Health state, eating and body image disorders among beauticians

Health state, eating and body image disorders among beauticians Introduction: Beauticians are considered as risk populations for eating disorders and body image disorders, as their work is closely related to beauty and fashion. Aim: The aim of the authors was to examine whether eating and body image disorders occur more frequently among beauticians than in control subjects. Methods: Eating disorders were assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test, Eating Behaviour Severity Scale, and body image measures included the Human Figure Drawings Test, the Body Dissatisfaction Subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory, the Body Attitudes Test, and the Body Investment Scale. The study sample included 56 beauticians from Transylvania and 59 from Hungary. These groups were compared with control groups including 57 subjects from Transylvania and 54 subjects from Hungary. Questionnaire data were analysed. Results: The occurrence of weight reducing methods such as binge eating was significantly more prevalent in the beautician groups than in controls. Subclinical eating disorders were more frequent in the Transylvanian beautician group. Conclusions: Clinical and subclinical eating disorders occur more frequently in beauticians than in control subjects. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 665-670.