Intimate partner violence against women and the adoption of unhealthy weight control practices.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and unhealthy weight control practices (UWCP).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It involved a sample of 847 women aged over 18 years, selected through a probabilistic complex sampling method. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales were employed to assess psychological and physical IPV, while a single question was used to identify UWCP, namely, whether the respondent had ever used laxatives, diuretics, or vomiting to eliminate excess food, or had not eaten or eaten very little food to lose weight or not gain weight. Multivariate logistic and multinomial regression were employed to examine the relationship between exposure to IPV and the outcomes.

Results: The findings indicated that exposure to any form of IPV increases the likelihood of self-induced vomiting, particularly among those exposed to physical IPV (odds ratio [OR] 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-2.16). Additionally, physical IPV increases the odds of skipping meals (OR 1.28; 95%CI 1.05-1.57).

Conclusion: It is therefore recommended that health professionals be aware of this relationship and consider the possibility that patients with eating disorders may be victims of IPV. This will ensure that their treatment and approach are comprehensive and targeted for more effective care.