Barriers in addressing body image and eating issues in primary care: an overview of women's narratives

Abstract

Disordered eating and body image concerns continue to be rising problems for young women that come with significant mental and physical health risks. Primary care may be a potential avenue for early identification and intervention of eating and body image issues. However, few studies have explored this area in depth. Preliminary studies show that few women discuss these issues with their primary care providers (PCPs), and the barriers to these conversations remain unknown. This study used an open-ended survey to explore women's narratives concerning their experiences and barriers to discussing eating and body image issues with their PCPs. A total sample of 102 female college students (aged 18-35 years) in the Boston area completed self-report questionnaires online (February 2015 through January 2016). Themes in both communication and relationship domain emerged. Communication themes for participants included: health information, prompting by the PCP, and other barriers. Relationship themes included: patient and provider characteristics, negative and positive emotions, and trust. According to these participants, many women experience negative interactions with their providers when discussing these sensitive topics. Strategies for improving these outcomes in primary care are discussed.

Keywords: Body image; disordered eating; patient-doctor relationship; primary care; qualitative research.