The slender ideal and eating disorders: An interdisciplinary ''telescope'' model

Journal/Book: Int J Eating Disorder. 1998; 23: 605 Third Ave, New York, NY 10158-0012. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 295-307.

Abstract: Objective: This paper interprets eating disorders (including anorexia and bulimia) as one (nonfunctional) manifestation, in modern environments, of evolved psychological mechanisms which modulate the standard of feminine bodily attractiveness as a response to economic conditions. Method: Published evidence from anthropology, sociology, and psychology was used to evaluate predictions that (1) where economic independence is possible, women favor a slender standard and (2) where women lack economic power, marriage tends to be favored and the standard becomes more curvaceous. These patterns were tested by correlating U.S. Economic data with changing standards of bodily curvaceousness in Vogue and Playboy. Psychological and biological mechanisms by which the slender standard produces anorexia and bulimia were examined. Results: Published evidence and the empirical data suggest that the standard of bodily curvaceousness is determined by the economics oi reproduction. Discussion: These ideas permit integration of the research on eating disorders in several disciplines and suggest many avenues for future enquiry.

Note: Article Barber N, Birmingham So Coll, Dept Psychol, Box 549037, Birmingham,AL 35254 USA

Keyword(s): slender ideal; eating disorders; reproductive strategy; BODILY ATTRACTIVENESS; THIN STANDARD; PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS; SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS; ANOREXIA-NERVOSA; BULIMIA-NERVOSA; BODY SHAPE; WOMEN; MEDIA; SYMPTOMATOLOGY

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