Body checking, body avoidance, and the core cognitive psychopathology of eating disorders: is there a unique relationship?

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a unique relationship between body checking and avoidance, and the overvaluation of weight/shape in eating disorders (EDs). We sought evidence for the theoretical premise that these behaviours are manifestations of the core cognitive psychopathology of EDs, and support for the inclusion of interventions targeting body checking and avoidance in ED treatment as a means to reducing overvaluation of weight/shape. Three hundred and seventy-one treatment-seeking individuals with EDs completed measures of depression, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, body checking, body avoidance, and overvaluation of weight/shape at pre- and post-day hospital treatment. Body mass index was also calculated. Hierarchical regression revealed that overvaluation of weight/shape predicted body checking and body avoidance over and above the other variables at pretreatment, and changes in body checking and avoidance over the course of treatment predicted changes in overvaluation of weight/shape over and above changes in the other variables. However, the results were stronger for body checking than body avoidance. Overall, the results of this research are consistent with the transdiagnostic model of the maintenance of EDs and lend support to the use of interventions targeting body checking in particular, as a means to targeting the core psychopathology of the disorder.