The Predictive Validity of Reflected Body Image and Self-Esteem for understanding Adolescent intra-individual changes in Eating Disordered Behaviors and Attitudes in adolescents

Body Image (BI) and Self-Esteem (SE) represent risk factors for the development of eating-related disorders (ED). Less is known, however, on how SE and BI, individually and in interaction, contribute to predict changes in EDs in adolescents, at the intra-individual level. The present three-wave study explored in an Italian community sample of adolescents how within-person variations in EDs symptoms, as specified by Muscle Dysmorphia and Binge Eating for boys (N=128), and Drive for thinness and Bulimia for girls (N=66), are predicted by actual and reflected BIs and SE across a one-year time span. Results showed that SE predict intra- individual changes in ED, both in girls and boys. Furthermore, this effect is moderated by reflected BI. The present findings provide further support for the relevance of SE and BI in ED conditions and suggest that beyond self-esteem, the way adolescents believe they are physically perceived by others deserves attention as well.