Physical Appearance Anxiety and Eating Disorders Symptomatology

A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21391785
AutoresManuel Alcaraz‐ibáñez (0000-0002-1297-9565, Health Research Centre and Department of Education University of Almería Almería Spain), Adrián Paterna (0000-0002-7561-9487, Research Group InCorpora‐Embodied Education, Department of Didactics of Musical, Artistic and Corporal Expression University of Valladolid Valladolid Spain, autor de correspondencia), Almudena F Diaz‐Carrasco (0009-0008-0416-7752, Department of Didactics of Musical, Artistic and Corporal Expression University of Valladolid Valladolid Spain), Alvaro Sicilia (0000-0001-9436-8743, Health Research Centre and Department of Education University of Almería Almería Spain), Mark D Griffiths (0000-0001-8880-6524, Department of Psychology Nottingham Trent University Nottingham UK)
Año2026
Fecha de publicación2026-04-10
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaScandinavian Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0036-5564 • E-ISSN: 1467-9450
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjop.70097
PMID41960665
OpenAlexW7153311143
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas63

The present study aimed to assess the link between physical appearance anxiety (PAA) and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology by a meta‐analysis of existing literature. Eligible studies were searched across six electronic databases up until November 20, 2025. Pooled effect sizes ( r ) were calculated using random‐effects models. Potential variables that influence effect heterogeneity were analyzed by univariable and multivariable meta‐regressions. Influence analyses and a three‐parameter selection model (3PSM) were used to assess robustness of the results and publication bias. Twenty‐seven effect sizes from 21 studies ( N = 5261) were obtained. The results indicated a strong association (i.e., r = 0.559) between the two variables under consideration, which was notably stronger (i) among females compared to males; and (ii) for overall eating disorder symptoms rather than bulimic symptoms. The results of this study advocate for further investigation into the effectiveness of addressing anxiety responses related to personal body traits, particularly among females, within the context of preventing and treating eating disorders

Anxiety · Association (psychology) · Context (archaeology) · Disordered eating · Eating disorders · Human physical appearance · Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors