Appearance discrimination and binge eating among sexual minority men

Sexual minority men (SMM) face substantial disparities in rates of binge eating compared to heterosexual individuals, underscoring the need to study risk factors for the development of binge eating amongst SMM. One potential explanation for this disparity in binge eating is minority stress theory, which posits that minority groups face stressors, such as discrimination, due to their stigmatized position in society. Additionally, specific domains of discrimination may confer different levels of risk for binge eating. Therefore, the current study examined the association of various forms of discrimination, including appearance-based discrimination, and binge eating in a sample of SMM. A sample of 200 SMM (analytic sample of N = 187) from the greater Boston area completed self-report questionnaires assessing frequency of different forms of perceived discrimination (appearance, sexual orientation, race, etc.) and binge eating. A hierarchical binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association of different forms of discrimination with binge eating. 9% of the sample reported binge eating. Appearance-based discrimination was the most common form of discrimination (47%), and was significantly associated with binge eating, over and above all other forms of discrimination and sociodemographic variables, OR = 1.71, 95% CI = [1.24, 2.35], Wald χ2 (1) = 10.65, p = .001. Findings suggest that appearance-based discrimination may be related to binge eating in SMM. Clinicians may consider assessing appearance-based discrimination among SMM patients.

Price perception and price appearance on repurchase intention of Gen Y: do brand experience and brand preference mediate?

The study examines the effect of price perception and price appearance on Gen Y's repurchase intention towards snack products of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), along with the mediating roles of consumers' brand experience and preference. A survey method for data collection in the study used with a structured questionnaire, in which the respondents were requested to give their responses to the experiment conducted on local specialty snack products produced by SMEs. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships in the research model. The findings show that all the direct effects in the proposed model have a significant effect, except for the relationship between price perception and brand preference that there is no significant effect. Similarly, the mediating roles of consumer brand experience and consumer-based brand preference proved to have a significant effect. Finally, the implications of this study will be discussed further.

Microbiological and Physiological Attributes of Fresh-Cut Cucumbers in Controlled Atmosphere Storage

ABSTRACT

Fresh-cut cucumbers are popular worldwide, but they are prone to spoilage due to tissue damage caused by processing. The effects of controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 or 8% O2 and 2% CO2 on microorganisms and the quality of fresh-cut cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Chinese Long) at 4°C and 90% relative humidity were investigated in this study. The results showed that compared with the control group, both controlled atmosphere treatments maintained chlorophyll concentration, appearance, and color of fresh-cut cucumbers effectively; inhibited respiration rate and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity; delayed the decrease in firmness and the increase in relative electrolyte leakage; and inhibited the growth of microorganisms on cucumbers during storage. On day 10, the chlorophyll concentration and firmness of cucumbers stored at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 was 1.15 and 1.04 times that of cucumbers stored at 8% O2 and 2% CO2, respectively. Respiration rate, relative electrolyte leakage, polyphenoloxidase activity, peroxidase activity, and levels of total bacteria, coliforms, and Pseudomonas spp. at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 were 19.79, 6.01, 5.45, 88.50, 18.07, 16.14, and 19.76% lower than at 8% O2 and 2% CO2, respectively. In conclusion, storage at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 was effective in inhibiting microorganisms and maintaining the quality of stored fresh-cut cucumbers.

HIGHLIGHTS

The impact of correlations between pigmentation phenotypes and underlying genotypes on genetic prediction of pigmentation traits

Predicting appearance phenotypes from genotypes is relevant for various areas of human genetic research and applications such as genetic epidemiology, human history, anthropology, and particularly in forensics. Many appearance phenotypes, and thus their underlying genotypes, are highly correlated, with pigmentation traits serving as primary examples. However, all available genetic prediction models, including those for pigmentation traits currently used in forensic DNA phenotyping, ignore phenotype correlations. Here, we investigated the impact of appearance phenotype correlations on genetic appearance prediction in the exemplary case of three pigmentation traits. We used data for categorical eye, hair and skin colour as well as 41 DNA markers utilized in the recently established HIrisPlex-S system from 762 individuals with complete phenotype and genotype information. Based on these data, we performed genetic prediction modelling of eye, hair and skin colour via three different strategies, namely the established approach of predicting phenotypes solely based on genotypes while not considering phenotype correlations, and two novel approaches that considered phenotype correlations, either incorporating truly observed correlated phenotypes or DNA-predicted correlated phenotypes in addition to the DNA predictors. We found that using truly observed correlated pigmentation phenotypes as additional predictors increased the DNA-based prediction accuracies for almost all eye, hair and skin colour categories, with the largest increase for intermediate eye colour, brown hair colour, dark to black skin colour, and particularly for dark skin colour. Outcomes of dedicated computer simulations suggest that this prediction accuracy increase is due to the additional genetic information that is implicitly provided by the truly observed correlated pigmentation phenotypes used, yet not covered by the DNA predictors applied. In contrast, considering DNA-predicted correlated pigmentation phenotypes as additional predictors did not improve the performance of the genetic prediction of eye, hair and skin colour, which was in line with the results from our computer simulations. Hence, in practical applications of DNA-based appearance prediction where no phenotype knowledge is available, such as in forensic DNA phenotyping, it is not advised to use DNA-predicted correlated phenotypes as predictors in addition to the DNA predictors. In the very least, this is not recommended for the pigmentation traits and the established pigmentation DNA predictors tested here.

Validating the Asher-McDade score to assess facial aesthetic outcomes in 22 consecutive complete bilateral cleft lip repairs

Most scoring systems used to assess facial aesthetics in cleft patients tend to lack consistency, and the absence of an internationally agreed system makes comparison challenging. The most widely used and validated tool is the five-point Asher-McDade index. We note that there are currently no reports (to our knowledge) of its use for scoring outcomes after bilateral cleft lip repair. To validate it for this use, the aim was to describe the outcomes of 22 consecutive bilateral cleft lip repairs assessed using this scale. A retrospective review was undertaken of 22 consecutive patients with bilateral cleft lip repairs performed at our centre. Each patient underwent bilateral advancement rotation repair with a vomer flap on one side at three months followed by repair of the remaining hard palate and an intravelar veloplasty three months later. Standardised photographs were taken five years after repair and were cropped to isolate the nasolabial component. Eleven members of the cleft multidisciplinary team were asked to rate each image on a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way ANOVA test and intraclass correlation coefficient to interrogate intraobserver and interobserver variance. A total of 22 consecutive patients with complete bilateral cleft lips were photographed. The overall mean (range) score for the repairs was 3.2 (4.3 - 1.8). Two-way ANOVA demonstrated that inter-rater variability accounted for just over 10% (11.23% of the total variance, p < 0.0001). As predicted, the single biggest factor affecting score variability was the patient's appearance, which accounted for 44.51% of the total variance between scores (p < 0.0001). Intraobserver variance was not found to be significant, accounting for 0.33% of the total variance (p = 0.0006). We demonstrate that the Asher-McDade scoring system is a valid tool to use when assessing bilateral cleft lip repairs. Variance in the patient's score was significantly related to a true difference in appearance, with only a small percentage of differences being due to intraobserver and interobserver variation.

Optimizing the genetic prediction of the eye and hair color for North Eurasian populations

Background

Predicting the eye and hair color from genotype became an established and widely used tool in forensic genetics, as well as in studies of ancient human populations. However, the accuracy of this tool has been verified on the West and Central Europeans only, while populations from border regions between Europe and Asia (like Caucasus and Ural) also carry the light pigmentation phenotypes.

Results

We phenotyped 286 samples collected across North Eurasia, genotyped them by the standard HIrisPlex-S markers and found that predictive power in Caucasus/Ural/West Siberian populations is reasonable but lower than that in West Europeans. As these populations have genetic ancestries different from that of West Europeans, we hypothesized they may carry a somewhat different allele spectrum. Thus, for all samples we performed the exome sequencing additionally enriched with the 53 genes and intergenic regions known to be associated with the eye/hair color. Our association analysis replicated the importance of the key previously known SNPs but also identified five new markers whose eye color prediction power for the studied populations is compatible with the two major previously well-known SNPs. Four out of these five SNPs lie within the HERС2 gene and the fifth in the intergenic region. These SNPs are found at high frequencies in most studied populations. The released dataset of exomes from Russian populations can be further used for population genetic and medical genetic studies.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that precision of the established systems for eye/hair color prediction from a genotype is slightly lower for the populations from the border regions between Europe and Asia that for the West Europeans. However, this precision can be improved if some newly revealed predictive SNPs are added into the panel. We discuss that the replication of these pigmentation-associated SNPs on the independent North Eurasian sample is needed in the future studies.

