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Visoconstructive Deficits and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2013

Nayelli Alvarado-Sánchez
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Cecilia Silva-Gutiérrez*
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Judith Salvador-Cruz
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Cecilia Silva-Gutiérrez. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria. Facultad de Psicología. Edificio de Posgrado, Cubículo “C”. Avenida Universidad 3004, Col. Copilco Universidad Delegación Coyoacan. Mexico D.F. C.P. 04510. (Mexico). E-mail: csilvag@correo.unam.mx

Abstract

In order to explore if neuropsychological deficits on visual constructional ability could be related to risk eating behaviors, a total of 102 women were evaluated, 51 of the participants had been formally diagnosed with eating disorders and 51 did not. All participants were given the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40), The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and The Tower of London Task. Results revealed the existence of a deficit on visual integration similar to those observed in other studies with diagnosed patients. The group at risk showed a comparatively reduced ability on the tasks and the control participants' execution was on the average. Findings revealed the need for designing studies to evaluate neuropsychological processes as possible risk factors which predict eating disorders.

A fin de explorar si las deficiencias neuropsicológicas en el proceso visoconstructivo están relacionadas con conductas alimentarias de riesgo, se evaluó un total de 102 mujeres, 51 presentaban conductas de riesgo y 51 no las presentaban. A todas las participantes se les aplicó el Cuestionario de Actitudes hacia la Alimentación (EAT-40); la Figura Compleja de Rey-Osterrieth y la Torre de Londres. Los resultados revelaron la existencia de un déficit en la integración visual similar al observado en otros estudios realizados con pacientes diagnosticadas. El grupo con riesgo mostró una reducción en tales habilidades en comparación con el desempeño de los participantes sin riesgo, mismo que estuvo dentro del promedio. Los hallazgos revelan la necesidad de diseñar estudios que evalúen los procesos neuropsicológicos como posibles factores predictores de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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