The experience of ‘feeling fat’ in women with anorexia nervosa, dieting and non-dieting women: an exploratory study

✍ Scribed by Myra J. Cooper; Kavita Deepak; Elizabeth Grocutt; Emma Bailey

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 110 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1072-4133
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.785

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objective

To provide a preliminary, systematic exploration of some features associated with the experience of ‘feeling fat’.

Method

Women with anorexia nervosa (N = 16), women who were dieting (N = 15) and non‐dieting women (N = 17) took part in a semi‐structured interview.

Results

Feeling fat was common in all three groups of women. It was associated with distress, negative emotions, internal and external body sensations, images in a range of modalities, negative self beliefs and a first memory of feeling fat. Differences specifically characteristic of those with anorexia nervosa were identified, including feeling fatter, greater associated distress, more negative emotions, greater ‘emotional’ belief in cognitions, a richer experience, an earlier first memory, greater strength of negative self beliefs and a link to restricting behaviour. Some qualitative data are reported.

Conclusions

The experience of feeling fat can be ‘unpacked’ in a way that may be useful in cognitive therapy for those with anorexia nervosa. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.