Physical properties of parboiled milled local rice varieties marketed in South-East Nigeria

Physical properties of rice grain is important for mechanisation and proper post-harvest handling operations to prevent post-harvest loss and achieve high head-rice grains. Knowledge on the physical properties of Nigeria's local rice is limited which has led to losses and production of low quality grains characterised by large amount of brokens and poor appearance. Physical properties of 18 local and 3 imported rice varieties (control), were evaluated using standard methods. The physical properties evaluated were grain dimensions, Arithmetic mean diameter, (AMD) geometric mean diameter (GMD), square mean diameter (SMD), sphericity, aspect ratio, surface area, general appearance, dockage and aroma. Most (77.78%) of the local rice varieties were long grain rice, 50% were slender grains and 50% were bold grains, 77.78% of the local rice varieties were heavy grains. The AMD, GMD and SMD of local rice grains ranged from 3.29-3.86 mm, 8.02-10.36 mm and 4.75-5.82 mm, respectively. The sphericity, aspect ratio and surface area were in the range of 51.25-59.23%, 0.31-0.46 and 21.87-29.44 mm², respectively. A significant percentage (50%) of the local rice were grey coloured and unappealing in appearance. All the local rice varieties had dockage (5-70%) while the imported rice varieties had no dockage and possessed translucent light-cream to yellow shades and were appealing in appearance. These data are important for correct coupling and adjustment of post-harvest processing machine to prevent losses and produce high head-rice with appealing appearance.

The Oxford Finger Nail Appearance Score - a new scoring system for fingernail deformity following paediatric finger tip trauma

Fingernail deformity is common, yet current methods used to define cosmetic appearance following trauma are mainly descriptive. In order to quantify the cosmetic appearance of the fingernail, we developed the Oxford Fingernail Appearance Score using a three stage iterative process. The score has five cosmetic components marked as binary outcomes composed of nail shape, nail adherence, eponychial appearance, nail surface appearance and presence of a split. In the first stage, two assessors independently assessed 25 photographs of fingernails taken at a minimum of four months following paediatric nail bed repair and compared them to the corresponding contralateral uninjured finger. Following refinement in the score, ten different assessors scored a further 62 photographs of fingernails taken after paediatric nail bed repair. Assessors completed each of the five components, and the overall component score was calculated by statisticians post-hoc, taking the ideal appearance of each component as 1 ("identical to opposite" for nail shape, eponychium and surface, "complete" for adherence, "absent" for split) and all the non-ideal appearances as 0. Assessors effectively scored the photographs' integer values between 0 (least optimal appearance) and 5 (most optimal appearance). Refinements in the scoring system resulted in an improvement in a weighted kappa statistic of 0.36 (95% CI:0.09,0.68) in the initial score to 0.52 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.61). The Oxford Fingernail Appearance Score is a user-friendly and reliable scoring system which has application in a clinical trial setting.

Looking to the future: Priorities for translating research to impact in the field of appearance and body image

The field of body image and appearance research and practice is progressing; however, there is still work to be done to ensure broad societal impact. This article consolidates reflections from a range of established and early career experts in the field of appearance and body image, with a focus on stimulating and guiding future agenda setting and translation from research to impact. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcripts from nine recorded 5-minute presentations, delivered by researchers and clinicians as part of a special invited presentation session at a biennial international conference, 'Appearance Matters,' in the UK. Four themes were identified: Moving Beyond the Individual; Consolidation and Collaboration; Commitment to Implementation; and Positive and Protective Frameworks. These themes are discussed alongside recommendations for researchers and practitioners working in these fields to advance research, advocacy, and impact outside of academia.

Deriving an overall appearance domain score by applying bifactor IRT analysis to the BODY-Q appearance scales

Purpose

With the BODY-Q, one can assess outcomes, such as satisfaction with appearance, in weight loss and body contouring patients using multiple scales. All scales can be used independently in any given combination or order. Currently, the BODY-Q cannot provide overall appearance scores across scales that measure a similar super-ordinate construct (i.e., overall appearance), which could improve the scales’ usefulness as a benchmarking tool and improve the comprehensibility of patient feedback. We explored the possibility of establishing overall appearance scores, by applying a bifactor model to the BODY-Q appearance scales.

