Disordered Eating and Body Image Concerns in Young Adult Women With Scoliosis

BACKGROUND: Researchers have called for more investigation into disordered eating behaviors in females with scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to assess the associations between body image concerns, disease-specific indicators of scoliosis (ie, age of diagnosis, having undergone bracing treatment, being told by a physician your scoliosis required surgery, having a spinal fusion), quality of life, and disordered eating in a sample of young adult women diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis during adolescence. DESIGN: This study was cross-sectional in design. METHODS: Participants were 177 young adult women ages 18 to 30 years diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis by a physician who completed questionnaires online. RESULTS: Undergoing bracing treatment (r = −.440; P < .001), greater age at scoliosis diagnosis (r = .563; P < .001), being told scoliosis required surgery (r = −.196; P < .050), annual income (r = .306; P < .001), level of education (r = .228; P < .010), and race/ethnicity (r = −.213; P < .050) were associated with the EDE-Q Global Score. The Body Shape Questionnaire Total Score and EDE-Q Global Score (r = .848; P < .001) and EDE-Q Weight Concern Score (r = .813; P < .001) were associated. The strongest correlations between the EDE-Q and the SRS-22-Revised Subscales were generally evidenced on the SRS-22-Revised Mental Health Subscale (rs ranged from −.200 to −.371; P < .001). After controlling for annual income, highest level of education, undergoing bracing treatment, and age of scoliosis diagnosis, the Body Shape Questionnaire Total Score was significantly correlated with the EDE-Q Eating Concern Score (standardized beta coefficient = .618; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of assessing body image concerns in young adult women with scoliosis experiencing disordered eating as this information may provide valuable information relevant to treatment planning.