Dysregulation of kynurenine metabolism is related to proinflammatory cytokines, attention, and prefrontal cortex volume in schizophrenia

Etiological models of eating disorders (EDs) describe body dissatisfaction (BD) as one of the major influences fostering dysfunctional body-related behavior and disordered eating behavior. BD is influenced by repeated exposure to thin ideals that evoke high self-ideal discrepancy and result in body-related cognitive distortions such as thought-shape fusion body (TSF-B). The aim of the study was to investigate the covariation of daily media exposure and the experience of TSF-B in a naturalistic setting. It was further analyzed whether TSF-B is associated with self-ideal discrepancy, dysfunctional body-related behavior and disordered eating behavior. Moreover, person-related predictors of TSF-B were explored. Altogether 51 healthy female students (mean age 21.06 years, SD=1.76) participated in an ecological momentary assessment study with 4 daily surveys during 10 consecutive days. Exposure with thin ideals in contrast to exposure to unspecific media contents went along with the experience of TSF-B. TSF-B was associated with higher self-ideal discrepancy, dysfunctional body-related behavior as well as more pronounced disordered eating behavior, suggesting that TSF-B is a common phenomenon in young healthy females' everyday life. A main effect of trait measures (e.g. preexisting BD) on TSF-B was observable, but no moderating effect. Thus, a specific vulnerability has not been detected.