A hypothesised model of disordered eating in overweight women

This thesis found that predicted risk factors for disordered eating were similar for overweight and non-overweight women. However, overweight women reported more stigmatisation and body shame, had a higher risk for developing an eating disorder, and were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a subclinical/clinical eating disorder than non-overweight women. The portfolio presents four case studies demonstrating the considerations and challenges of psychologically assessing and treating individuals with chronic health conditions.

The relationship between primary and secondary control and eating behaviour

Two studies were conducted investigating Australian women's management of their life goals. Although engagement with goals was generally positive for psychological well-being, the propensity to disengage from appearance-related goals was beneficial for body image and protective against disordered eating, suggesting strategies for promoting goal disengagement in women with eating disordered behaviour. The portfolio presents four case studies reviewing empirical research demonstrating the efficacy of adjuvant psychological therapy in relieving psychological distress in cancer patients.

Biopsychosocial life-span perspective of menopause

Examines the role of biological, psychological and social factors within the individual menopausal experiences of women and the aging process. Sexual function, well-being, role, interpersonal relationships and body image were researched in a series of thre studies in a community sample of women aged 35 to 65 years.

A prospective study of diet quality and mental health in adolescents

Objectives: A number of cross-sectional and prospective studies have now been published demonstrating inverse relationships between diet quality and the common mental disorders in adults. However, there are no existing prospective studies of this association in adolescents, the onset period of most disorders, limiting inferences regarding possible causal relationships.
Methods: In this study, 3040 Australian adolescents, aged 11–18 years at baseline, were measured in 2005–6 and 2007–8. Information on diet and mental health was collected by self-report and anthropometric data by trained researchers.
Results: There were cross-sectional, dose response relationships identified between measures of both healthy (positive) and unhealthy (inverse) diets and scores on the emotional subscale of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), where higher scores mean better mental health, before and after adjustments for age, gender, socio-economic status, dieting behaviours, body mass index and physical activity. Higher healthy diet scores at baseline also predicted higher PedsQL scores at follow-up, while higher unhealthy diet scores at baseline predicted lower PedsQL scores at follow-up. Improvements in diet quality were mirrored by improvements in mental health over the follow-up period, while deteriorating diet quality was associated with poorer psychological functioning. Finally, results did not support the reverse causality hypothesis.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of diet in adolescence and its potential role in modifying mental health over the life course. Given that the majority of common mental health problems first manifest in adolescence, intervention studies are now required to test the effectiveness of preventing the common mental disorders through dietary modification.

An evaluation of equivalence in body dissatisfaction measurement across cultures

We evaluated gender-based and cross-cultural equivalence of the Body Dissatisfaction Scale of the Body Change Inventory in a sample of 4,005 adolescents from 7 cultures that represent diverse body image ideals and response styles. Results of multigroup confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated equivalence of the scale across gender but not across cultures. Follow-up analyses identified small but significant cross-cultural differences in response styles (specifically, acquiescence and middle response option endorsement) as the source of this noninvariance. We recommend use of this scale for gender-based comparisons but caution that researchers should evaluate the presence of response biases before making substantive conclusions about cross-cultural differences in body dissatisfaction.

Intergenerational differences in food, physical activity, and body size perceptions among African migrants

We assessed intergenerational differences in food, physical activity, and body size perceptions among refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa living in Victoria, Australia. We used a qualitative design and obtained data from 48 participants (18 individual interviews; 3 semistructured focus groups). Three major themes emerged: (a) food and physical activity, (b) preference of body size and social expectations, and (c) perceived consequences of various body sizes. For parents, large body size was perceived to equate with being beautiful and wealthy; slimness was associated with chronic illness and poverty. Parents adopted strategies that promoted weight gain in children. These included tailored food practices and restricting children’s involvement in physical activity. For young people, slimness was the ideal body size endorsed by their peers, and they adopted strategies to resist parental pressure to gain weight. Obesity-prevention programs in this subpopulation need to adopt a multigenerational approach.

A comparison of the psychological outcomes of cosmetic surgical procedures

Studies of psychological outcomes of cosmetic surgery generally provide low standards of evidence due to significant methodological limitations and few studies have explored the outcomes of surgery types other than breast reduction or have compared post-operative outcomes for different surgery types. This study therefore aimed to explore the psychological outcomes and post-operative satisfaction of cosmetic surgery and compare the outcomes and satisfaction of participants undergoing different procedures.

