Objective: Few studies have examined the impact of weight gain on body image disturbance (BID) in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aims to explore the evolution of body distortion and body dissatisfaction following inpatient treatment.
Method: Sixty-four women suffering from AN enrolled in our inpatient Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy programme and undertook a body image perception test and completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Thirty-four participants completed a total of four evaluations over a three-month period.
Results: Patients' weight gain following treatment was significant. Weight regain was accompanied by significant reductions in both body distortion and body dissatisfaction. These reductions were complemented by improved scores for both EDI Drive for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction. Perceived body image differed significantly between the onset and the completion of inpatient treatment whereas ideal body image did not.
Discussion: The high severity of the included patients and the significant attrition rate should limit our conclusions for a subgroup of patients. New approaches are needed to facilitate changes in the way patients assess their ideal body image.