Influence of peer context on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating pathology in women and men

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders 2012-12, Vol.45 (8), p.982-989
• Main Authors: Forney, K. Jean, Holland, Lauren A., Keel, Pamela K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; body dissatisfaction; Body Dysmorphic Disorders - diagnosis; Body Dysmorphic Disorders - psychology; Body Dysmorphic Disorders - therapy; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Bulimia Nervosa - diagnosis; Bulimia Nervosa - psychology; Bulimia Nervosa - therapy; Diet; Diet, Reducing - psychology; eating disorder risk; Eating disorders; Female; Friends; Humans; Male; Men; Pathology; Peer Group; Peers; Prevention programs; Psychometrics - statistics & numerical data; Self image; Sex Factors; Social Facilitation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thinness - psychology; Women; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.22039

Objective: This study examined the influence of peer context on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating pathology in women and men. Method: Secondary analyses were conducted using survey data from a large community sample of women and men (N = 2,060). Results: The frequency of friend comments on weight and diet moderated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating pathology such that more frequent comments strengthened the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating pathology in women. This effect was not significant in analyses of men. Instead, friend comments were directly related to eating pathology in men. Discussion: Both women and men may benefit from peer‐led interventions, with the greatest potential benefits for women with high body dissatisfaction, consistent with results from selective peer‐led prevention programs in sororities. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)