Surveys were administered to a sample of 142 elective cosmetic surgery patients prior to surgery and six months after surgery. The surveys included standardised measures of body image (appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, body areas satisfaction), self-esteem, and mental health (psychiatric disturbance, anxiety, depression, dysmorphic concerns).

The findings revealed high rates of post-operative satisfaction and significant improvements in several dimensions of body image (appearance evaluation and body area satisfaction) and mental health (anxiety, depression, and dysmorphic concerns), but not self-esteem. Breast augmentation patients reported significantly higher improvement on appearance evaluation, significantly higher ratings of how likely they thought it was that they had achieved, or would achieve, what they were looking for in having the procedure, and a trend to report that the overall result of surgery was better than or as expected than rhinoplasty patients.

It is recommended that future research clarifies the degree to which self-esteem and indices of mental health improve after cosmetic surgery and fully establishes the impact of different procedures on psychological outcomes.

State body dissatisfaction and social interactions : an experience sampling study

To date, there has been limited empirical scrutiny of the correlates and consequences of day-to-day state body dissatisfaction fluctuations within naturalistic contexts. We used ecological momentary assessment (a form of naturalistic observation) to evaluate whether state body dissatisfaction was concurrently and/or prospectively associated with occurrence and quality of social interactions. Women (N = 121), aged 18 to 40, completed a brief trait-based survey and then nominated a 7-day period within which to receive seven text messages daily, at random intervals, prompting them to complete measures of body dissatisfaction at that moment. If they were currently or had recently engaged in social interactions, they were also asked to fill out questions rating the quality of these interactions (operationalized in terms of enjoyment of, and control in, the interaction). Findings suggest that the relationship between state body dissatisfaction and aspects of social interactions is complex and may vary over time. Cross-sectionally, state body dissatisfaction and social interaction quality were negatively associated. Prospectively, however, body dissatisfaction predicted subsequent avoidance of social interactions. Interestingly, when women chose to avoid social interactions, their body dissatisfaction worsened, yet when they did engage in social interactions, they reported improved body satisfaction. Importantly, the links between state body dissatisfaction and social interactions may be moderated by body mass index and trait body satisfaction levels. Potential mechanisms underlying the association between state body dissatisfaction and quality and quantity of social interactions are discussed, and future research avenues are proposed to further understand their inter-relation.

A test of the resource security and the body mass index reference point hypotheses of body dissatisfaction amongst adolescents in eight countries

Objective. 

Qualidade de vida em gestantes no contexto na Estratégia Saúde da Família

The pregnancy as a process in woman's life requires several biological, psychological, relational and socio-cultural changes for the preparation for motherhood. By modifying its capacity and, at the expense of these factors, it is observed that the physical, social and emotional problems experienced by women during pregnancy can affect their quality of life, especially related to health. It had as objectives of this research verifying the quality of life of women in the context of the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in Paraíba, in order to characterize the sociodemographic aspects, lifestyle habits, and obstetric care of pregnant women and to characterize the fields of quality of life of pregnant women according to the WHOQOL-bref. This is a descriptive exploratory study with cross-sectional and quantitative approach. The population consisted of 120 pregnant women in primary care in the municipality of Sousa-PB. Data collection occurred over a period of two months by the own master's degree student and two nursing students in applying a standard form about sociodemographic characteristics, and obstetric care and the WHOQOL-bref instrument. The data collected were organized into an electronic database of the Microsoft Excel application, coded, tabulated and presented in tables, charts and figures with their respective percentage distributions. Of the surveyed, the predominant were age group of 20 to 25 years, Catholic religion, with a steady partner, low education, no employment, wage income of 01 minimum wage. As for the data and obstetric care, almost all had never aborted and reported to the care received as excellent. The most frequent complaints were back pain and in lower abdomen. Regarding quality of life according to the WHOQOL-bref, dissatisfactions that predominated in the areas were in the physical pain and discomfort, sleep, rest, energy and fatigue. In the psychological domain, body image and appearance, memory, concentration and negative feelings. In the field of social relationships, sexual activity and the environment domain, the greatest dissatisfaction with facets scored: financial resources, leisure opportunities and transport. It is concluded that the quality of life of the users interviewed were deemed unsatisfactory for these facets, indicating that assistance to this target audience should be done comprehensively and holistically, in order to accommodate the affected facets to improve the quality of life pregnant women attended in primary care

