Relationship between depression and body dissatisfaction in women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa

Objective: Body dissatisfaction and depression have consistently demonstrat ed a positive association in women. This study sought to determine the inde pendence of this association from bulimic symptomatology among women diagno sed with bulimia nervosa. Method: Participants were 101 women who completed a controlled treatment study of bulimia nervosa and participated in follow -up assessments 10 years later Results: Findings indicated that baseline le vels of depression were independent of and superior to bulimic symptoms in prospectively predicting body dissatisfaction at follow-up assessment. Disc ussion: Findings suggest that depression may be a better prognostic indicat or of body dissatisfaction than bulimic symptoms in women diagnosed with bu limia nervosa. A model in which depression represents a contributing factor for the maintenance of body dissatisfaction is discussed (C) 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.