An examination of body tracing among women with high body dissatisfaction

• An eating disorder treatment activity involving body tracing was examined.
• Participants were randomly assigned to a body tracing or control condition.
• Changes in state-dependent body dissatisfaction and negative mood were observed.
• Level of trait body dissatisfaction moderated changes in state-dependent variables.
• Body tracing may have a negative effect for females with high body dissatisfaction.

Within eating disorder treatment programs, a body tracing activity is often used to address body dissatisfaction and overestimation of body size; however, the effects of this activity have never been empirically evaluated. This research examined the effects of body tracing on body dissatisfaction and mood among 56 female participants assigned to either a body tracing or control group. Scores were collected on trait body dissatisfaction and a series of Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Results showed that trait body dissatisfaction moderated the relationship between group and levels of state appearance dissatisfaction and anxiety. These results suggest that individuals experiencing higher levels of trait body dissatisfaction demonstrated greater state body dissatisfaction following participation in the body tracing activity. Individuals with lower trait body dissatisfaction experienced greater anxiety after drawing a human body. These findings have potential implications for the use of this strategy in the treatment of eating disorder patients.