Assessment of body size estimation: a review

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The overestimation of body size has been suggested to play an important role in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa. It has been assessed in a variety of ways and the aim of this review is to present a comprehensive and critical appraisal of body size estimation in eating disorders. The review starts by classifying the different methods used to assess the estimation of body size, and considers factors that have been shown to influence it. The signal detection approach to body size estimation is examined and the impact of body size estimation on treatment outcome is reviewed. It is concluded that the significance of body size estimation research in the understanding and treatment of eating disorders can only be determined by combining ecologically valid assessment methods with state-of-the-art interventions.