Body Image and Food Habits in Anorexia Nervosa: An Integrative Review of the Literature

This is an integrative review of the literature that aims to investigate the constructs of body image and eating habits in anorexia nervosa (AN). The examined databases were MedLine, LILACS and PsycINFO in the period between 2005 and 2009. Most of the studies were non-experimental and descriptive, from international sources. The results showed that the personality of women with AN is permeated by low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority and inadequacy, insecurity, perfectionism and obsessiveness. These are factors that cause high inhibition and social withdrawal, and that influence body image distortion and the acquisition of dysfunctional eating habits. In conclusion, it is highlighted the need of an interdisciplinary treatment and the development of new national experimental studies seeking to understand the relationship between the constructs.