Effect of Body Image on Health Outcomes in Individuals with Weight-related Disorders

Weight related disorders are on the rise in the United States with a prevalence rate for anorexia nervosa of 0.6% and obesity of 20%. The increase is attributed to emphasis on body image. Body image is the combined perception of how one feels about their appearance with how others perceive them. The purpose of the integrative literature review was to analyze the effect of body image on individuals with anorexia nervosa and obesity and the mechanisms underlying such. A literature search was conducted through Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, PubMed, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, and DePaul University-Libraries Worldwide databases. Articles were chosen based off whether they defined body image, described how body image plays a role on health behaviors, or explained how body image relates to the pathology of anorexia or obesity. The results of the literature review suggest perception of underweight and overweight individual’s influences behaviors linked to eating disorders. Eating disorders in males and female stem from striving to achieve feminine and masculine ideal bodies. Emotional dysregulation, exposure to unrealistic body standards, poor lifestyle behaviors, and low socioeconomic status are all linked to negative body satisfaction. Psychological and biological processes are implicated in mechanisms underlying body dissatisfaction. Body image dissatisfaction has psychological etiology. Healthcare professionals should assess patients for psychological distress. Future studies should further evaluate body dissatisfaction on weight-related disorders and its impact long-term. Keywords: body image, health outcomes, misperception, obesity, anorexi