The effects of dietary fat and caloric content on the body-size estimates of Anorexic Profile and normal college students

Anorexic‐Profile (AP) and Normal‐Profile (NP) college‐women's body‐size estimates of a fictitious female student (target) consuming a regular diet of high‐ vs low‐fat/calorie foods were compared. Participants initially were divided into four groups based on scores from the Eating‐Disorders Inventory (AP and NP) and Body‐Mass Index Scores (Low and High Body Mass) and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary conditions. Participants then rated the estimated body size of the target using the Figure‐Rating Scale. Significant main effects were found for profile status (AP vs NP), caloric content, and fat content. The significant two‐way interaction of profile status and dietary fat revealed a greater increase in body‐size estimates for AP vs NP participants as the diet of the target changed from low to high fat. Results highlight the importance given to dietary fat, especially among AP women, when predicting likely effects on body size. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 59: 85–91, 2003.