Methods

In a bifactor model, questionnaire items load onto both a primary specific factors and a general factor, such as satisfaction with appearance. The international BODY-Q validation patient sample (n = 734) was used to fit a bifactor model to the appearance domain. Factor loadings, fit indices, and correlation between bifactor appearance domain and satisfaction with body scale were assessed.

Results

All items loaded on the general factor of their corresponding domain. In the appearance domain, all items demonstrated adequate item fit to the model. All scales had satisfactory fit to the bifactor model (RMSEA 0.045, CFI 0.969, and TLI 0.964). The correlation between the appearance domain summary scores and satisfaction with body scale scores was found to be 0.77.

Discussion

We successfully applied a bifactor model to BODY-Q data with good item and model fit indices. With this method, we were able to produce reliable overall appearance scores which may improve the interpretability of the BODY-Q while increasing flexibility.

Camouflage makeup improves quality of life in cancer patients with treatment-related skin changes

BACKGROUND

Cancer treatment causes various skin appearance changes, which affect quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. We examined whether camouflage makeup improves QoL in these patients.

METHODS

Skindex-16 and visual analogue scale scores of 39 female patients with cancer treatment-related skin changes were compared before and 2-3 months after self-administration of camouflage makeup.

RESULTS

Camouflage makeup was able to conceal almost all skin changes, improving QoL scores regardless of age, diagnosis, and site of skin changes. Use frequency was significantly higher in patients with skin changes on exposed sites compared with patients with unexposed sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though the patients applied the makeup only when required, they were satisfied with its effect, which improved their QoL. Moreover, the makeup had a positive effect even in patients with changes in unexposed sites, suggesting that clinicians can recommend camouflage makeup to all patients to improve QoL.

White striping degree assessment using computer vision system and consumer acceptance test

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate three different degrees of white striping (WS) addressing their automatic assessment and customer acceptance. The WS classification was performed based on a computer vision system (CVS), exploring different machine learning (ML) algorithms and the most important image features. Moreover, it was verified by consumer acceptance and purchase intent.

METHODS

The samples for image analysis were classified by trained specialists, according to severity degrees regarding visual and firmness aspects. Samples were obtained with a digital camera, and 25 features were extracted from these images. ML algorithms were applied aiming to induce a model capable of classifying the samples into three severity degrees. In addition, two sensory analyses were performed: 75 samples properly grilled were used for the first sensory test, and 9 photos for the second. All tests were performed using a 10-cm hybrid hedonic scale (acceptance test) and a 5-point scale (purchase intention).

RESULTS

The information gain metric ranked 13 attributes. However, just one type of image feature was not enough to describe the phenomenon. The classification models support vector machine, fuzzy-W, and random forest showed the best results with similar general accuracy (86.4%). The worst performance was obtained by multilayer perceptron (70.9%) with the high error rate in normal (NORM) sample predictions. The sensory analysis of acceptance verified that WS myopathy negatively affects the texture of the broiler breast fillets when grilled and the appearance attribute of the raw samples, which influenced the purchase intention scores of raw samples.

CONCLUSION

The proposed system has proved to be adequate (fast and accurate) for the classification of WS samples. The sensory analysis of acceptance showed that WS myopathy negatively affects the tenderness of the broiler breast fillets when grilled, while the appearance attribute of the raw samples eventually influenced purchase intentions.

Body changes after cancer: female cancer patients' perceived social support and their perspective on care

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate among female cancer patients their perceived social support from health care professionals (HCPs), family and friends, and public media, and their perspective on care concerning body changes.

Methods

A study-specific questionnaire was completed by 235 female cancer patients. Descriptive statistics were used to describe social support and perspective on care. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between social support and sociodemographic and clinical factors, psychosocial impact, and importance of appearance.

Results

More than half of the patients received sufficient support from HCPs (54%) and family and friends (55%), and a third from the media (32%). Higher educated patients and those who found appearance not important during illness perceived lower support from HCPs. Patients without a partner, and those with a surgical treatment only, perceived lower support from family and friends. Patients who were older, higher educated, without a partner, and those who found appearance not important during illness perceived lower support from the media. In total, 15–50% of the patients received sufficient care for different domains of body changes. Patients expressed the highest need for psychological support (28%) and nutrition (28%).

