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Women in sport struggle to navigate feeling and acting feminine with wanting to achieve a high-performance standard in their sport. Because of this, they often find themselves toeing the line and attempting to strike a balance between socially appropriate femininity and strength and power. One type of exercise modality where females are encouraged to push beyond the 'acceptable' cultural norms is CrossFit. While there is a heavy emphasis on body functionality over appearance, women who CrossFit still experience disapproval from those around them and society as a whole. Their transforming bodies do not agree with societal gender norms. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how women who CrossFit engage in self and social comparison. Through this examination, we aimed to uncover the various facets that may influence body image within CrossFit, and how women who CrossFit are impacted by the potential comparative practices around them. Participants included 47 women who were current CrossFit participants. Data was collected via a series of focus groups and then analyzed by a four-person research team. Three different and distinct comparison themes were uncovered: comparison of self to self, comparison of self to other athletes, and comparison of self to ideals. The comparative themes found in this study demonstrate how CrossFit can provide positive personal transformations for women, but women who CrossFit still contend with navigating societal norms for attractiveness. Keywords: CrossFit; social comparison; body ideals; transformation; exercise; qualitative, For decades, female athletes have toed a fine line in an attempt to balance showing strength, endurance, and power, while also maintaining a socially appropriate feminine look and demeanor (Aanesen [...]

Historically, females who had large body figures and considered overweight were seen as the epitome of beauty within the African American culture. More specifically, African American females with large body figures were perceived by African American males as smart, sexy, employable, desirable, wanted, marriatable, and rulers of their households. However, as African American males acculturate into the dominate culture via their college attendance, their perceptions of body figure attractiveness may begin to change towards perceptions that are similar to those of the dominate culture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine African American male college students' perceptions of body figure attractiveness. Participants in this study consisted of 227 African American male college students between 18 and 31 years of age from two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and two Traditionally White Institutions (TWIs) across the Southeast and Northeast regions of the United States. Findings from this study revealed that African American male college students' perceptions of body figure attractiveness are changing towards those similar of the dominant culture. Thus, implications are discussed relative to the potential influence in which African American males' perceived body figure attractiveness may have on African American females. Keywords African American males * Male college students * Body figure attractiveness * Body image * Body perceptions * Acculturation, Introduction Cultural Differences in Perception of Body Figure Attractiveness Over the past several decades, numerous researchers (Collins 1990; Rosen et al. 1993, 1991; Scruggs 2001; Thomas and James 1988) have [...]

Body dissatisfaction is a highly prevalent experience among women across the world; however, there is minimal research relating to this topic for the different ethnic groups in New Zealand. In [...]

On the basis of integrating objectification theory research with research on body image and eating problems among sexual minority men, the present study examined relations among sociocultural and psychological correlates of eating disorder symptoms with a sample of 231 sexual minority men. Results of a path analysis supported tenets of objectification theory with the sample. Specifically, findings were consistent with relations posited in objectification theory among sexual objectification experiences, internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disorder symptoms. Within this set of positive relations, internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness partially mediated the link of sexual objectification experiences with body surveillance; body surveillance partially mediated the relation of internalization with body shame; and body shame partially mediated the relation of body surveillance with eating disorder symptoms. In addition to these relations, internalized homophobia was related to greater eating disorder symptoms through body shame, and recalled childhood harassment for gender nonconformity was linked with eating disorder symptoms through a positive series of relations involving internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame. Keywords: gay, bisexual, and sexual minority men, objectification theory, eating disorder, body surveillance, body image DOI: 10.1037/a0018937

Initial research suggested that only European American women developed eating disorders (Garner, 1993), yet recent studies have shown that African American women do experience them (e.g., Lester & Petrie, 1998b; Mulholland & Mintz, 2001) and also may be negatively affected by similar sociocultural variables. In this study, we examined a sociocultural model of eating disorders for African American women but included the influences of ethnic identity (e.g., Hall, 1995; Helms, 1990). Participants (N = 322) were drawn from 5 different universities. They completed measures representing ethnic identity, societal pressures regarding thinness, internalization of societal beauty ideals, body image concerns, and disordered eating. Structural equation modeling revealed that ethnic identity was inversely, and societal pressures regarding thinness directly, related to internalization of societal beauty ideals. Societal pressures regarding thinness was also related to greater body image concerns. Both internalization of societal beauty ideals and body image concerns were positively associated with disordered eating ([R.sup.2] = .79). Overall, the final model fit the data well, supporting its generalizability and the importance of ethnic identity in determining risk. Keywords: eating disorders, ethnic identity, African American women, body dissatisfaction DOI: 10.1037/a0018922

