Changes in Body Image During Inpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders Predict Outcome

This study investigated changes and predictors during inpatient treatment of 55 adult in a transdiagnostic sample of patients with eating disorders. Patients were assessed at admission and discharge with the Body Attitude Test (BAT), Symptom Check List 90 Revised, Circumplex of Interpersonal Problems, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI-2). Significant changes were found in all measures. Regression analyses showed that BAT changes during treatment were the strongest predictor of EDI-2 changes. No predictors of changes in BMI were found. Improvement of body image is important for the efficacy of inpatient treatment.