BODY-SIZE ESTIMATION IN EATING DISORDERS USING VIDEO DISTORTION ON A LIFE-SIZE SCREEN

Background: The video-distortion method on a life-size screen is one o f the new methods to systematically study the body experience of eatin g-disordered patients. Methods: Using this method, we have studied bod y-size estimation in female patients suffering from eating disorders: anorexia nervosa restricting type (n=87) and mixed type (n=34); bulimi a nervosa (n=44), and a normal control group (n = 45). Subjects had to estimate a neutral object (neutral response) and their own body size: what they think they really look like (cognitive response); what they feel they look like (affective response), and what they want to look like (optative response). Results: No significant differences were fou nd for the neutral and the cognitive response. Eating-disordered patie nts clearly did not overestimate their body size. The different subgro ups showed interesting differences in the degree of discrepancy betwee n cognitive and affective responses, and in the thinness of their body ideal. Conclusions: Researchers should focus on these elements of bod y experience, because they are clinically far more relevant than the s imple question of over/underestimation.