Research on body image and older women has grown in the past decade. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding body image, older women, and countertransference. This article provides 7 case examples of racially and ethnically diverse women over 60, drawn from MSW student and agency staff supervision, and participant feedback from a national conference on aging workshop. Themes related to loss and grief, adult daughter and aging mother issues, incest, anger, disability, personality disorders, phobic reactions, and shame are discussed. Recommendations and implications for social work practice, education and research are provided. KEYWORDS Body image, older women, countertransference DOI: 10.1080/01634370903507589

The objective of the current study was to conduct a longitudinal study of adolescent girls to determine how temperament, attitudes toward shape and weight, life events, and family factors might contribute to the growth of clinically significant importance of shape and weight, assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE). Time 1 data were available from 699 female twins (M age = 13.96 years) and 595 parents, and approximately 1.15 years later (Time 2) the twins completed the EDE again (M age = 15.10 years). Twins were treated as singletons in the analyses. Time 1 importance of shape and weight was a significant predictor of Time 2 lifetime disordered eating behaviors. Seven Time 1 variables were significant univariate predictors of Time 2 importance of shape and weight. In multivariate analyses, fathers' sensitivity to reward was the only significant predictor of growth of Time 2 importance of shape and weight. Some support was found for established risk factors of disordered eating risk, while the multivariate analyses highlight the importance of developing conceptualizations of eating disorder etiology beyond the individual level. Keywords: eating disorders, risk factors, twin studies, adolescents DOI: 10.1037/a0017779

A significant relationship between changes in Body Mass Index and Body Areas Satisfaction scores was found for a sample of obese Euro-American (n = 97), but not for African-American (n = 79), women initiating a moderate exercise program. For the African-American women only, compliance with the assigned exercise regimen directly predicted change in Body Areas Satisfaction. Implications of ethnicity for behavioral weight loss treatment were discussed. DOI 10.2466/PR0.105.F.1072-1076

Contemporary popular culture proposes new ideological associations between time, ageing, the body and personal identity projects. In a range of magazine texts, television shows and associated websites, several commercialised discourses equate ageing, and women's ageing in particular, with the 'look' of ageing. They project a version of personal ageing that is reversible and repairable, on the presumption that looking younger is universally a desirable goal and one that can be reached through regimes of control operating on skin, body shape and weight, hair and clothing. Different moral stances are established in these discourses. One set offers magazine readers putative control over acknowledged risks and threats deemed inherent to ageing. Such texts invoke personal responsibility for maintaining and indeed for re-claiming a youthful appearance in middle and old age. Another set shames and vilifies people who' look older than they should'. In those cases, visible ageing needs to be urgently dealt with, on the gerontophobic assumption that the look of ageing renders the individual progressively less socially desirable or even less acceptable. Different frames of mediation, such as the keying of personal censure and humiliation as play, complicate the moral critique of these discourses, even though their ageist orientations are often stark. The decade is constructed as an important unit of bodily ageing, when the target is to look or in some ways to be 'ten years younger'. KEY WORDS-- body, appearance, commodification, control, decade, ageism.

Given global population ageing and the fact that Australia is experiencing a significant increase in the proportion of older adults in its population, research into ageing issues has become a national priority. Whilst body image and selfesteem have been empirically linked, the relationship among older adults has been neglected. This study investigated several body-image variables and their relationship to sell-esteem in a sample of 148 men and women aged 65-85 years who were living independently in the Perth Metropolitan Area of Western Australia. They completed the 'Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale' and the 'Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire'. The results indicated, contrary to a common misconception, that body-image concerns are significant to selfesteem in older adulthood, but that these vary by age and gender. Whilst women appear to develop various strategies to counter the effects of ageing, men seem to be more negatively affected, particularly in relation to body functioning. The findings shed light on the meaning of body image in older adulthood. A better understanding of the meaning of body image, of the factors that influence the meaning, and of how these relate to older adults' self-esteem may help older adults develop a positive body image that will contribute to psycho-social strengths and enhance their quality of life. KEY WORDS--ageing, body image, self-esteem.

