The role of body dissatisfaction and bingeing in the self-esteem of women with Type II diabetes

This study investigated the impact of body dissatisfaction and binge eating on self-esteem in women with Type II diabetes. The relationship of body di ssatisfaction and bingeing to perceived blood glucose control was also asse ssed, Questionnaires were completed by a total of 215 women: 125 women with Type II diabetes and 90 comparison women, who were roughly matched for age , education, and ethnicity. When actual weight (BMI) was statistically cont rolled, there was no difference between the groups in body dissatisfaction or bingeing behavior: The women with diabetes, however had significantly lo wer self-esteem. Further bingeing made a significant contribution to their self-esteem, in contrast to the women without diabetes. For the women with diabetes, body dissatisfaction and bingeing were also related to perceived blood glucose control, although only bingeing remained significant when bot h variables were entered into the regression equation. It was concluded tha t diabetes broadens the domains of body dissatisfaction which are related t o self-esteem.