Recent evidence shows that negative body image may be a potential risk factor for symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (ON). However, whether positive body image plays a protective role against symptoms of ON remains unclear. Although prior research has established associations between body appreciation (a core component of positive body image) and ON symptoms, this research is limited to cross-sectional designs, precluding inferences of temporal precedence. Thus, the present study overcomes this limitation by testing whether body appreciation prospectively predicts ON symptoms. Data were analysed from 1253 adult women ( age = 34 years ( = 9.4), 81.3% Caucasian) who completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) and Body Appreciation Scale 2-Short Form (BAS2-SF) at baseline (T1) and at three-month follow-up (T2). Multiple linear regressions were used to test whether body appreciation scores at T1 predicted ONI subscale scores (behaviours, emotions, and impairments) at T2. Results revealed that higher body appreciation scores at T1 significantly predicted decreased scores on each ONI subscale at T2, though effect sizes were small. Findings provide preliminary evidence that body appreciation may protect against ON symptoms. If replicated, efforts to address ON symptoms may be enhanced by promoting body appreciation.

中文翻译：

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身体欣赏可预测神经性厌食症症状的降低：前瞻性研究结果

最近的证据表明，负面的身体意象可能是神经性厌食症 (ON) 症状的潜在危险因素。然而，积极的身体意象是否对视神经症状有保护作用仍不清楚。尽管之前的研究已经建立了身体欣赏（积极身体形象的核心组成部分）和 ON 症状之间的联系，但这项研究仅限于横截面设计，排除了时间优先性的推论。因此，本研究通过测试身体欣赏是否前瞻性地预测 ON 症状来克服这一限制。对 1253 名成年女性（年龄 = 34 岁 ( = 9.4)，81.3% 白人）的数据进行了分析，她们在基线 (T1) 和在三个月随访（T2）。使用多元线性回归来测试 T1 时的身体欣赏分数是否可以预测 T2 时的 ONI 子量表分数（行为、情绪和损伤）。结果显示，T1 时较高的身体欣赏分数可显着预测 T2 时各 ONI 子量表分数的下降，尽管效果较小。研究结果提供了初步证据，表明身体欣赏可以预防 ON 症状。如果复制的话，可以通过促进身体欣赏来加强解决 ON 症状的努力。