The purpose was to examine body image, perceived physical ability, and motor performance in nonoverweight (n=105, 53 boys and 52 girls) and overweight (n = 105, 52 boys and 53 girls) children, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years and attending elementary schools in southeastern Italy. Body image was measured on Collins' Child Figure Drawings, while self-efficacy was assessed by the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children. Age-appropriate field-based tests of standing long jump, 1-kg medicine-ball throw, basketball throw, and 10-m and 20-m sprint from a standing position were also administered to gauge motor performance. Univariate analyses of variance [2 (group)x2 (sex)x3 (8, 9, 10 yr.)] showed that overweight children reported larger body-dissatisfaction scores, lower self efficacy scores, and poorer performance on weight-bearing tasks than nonoverweight peers. In addition, boys had high-er mean scores on physical self-efficacy and better performance on all motor tests. The correlation between Body Mass Index and body dissatisfaction was positive for boys and girls.

Social physique anxiety, or the anxiety individuals feel when they believe their bodies are being evaluated, has historically been thought to pertain mostly to women. However, social pressures on men to obtain a muscular body shape have increased in recent years. Thus, it is likely that social physique anxiety is as much of an impairment for men as it is for women. The present study examined the relationships between social physique anxiety and reasons for exercise, symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and self-esteem. Results indicated that men with higher levels of social physique anxiety, as compared to men with lower levels, exercised more for self-presentational reasons rather than fitness or recreational reasons, reported more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and reported lower self-esteem. The implications of the results are discussed., Social physique anxiety (SPA) involves anxiety that is experienced due to the perception that others are evaluating one's body in a negative manner (Russell, 2002). Correlates of SPA include low [...]

Objectification theory has emphasized objectification in terms of body shape and size. African American women may expect to be evaluated on additional physical attributes such as skin tone. Therefore, we extended previous research on objectification theory by adding separate measures of skin-tone concerns in a survey of 117 African American women. Results from a series of path analyses revealed that as hypothesized, habitual body monitoring of skin tone predicted specific skin-tone dissatisfaction as well as general shame regarding body shape and size. Contrary to theoretical predictions, self-objectification did not mediate links between habitual monitoring (of skin tone or of body size and shape) and body dissatisfaction. In terms of objectification theory, results suggest that skin tone is a relevant dimension of habitual body monitoring and dissatisfaction for some African American women.

Proponents of the sociocultural model of eating disorders have suggested that ethnic differences in body dissatisfaction may be diminishing as the thin ideal of beauty becomes more widely disseminated among minority women. In a meta-analysis, the authors examined temporal trends in Black-White differences and also examined whether these differences generalize across various age groups and measures. Results confirmed more favorable body image evaluations among Black than White females, with the greatest differences at the age period of the early 20s. Although results confirmed that ethnic differences have diminished, this trend was limited to weight-focused measures. On more global body image measures, ethnic differences actually increased. These results suggest that the relationship between Black-White ethnicity and body image is more complex than previously suggested. Keywords: body dissatisfaction, ethnicity, meta-analysis

We examined body objectification, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction differences between college women and exotic dancers and the relationships among these measures for both groups. Forty-three college women and 40 female exotic dancers completed a questionnaire that assessed each of these constructs. Relative to college women, exotic dancers reported less relationship satisfaction, more body surveillance, and a greater prioritizing of body attractiveness over physical competence. Relationship satisfaction and the prioritizing of appearance over physical competence varied for the heterosexual and bisexual dancers. For exotic dancers, the body objectification measures of surveillance and shame were negatively, and body control was positively, related to self-esteem; body shame was negatively related to relationship satisfaction. For college women, higher levels of body surveillance and body shame were associated with higher prioritizing of physical attractiveness relative to physical competence. Keywords Body objectification * Exotic dancers * Self-objectification

Objectified body consciousness (OBC)uthe tendency to view oneself as an object to be looked at and evaluated by othersuhas received recent attention as a possible vulnerability factor for depression and disordered eating. Although OBC generally is discussed in developmental terms, extant research has examined primarily the experiences of undergraduates and adults. Our goal in this study was to develop an age-appropriate measure to allow study of OBC development during preadolescence and adolescence. We modeled the OBC-Youth after McKinley and Hyde's (1996) OBC-Classic to measure three components of OBC: body surveillance, body shame, and appearance control beliefs. The 14-item scale contains modified vocabulary and syntax to make it appropriate for use with preadolescent and adolescent youth. Results indicate that the OBC-Youth scale is a reliable, valid measure of OBC. Initial findings about the correlates of OBC in preadolescence are discussed.

Abstract (2) The objective of this study was to seek directly from culturally diverse women information on their weight control behavior. Specific questions were: What types of weight control behavior [...]

This study investigated the relationships among awareness and internalisation of societal ideals, body perception and media consumption for young adult New Zealand men (n=62) and women (n=119) attending the University [...]

