (FPC) in children compared to adults. The former differences were related to structure, while the latter difference reflected a functional strategy where the FPC may serve as the 'top' in top-down modulation of the activity of the other BRS regions to facilitate the establishment of body representations. Hence, the development of the BRS not only relies on structural maturation, but also involves the disengagement of an executive region not classically involved in body processing.
Background: Excessive Gestational Weight Gain is a global public health problem with serious and long-term effects on maternal and offspring health. Early identification of at-risk groups and interventions is crucial for controlling weight gain and reducing the prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain. Currently, tools for predicting the risk of excessive gestational weight gain are lacking in China.
InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a psychological disorder defined by a pathological belief that one lacks muscularity and has excess body fat. To date, treatment research on MD has been sparse. We conducted a pilot feasibility and acceptability study investigating the preliminary efficacy of an 8-week telehealth cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for adults with diagnosed MD.
Research has found that high social media use is associated with a greater tendency to compare oneself with others, which in turn may heighten body image concerns and problematic eating behaviours. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the mean association between online social comparison and body image concerns, eating disorder behaviours and positive body image. Eligible articles published between 2008 and 2024 were searched for in scientific databases.
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune condition, in which body image may be altered due to a range of biopsychosocial factors. The aim of this review was to examine whether there is a relationship between body image and psychological outcomes in MS, in order to guide clinical intervention development.
Methods: PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL and Scopus databases were searched systematically in November 2023 for eligible studies, using terms relating to MS and body image.
Background: Eating disorders are illnesses that can seriously impair the health and wellbeing of patients. Written emotional disclosure has been recognized as a therapeutic technique that may be helpful in aiding patients' emotional and psychological adjustment. However, it is unclear what favorable effects eating disorder patients can derive from written emotional disclosure therapy.