Assessment of Quality of Life and Psychologic Aspects in Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life (QoL) and psychological aspects in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).METHODS: This cross-sectional self-report study was conducted among 54 women. Validated questionnaires assessed QoL (WHO-QOL-bref), symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]).RESULTS: Most patients rated overall QoL as good (44.44%) anti were satisfied with their health status (42.59%). Mean QoL domain score was lowest for psychologic health (53.86 +/- 21.46) and highest for social relationships (65.74 +/- 22.41). BDI mean was 15.81 +/- 11.15, indicating dysphoria. STAI means were 46 +/- 6.46 for trait-anxiety and 43.72 +/- 4.23 for state-anxiety, both evidencing medium-high anxiety. Among employed patients, environment domain mean was the highest (p = 0.024). Presence of children resulted in lowest means for physical health (p = 0.041) and environment (p = 0.045). Patients desiring children showed significantly higher means for physical health (p = 0.004), psychological health (p = 0.021) and environment (p = 0.003). Chemotherapy had no significant influence on QoL (p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: This study evidenced psychological impact on GTD patients, suggesting specialized care centers should provide psychological interventions during treatment and follow-up of GTD patients, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. (J Reprod Med 2009;54:239-244)

Historical aspects of Belly Dance and its practice in Brazil

Dance is regarded as one of the oldest art forms, which is based on evidence from prehistoric paintings found in caves; man expressed himself through body language prior to the development of spoken and written forms of communication. Dance was then used during important events, common to their era and culture, and often in religious rituals, to ensure good harvests - their economic activity. Belly-dance appeared approximately eight thousand years B. C. E. as a sacred dance firstly practiced by priestesses, and after that, it was popularized amongst women from Mesopotamia. Virtually considered an ancient form of physical exercise, it is still practiced by Bedouin women as a preparation for spontaneous delivery. In Brazil, belly-dance is widely practiced and our corporal culture enables its learning and improvement, resulting in professional dancers.

A comparative study of cytoarchitecture and serotonergic afferents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of primates (Cebus apella and Callithrix jacchus) and rats (Wistar and Long Evans strains)

The suprachiasmatic nucleus, an essential diencephalic component of the circadian timing system, plays a role in the generation and modulation of behavioral and neuroendocrine rhythms in mammals. Its cytoarchitecture, neurochemical and hodological characteristics have been investigated in various mammalian species, particularly in rodents. In most species, two subdivisions, based on these aspects and considered to reflect functional specialization within the nucleus, can be recognized. Many studies reveal a typical dense innervation by serotonergic fibers in this nucleus, mainly in the ventromedial area, overlapping the retinal afferents. However, a different pattern occurs in certain animals, which lead us to investigate the distribution of serotonergic afferents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the Capuchin monkey, Cebus apella, compared to the marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, and two Rattus norvegicus lines (Long Evans and Wistar), and to reported findings for other mammalian species. Our morphometric data show the volume and length of the suprachiasmatic nucleus along the rostrocaudal axis to be greatest in C. apella > C. jacchus > Long Evans ≥ Wistar rats, in agreement with their body sizes. In C. apella, however, the serotonergic terminals occupy only some 10% of the nucleus' area, less than the 25% seen in the marmoset and rats. The distribution of the serotonergic fibers in C. apella does not follow the characteristic ventral organization pattern seen in the rodents. These findings raise questions concerning the intrinsic organization of the nucleus, as well as regarding the functional relationship between serotonergic input and retinal afferents in this diurnal species. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sexualidade e envelhecimento na percepção de pessoas idosas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The importance of sensing one's movement in the world for the sense of personal identity

Within philosophy and cognitive science, the focus in relation to the problem of personal identity has been almost exclusively on the brain. We submit that the resulting neglect of the body and of bodily movements in the world has been detrimental in understanding how organisms develop a sense of identity. We examine the importance of sensing one’s own movements for the development of a basic, nonconceptual sense of self. More specifically, we argue that the origin of the sense of self stems from the sensitivity to spontaneous movements. Based on this, the organism develops a sense of “I move” and, finally, a sense of “I can move”. Proprioception and kinesthesis are essential in this development. At the same time, we argue against the traditional dichotomy between so-called external and internal senses, agreeing with Gibson that perception of the self and of the environment invariably go together. We discuss a traditional distinction between two aspects of bodily self: the body sense and the body image. We suggest that they capture different aspects of the sense of self. We argue that especially the body sense is of great importance to our nonconceptual sense of self. Finally, we attempt to draw some consequences for research in cognitive science, specifically in the area of robotics, by examining a case of missing proprioception. We make a plea for robots to be equipped not just with external perceptual and motor abilities but also with a sense of proprioception. This, we submit, would constitute one further step towards understanding creatures acting in the world with a sense of themselves.