Conclusions

Half of the female cancer patients reported to receive sufficient social support concerning body changes after cancer. Perceived support depended on age, education, relationship status, and treatment modality. The need for more care was moderate.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-019-04729-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Health and appearance: Factors motivating the decision to seek bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the motivating factors and people that lead patients to seek bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery helps to improve body image, but little is known about patients' desired changes in the appearance of specific body parts.

OBJECTIVES

To identify key factors and people motivating patients' decision to seek bariatric surgery, and to assess body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of specific body parts.

SETTING

U.S. university-based hospital clinic.

METHODS

Patients seeking bariatric surgery (N = 208, 78.4% women, 52.4% black, mean age = 42.0 ± 12.3 yr, mean body mass index = 46.7 ± 8.5 kg/m²) completed the Reasons for Bariatric Surgery questionnaire before their preoperative Psychosocial-behavioral evaluation. Participants rated (1-10) the importance of 15 potential reasons and 7 potential people motivating their decision to seek bariatric surgery. Participants also rated their dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of 11 body parts.

RESULTS

Mean scores of motivating factors were highest for Physical Health (9.9 ± .4), followed by Longevity (9.7 ± .9). Patients reported high body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of several body parts, including stomach and thighs. "Myself" was the highest-rated motivating person, followed by healthcare providers, family, and someone who had undergone bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Health is the primary reason reported by patients for seeking bariatric surgery. Patients also report a strong desire for surgery to change the appearance of their body. Patients are self-driven to pursue surgery but are also influenced by healthcare providers, family, and people who have undergone surgery. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2019;X:XXX-XXX.) © 2019 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.

Attention enhances apparent perceptual organization

Perceptual organization and selective attention are two crucial processes that influence how we perceive visual information. The former structures complex visual inputs into coherent units, whereas the later selects relevant information. Attention and perceptual organization can modulate each other, affecting visual processing and performance in various tasks and conditions. Here, we tested whether attention can alter the way multiple elements appear to be perceptually organized. We manipulated covert spatial attention using a rapid serial visual presentation task, and measured perceptual organization of two multielements arrays organized by luminance similarity as rows or columns, at both the attended and unattended locations. We found that the apparent perceptual organization of the multielement arrays is intensified when attended and attenuated when unattended. We ruled out response bias as an alternative explanation. These findings reveal that attention enhances the appearance of perceptual organization, a midlevel vision process, altering the way we perceive our visual environment.

Improving Rice Grain Quality: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects

Rice grain quality encompasses complex interrelated traits that cover biochemical composition, cooking, eating, nutritional, and sensory properties. Because rice endosperm is composed mainly of starch, rice grain quality is traditionally defined by characterizing starch structure and composition, which is then subsequently correlated with functional properties of the grain. The current proxy tests routinely used to describe rice grain quality preferences are rather limited to the estimation of apparent amylose content, gelatinization temperature, and gel consistency. Additional tests that characterize starch property, viscoelasticity, grain texture, and aroma are also employed in more advanced laboratories. However, these tests are not routinely applied in breeding programs to distinguish cooking quality classes to reflect evolving consumer preference and market demand. As consumer preferences in Asia and all over the world are diverse due to varied demographics and culture, defining uniform attributes to capture regional grain quality preferences becomes more challenging. Hence, novel and innovative proxy tests are needed to characterize rice grain quality to meet the demand for consumer preferences of commercially-released cultivars. In this chapter, the current methods employed in rice grain quality monitoring are succinctly reviewed. Future prospects for improvement are identified, introducing cutting edge technologies that can facilitate high-throughput screening of rice diversity panels and breeding lines. Aside from addressing the requirements for quality improvement in the traditional inbred rice breeding programs, we also tackled the need to enhance grain quality in the hybrid rice sector.

