Sociocultural Aspects of Eating Disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders, though recognized for centuries, are increasing in prevalence. The increase in rate is particularly remarkable over the last 30-40 years. The article considers how social function stems from biological function and evolution, and how biological function may hamper social development to the detriment of individuals. Social and cultural influences relevant to this change are examined, especially the changing position of women within society as a whole and the multiplication of conflicting roles which women find themselves balancing. Reference is made to the representation of women in the arts and media. Reference is also made to the role of those external agencies which have historically controlled populations (both men and women), such as religious bodies and governments, but which to some extent have been rejected. Evidence from in-depth studies of women with eating disorders and from transcultural studies are included to support the authors' ideas.

Sociocultural pressures and adolescent eating in the absence of hunger

“…Similarly, girls’ reported use of media as key informants on beauty ideals tended to relate to greater EAH. Mass media are often cited as one of the strongest influences on adolescent body image (Levine & Smolak, 1996; Mazur, 1986; Raphael & Lacey, 1992; Silverstein, Perdue, Peterson, & Kelly, 1986), and media are particularly relevant during a time period when body image is a central dimension of adolescent self-esteem (Levine & Smolak, 2002). Western society’s ultra-thin ideal of attractiveness primarily targets females, rather than males (Cusumano & Thompson, 1997; Nemeroff, Stein, Diehl, & Smilack, 1994), which may explain why the relationships between media influences and EAH were observed only in girls.…”

Review of Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Implications for Primary Prevention and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

“…Garner & Garfinkel, 1980;Levine, Piran, & Stoddard, 1999;Levine, Smolak, & Hayden, 1994;Levine, Smolak, & Hayden, 1996;McCarthy, 1990;Raphael & Lacey, 1992;Vandereycken, 1993). Women are, through the media, exposed to role models for physical attractiveness who are so gaunt as to represent virtually no women in the actual population.…”

Anorexia: A “losing” strategy?

“…Basically, they suggested that anorexia may be a response to a "social emergency": body fat is minimized in situations when it would be disadvantageous for a girl to become pregnant or even to show signs of sexual maturity that would attract sexual attention. This model explains several otherwise inexplicable features of the anorexia "epidemic": specifically, that it develops almost exclusively in girls and younger women rather than in boys and men (for whom sperm production requires very little energy and no fat reserves) or older women (for whom further delay of reproduction probably means no reproduction at all); that it is frequently associated with a first (often early and often undesirable) sexual experience; that it is increasing rapidly only now, at this point in history, and only in the richest, most developed countries (where malnutrition is now a less common stressor than unwanted sexual attention); and that it "afflicts" mostly middle-and upper-class girls and women (for whom single motherhood has a social stigma that isn't shared amongst the lower classes) (Raphael and Lacey 1992;Voland and Voland 1989).…”