Biomedical literature suggests that menopause primarily represents negative change in women's lives. Feminist literature on menopause proposes that it can represent positive change or is a neutral experience for individual women. Conflicting characterizations result from different empirical emphases; biomedical research has focused on bodily change, and feminist research has highlighted social contexts for menopause. Results from interviews with a snowball sample of 61 women in 2001 illustrate how a change discourse on menopause and gendered beauty ideals combine to create a context within which some women believe that changes in their physical appearances can be attributed to menopause and that bodily change is problematic. In addition, during focus groups and in-depth interviews, women suggested that, in the face of these discourses or ideologies and changing external bodies, they face a 'category crisis.' Interviewees also discussed how they attempt to prevent/mask bodily change in order to remain attractive, visibly feminine, and desirable in the eyes of men. Findings from this qualitative study illustrate that we must continue to explore women's perceptions and experiences of bodily change during menopause, as we lack a full understanding of this developmental transition and its biosocial contexts. KEY WORDS: menopause; bodies; change; beauty; gender; ideology; qualitative research.

Objectification theory has linked self-objectification to negative emotional experiences and disordered eating behavior in cultures that sexually objectify the female body. This link has not been empirically tested in a clinical sample of women with eating disorders. In the present effort, 209 women in residential treatment for eating disorders completed self-report measures of self-objectification, body shame, media influence, and drive for thinness on admission to treatment. Results demonstrated that the internalization of appearance ideals from the media predicted self-objectification, whereas using the media as an informational source about appearance and feeling pressured to conform to media ideals did not. Self-objectification partially mediated the relationship between internalized appearance ideals and drive for thinness; internalized appearance ideals continued to be an independent predictor of variance. In accordance with objectification theory, body shame partially mediated the relationship between self-objectification and drive for thinness in women with eating disorders; self-objectification continued to be an independent predictor of variance. These results illustrate the importance of understanding and targeting the experience of self-objectification in women with eating disorders or women at risk for eating disorders. KEY WORDS: self-objectification; eating disorders; internalization; sociocultural.

Multivariate analyses were used to compare key eating behavior, cognitive, affective, and body variables to determine the similarities and differences between eating-disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic female undergraduates. On the eating behavior (i.e., bulimic symptoms, concern for dieting, weight fluctuation), and some of the cognitive (i.e., impression management, approval by others, dichotomous thinking, self-control, rigid weight regulation, weight and approval) and body (i.e., concern with body shape, satisfaction with face) variables, the eating-disorder group reported the most severe symptoms, followed linearly by the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. On the affective (i.e., sad, anxious, guilty, shameful, stressed, happy, confident, overall self-esteem) and the remaining cognitive (i.e., vulnerability, catastrophizing) and body (i.e., importance of being physically fit and being attractive, satisfaction with body) variables, the symptomatic and eating-disorder groups did not differ from one another but had higher levels of distress than did the asymptomatic women. These findings suggest that (1) counselors need to be aware that a large percentage of female undergraduates are nondiagnosable yet experience eating-disorder symptoms, and (2) these symptomatic women are experiencing high levels of distress, particularly in the areas of affect and body image. KEY WORDS: eating disorders; body image; cognitive distortions.

Objectification Theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) was used to examine (a) the mediation effects of body shame and flow on the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating, (b) age differences in self-objectification, body shame, flow, and disordered eating, (c) the prediction of physical activity from self-objectification, flow, body shame, and disordered eating, and (d) the relationships between self-objectification, flow, and physical activity. Participants were 394 women ages 18-64. Results revealed that (a) body shame mediated the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating, (b) younger women reported higher levels of self-objectification, body shame, dieting, and several flow characteristics, (c) older women scored higher on the loss of self-consciousness subscale of the flow measure, and (d) self-objectification was a significant predictor of physical activity. KEY WORDS: self-objectification; body image; disordered eating.

Recent research reports a link between diet-related behavior and alcohol abuse among women, but fails to explain this relationship. In the present study, a grounded theory approach is used to explore the link between diet-related behavior, body image, and alcohol use among a sample of college students. In the feminist tradition of 'giving voice,' 78 college students participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to generate insight into the socio-cultural practice of diet behavior and its association with alcohol use. Four specific categories of diet-related behaviors in the context of alcohol use emerged. Students reported altering their eating and drinking patterns, self-induced purging, or exercising to stave off unwanted weight gain believed to be caused by alcohol use. These categories are useful for understanding the alcohol-use and diet-related behavior associations reported in previous studies. Results suggest drinking behavior among some college students is perhaps mutually influenced by socio-cultural pressures to conform both to body-image norms and to drinking norms. Interventions to reduce college alcohol use and the social consequences that accompany such behavior may need to take into account these social and psychological factors.