Cosmetic camouflage improves quality of life among patients with skin disfigurement: A systematic review

This study systematically reviewed the impact of cosmetic camouflage use on different psychosocial outcomes in patients with disfiguring skin disorders. Electronic databases and reference lists were searched in February 2018 for studies reporting the impact of cosmetic camouflage on different quality of life (QoL) outcomes. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria: six randomized controlled trials, two quasi-experimental studies, nine single group 'before and after' interventions, and one comparative study with single post-intervention measurement. Quality appraisal of included studies was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs critical appraisal tools. While the studies varied in design, those included in this review indicated significant improvement in QoL after the use of cosmetic camouflage. The mean reduction in Dermatological Life Quality Index scores ranged from 1.4 to 6.4 signifying improvement in QoL of participants after treatment with cosmetic camouflage. Cosmetic camouflage can be an effective therapy in improving QoL among patients with skin disfigurement.

The Role of Appearance: Definition of Appearance-Pain (App-Pain) and Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Used in Literature

INTRODUCTION

The objectives of the current study were: (1) to perform a systematic review of the existing scientific literature on appearance and any subsequently related disorders and (2) to research in the literature the correlation between the role of appearance and patient's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review protocol was developed a priori in accordance with the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidance. A multistep search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, Embase, Ebase, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and body image.

RESULTS

Our search generated a total of 347 articles. We performed a systematic review of the 18 studies, which had sufficient data and met all inclusion criteria. All studies identified from the literature review were assessed to determine the utilization of validated patient satisfaction questionnaires. The questionnaires were analyzed by reviewers to assess adherence to the rules of the US Food and Drug Administration and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust. We identified 27 individual questionnaires. We summarized development and validation characteristics and content of the 27 validated measures used in the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review to identify and critically appraise patient-reported outcome measures for appearance and body image using internationally accepted criteria. DAS59 was deemed to have adequate levels of methodological and psychometric evidence. We also introduced the concept of Appearance-Pain which consists of the recomposed systematic view of the experimental indicators of suffering, linked to one of the dimensions of appearance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Examining a momentary mediation model of appearance-related stress, anxiety, and eating disorder behaviors in adult anorexia nervosa

PURPOSE

Appearance-related stress may result from appearance-focused events such as seeing one's reflection, seeing media images, and shopping for clothes. The purpose of this study was to examine the prospective association between momentary appearance-related stress and eating disorder (ED) behaviors (i.e., binge eating and vomiting) among women with anorexia nervosa (AN) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). We hypothesized that appearance-related stress at Time 1 would predict binge eating and vomiting at Time 2, and that this prospective association would be mediated by momentary anxiety at Time 2 (controlling for anxiety at Time 1).

METHODS

Women with AN completed a 2-week EMA protocol involving repeated daily assessments of experiences and behaviors.

RESULTS

Momentary appearance-related stress preceded binge eating and vomiting, and momentary anxiety mediated the prospective association between appearance-related stress and ED behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted momentary interventions delivered in the natural environment that address appearance-related stress may have utility in the treatment of ED behaviors.

Appearance-related themes in children's animated movies released between 2004 and 2016: A content analysis

Research suggests that children demonstrate an awareness of cultural messages regarding appearance; specifically, that thinness is desirable and fatness is objectionable. In 2004, Herbozo and colleagues published research examining the content of popular children's movies. This widely cited study has provided the foundation for various studies examining the impact of media on children. The purpose of the current study was to extend the findings of Herbozo et al.'s (2004) research to include more recent movies. Two independent coders viewed the 25 top-grossing U.S. animated feature films since 2004 and indicated the number of appearance-related themes present in each movie. Movies in the current study contained significantly more appearance-related themes focused on male muscularity and the role of personal control related to weight compared to earlier films. These findings are consistent with cultural trends and demonstrate the importance of continued examination of children's media influences.

A brief facial morphing intervention to reduce skin cancer risk behaviors: Results from a randomized controlled trial

The current study was designed to test the efficacy of an appearance-based facial morphing program to reduce intentional UV exposure among individuals at risk for skin cancer. A three-arm randomized controlled trial was employed (N = 219) comparing facial morphing + health information to: (1) mindfulness + health information; and (2) health information only. Participants were young adults with a history of recent intentional tanning and future intentions to tan. Primary outcomes were indoor and outdoor tanning frequency and tanning intentions, with secondary outcomes of tanning attitudes, body image, and affect. Facial morphing participants reported less frequent tanning, compared to mindfulness and control participants at 1-month follow-up. Facial morphing participants also generally reported lower intentions to tan at immediate follow-up, although the magnitude of these effects weakened at 1-month follow-up. Facial morphing programs may offer a brief, efficacious, and scalable augmentation to standard of care in reducing intentional UV exposure. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03237013).

