Final answer:
A distorted body image, in the context of the Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum, is indicated by excessive dieting and exercise to change one's body shape, often seen in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum, the characteristic that suggests a distorted body image is a) Spending significant time exercising and dieting to change one's body shape. This behavior is often associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which are serious eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by individuals maintaining body weight well below average through starvation and/or excessive exercise, while bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives.
Body dysmorphic disorder is closely related to these eating disorders, with a high prevalence among those suffering from them. External pressures, such as being exposed to images of extremely thin models, play a role in the development of these disorders, notably among individuals in high-pressure environments like dancers, athletes, and models. Not all signs of health concern, like c) Seeking out healthy foods consistently or d) Positive body appreciation and self-acceptance, reflect a disordered eating pattern or a distorted body image.