Salute e prevenzione. Immagine corporea, regolazione emotiva e percezione di se': differenze individuali in eta' scolare

Eating disorders are a group of extremely complex conditions that include disordered-eating patterns, excessive body shape concerns, distorted body image perception with a strict correlation between those factors and the level of self-esteem (Fairburn & Harrison, 2003; Siegel, 2008; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010; Dalle Grave, 2011). Starting from 1950 there has been a progressive increase of eating disorder cases (Dalle Grave, 2011) as it is also recognized by the Italian National Prevention Plan that states “Eating disorders increase shows outstanding relevance and growth-rate: there’s no other mental disorder with such a growth-rate and with the characteristics of a real social epidemic” (Italian Ministry of Health, 2010). At the same time there has been a decrease of the age-of-onset (Favaro, Caregaro, Tenconi, Bosello & Santanastaso, 2009) and there is still an excessive delay in the diagnosis that can negatively affect the course of treatment and the prognosis (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010; Nicholls, Hudson & Mahomed, 2011). As a result, it is necessary nowadays to pay more attention to eating disorders starting from childhood and adolescence. Prevention is a key factor. Given the alarming increase of those disorders, it is crucial to implement and enhance awareness-raising and prevention programs to identify risk factors and the most exposed age-groups and categories. The definition of an effective plan it is indeed necessary to understand the psychological functioning of the most vulnerable people. While several studies have investigated personality traits and cognitive-affective-relational processes in adolescents and adults with eating disorders, only few studies focused the attention on children. Moreover, regardless of age, little is known about the evolution process that leads to eating disorders. A key factor, in this regard, is the cognitive-constructivism theory according to which eating disorder and obesity are not different diseases. On the contrary, this theory states that people with difficulties linked to eating, can be described in a continuum as they share specific psychological mechanisms and also the way they make sense of events that occur in their life (Guidano, 1987, 1991; Arciero, 2002). According to the theory eating disorders and obesity are on the two ends of this continuum. The research analyzes in depth the main aspects that, according to literature, represent risk factors that increase vulnerability and contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Among these factors particular focus was given to body dissatisfaction and weight concerns, together with aspects linked to the general functioning, such as personality and emotion regulation. The research involved 235 children, aged between 8 and 11 years, attending the primary school. Collected data points out that almost half of the sample is not satisfied with their body image, showing discrepancies between ideal and real body image. As expected, weight concerns are strictly correlated with body dissatisfaction and BMI of the child. The combination of body dissatisfaction and weight concerns, together with environmental and cultural stimuli, represents a vulnerability factor which appears to be correlated to the future development of an eating disorder. The degree of the impact should be investigated together with the analysis of the protective factors that may intervene. This study is aimed at building knowledge and at supporting practice. Analysis findings can support awareness-raising and prevention programs with particular focus on primary school. School, besides being the institution designed to transfer formal knowledge to students, is the environment in which they are guided through their growth and personal development.