Rating body awareness in persons suffering from eating disorders – A cross-sectional study

Abstract In patients with eating disorders (ED) body awareness is of interest and the connection between body awareness and self-esteem has been discussed. The aim was to study the concordance of physiotherapist's (PT) observation and patient's own report of bodily expression in patients with ED. Characteristics of ED patients’ specific bodily expression and implications of the findings for clinical practice were also of interest. Two assessment scales were used, the Body Awareness Scale – Health (BAS-H), based on observations and the Interview Scale Body Ego (ISBE). Total scales and subscales were compared. Altogether 87 ED patients (Total Group, TG) were assessed. Twenty-six patients had anorexia nervosa (AN), 20 bulimia nervosa (BN) and 41 patients ED not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Significant correlations between total BAS-H and total ISBE (r = 0.48–0.57) were found for AN, EDNOS and TG groups. In the subscale centring, correlations were found for all groups (r = 0.42–0.60). In the subscale relations , correlations were found for AN, EDNOS and TG groups (r = 0.43–0.60). The ED patients were characterized by withheld breathing and restrictive expressions of body movements and emotions. Body awareness and self-awareness seemed to be reduced. Body Awareness Therapy might well be offered as a therapeutic tool in establishing a realistic body image.