Nasolabial aesthetics of patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate: A comparison of three rating methods in two countries

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to compare nasolabial aesthetics of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated in Vietnam and Estonia using three rating methods: five-point aesthetic index, a visual analogue scale (VAS), and reference scores method.

METHODS

A total of 56 patients with repaired UCLP (23 from Vietnam and 33 from Estonia) were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients' facial and profile photographs were cropped to reveal the nasolabial region and coded. Five examiners rated nasolabial aesthetics of the patients using three methods: five-point aesthetic index, 100 mm VAS, and reference scores method. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate intrarater and interrater reliabilities.

RESULTS

The five-point aesthetic index had a higher reliability than VAS and reference scores method. The least aesthetic feature among Vietnamese and Estonian patients was nasal symmetry and nasolabial profile respectively. No differences in nasolabial aesthetics were found between Vietnamese and Estonian patients regardless of the rating methods (p > 0.05) except for nasal symmetry.

CONCLUSIONS

The five-point aesthetic index seems to produce more reproducible results. There were no significant differences in nasolabial aesthetics between the two countries. Overall average nasolabial appearance results were obtained using different treatment protocols in the two countries.

The effect of functionality-focused and appearance-focused images of models of mixed body sizes on women's state-oriented body appreciation

Research demonstrates that exposure to appearance-focused images of models depicting societal standards of beauty negatively affect women's state-oriented body dissatisfaction. The purpose of this research was to extend this experimental research to women's state-oriented body appreciation. The 374 women participants were randomly assigned to view images that were either depicting a model who was representative or not representative of the thin ideal (body size), while this model was in either an appearance-focused pose or a function-oriented pose (pose type). State body appreciation increased significantly after viewing images depicting models who did not conform to societal standards of thinness (p<0.001). Exposure to the control condition images, which were images of natural environments, also produced increases in state body appreciation (p=0.049). These findings provide insight into the construct of state body appreciation and offer implications for future positive body image research.

Factors affecting subjective appearance evaluations among patients with congenital craniofacial conditions: An application of Cash's cognitive-behavioural model of body image development

Satisfaction with appearance is of central importance for psychological well-being and health. For individuals with an unusual appearance, such as congenital craniofacial anomalies (CFA), appearance evaluations could be especially important. However, few, if any papers have presented a comprehensive synthesis of the factors found to affect subjective satisfaction with appearance among children, adolescents, and adults born with a CFA. Further, only a handful of craniofacial studies have applied psychological theories or models to their findings, resulting in an overall lack of guidance for researchers in the field. This paper summarises the literature pertaining to satisfaction with appearance among those affected by CFAs, and examines the extent to which Cash's cognitive-behavioural model of body image development (2012) fits with this literature. Given the overlap between factors of interest in the field of CFAs, and in the area of body image more broadly, a closer collaboration between the two research fields is suggested.

Risk factors for peri-traumatic distress and appearance concerns in burn-injured inpatients identified by a screening tool

INTRODUCTION

Psychosocial screening of burn-injured patients is a National Burn Care Guideline and is increasingly used to identify individuals most in need of support. It can also generate data that can inform our understanding of patient reported concerns following a burn injury.

METHOD

As part of routine care, 461 patients admitted to a burns unit were screened soon after admission using a psychosocial screen designed by the service. The questionnaire included items on pre-existing social support, coping, emotional and psychological difficulties, as well as current trauma symptoms and current level of concern about changed appearance following the burn.

RESULTS

Overall, patients reported low levels of appearance concerns (mean 3.7/10) and trauma symptoms (18% reporting flashbacks) in the initial days following a burn injury. In those who did report concerns, there were some significant associations with demographic and other variables. Patients who experienced flashbacks were younger and had a larger total body surface area (TBSA) burn. Higher levels of appearance concern were associated with younger women, larger TBSA and facial burns. However, the relationships found were weak and frequently confounded by other factors.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the findings indicate that initial trauma symptoms and appearance concerns are not inevitable in this group and there is no substitute for screening in identifying who is most at risk.