The validity of a short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire

This study investigated the ‘construct validity’ (which includes the extent to which a test conforms to predictions from previous observations) of a 14-item version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) in 75 patients with psychogenic low weight and a history of full or partial anorexia nervosa (AN). Various predictions were confirmed, i.e. ratings on the BSQ (designed to measure concern about body image) were significantly correlated with ratings for the Eating Attitudes Test, the Bulimia Investigatory Test and the Beck Depression Inventory, and with the body mass index at referral. Also, the binge eating/purging subtype of AN was associated with increased body-image psychopathology. In contrast to a previous report using another questionnaire, this association was independent of body weight. The findings indicate that this shorter version of the BSQ can be used to assess body image psychopathology in patients with psychogenic low weight and to confirm an increased concern about body-image in the binge-eating/purging subtype of AN.