Research shows a high level of concern among Chinese teenage girls regarding weight-related issues. Although few cases of bulimia or anorexia were identified, some individuals satisfied partial diagnosis criteria. Other findings included problematic identification of underweight girls using Western standards for assessing body mass index.

Research indicates that among minority women with high acculturative stress levels, a strong correlation exists between body image dissatisfaction and bulimia. It is posited that lack of acculturative stress may act as a buffer against bulimia among minority women even if they exhibit body image dissatisfaction.

Research indicates that body image disturbance after weight loss remains high for individuals with early onset of obesity, which may be linked to a persistent self-image of themselves from their adolescent years. Caucasians exhibited a higher disturbance score prior to weight loss than other ethnic groups, possibly due to greater social pressure to be slender.

Research on adolescent girls indicates that recurrent body dissatisfaction is linked to early pubescence, mental depression and eating disorders. Consequences in adulthood are also discussed. Data were obtained from 120 girls attending private schools in a metropolitan region.

Research indicates that girls in aesthetic or appearance-oriented sports, such as gymnastics or figure skating, have more concerns about body shape and weight than girls in non-aesthetic sports, such as hockey or basketball, or girls who did not participate in sports.

Research indicates that women with eating disorders exhibit a higher degree of body esteem attribution than women without eating disorders. Body esteem attribution is the assignment of positive outcomes to personal appearance, such as 'I believe my appearance will help me get asked out.'

A review of the available literature on the often ignored issue of body image in boys suggests that future studies on this phenomenon should distinguish between the indices of fat and muscle.

Issues are presented concerning the influence of transient phenomena, ethnic or cultural differences on the lower incidence of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa in Japanese women than in European Caucasian women.

The exterior territories, or surfaces, of the body have become symbols of the self in late modernity. People ware increasingly overwhelmed with messages of youthful ideals: how to stay young or how to get old without signs of ageing. However, studies of the effects of these images on people's own experiences as they grow older seem to be lacking. The present paper reports an empirical study which focuses on body image for men and women of different ages. Four hypotheses, derived from social gerontological theories, are developed and tested against data: the female beauty hypothesis, the double marginality hypothesis, the ageing mask hypothesis and the ageless self hypothesis. The survey, undertaken by 2,002 Swedes, reveals a response pattern with basically positive body images that, for women, is increasingly positive with age. The results are, thus, in sharp contrast to the gerontophobic messages from consumer culture as well as contrary to some gerontological theories. Key Words: Body image, self-image, age identification, consumer culture, embodiment, female beauty, mask of ageing, appearance, body satisfaction

Three hundred twenty-seven undergraduate mostly European American women and men were surveyed to test whether feminist theory about how women come to view their bodies as objects to be watched (Objectified Body Consciousness or OBC) can be useful in explaining gender differences in body esteem. The OBC scales (McKinley & Hyde, 1996) were demonstrated to be distinct dimensions with acceptable reliabilities for men. Relationships between body surveillance, body shame, and body esteem were stronger for women than for men. Women had higher surveillance, body shame, and actual/ideal weight discrepancy, and lower body esteem than did men. Multiple regression analysis found that gender differences in body esteem were no longer significant when OBC was entered into the equation, supporting feminist theory about women's body experience.

This qualitative study used written narratives to examine gender and age patterns in body image, emotional expression, and self-esteem for a total of 209 boys and girls in the fifth, eighth, and twelfth grades. Seventy-six percent of the sample was Caucasian, 18% African-American, 5% Asian-American, and .5% Hispanic. A major finding indicates that boys restrict emotional expression from early adolescence through late adolescence, while girls increase emotional expression during the same age period. Another major finding suggests that girls in late childhood and adolescence are both more negatively and more positively influenced than boys by body image. Both boys' and girls' feelings about themselves are primarily influenced in gender-stereotyped ways.

A meta-analysis was performed to investigate gender differences in attractiveness and body image utilizing 222 studies. The female-to-male variance ratios (VRs) and standardized mean differences (d) were examined with d measured separately for right and left distributional tails. Results showed that males were more satisfied with their bodies as compared to their female counterparts. There was also a more pronounced female variability in body image and age among adult women.

The purpose of this study was to assess how women's perceptions of themselves and their bodies vary by race/ethnicity and class. One hundred and fourteen female students (45 African-American, 69 Caucasian) from two Connecticut community colleges were surveyed. We predicted that African-American women will report higher levels of self-esteem and a more positive body image than Caucasian women. These predictions were supported. Also as predicted, African-American women report possessing more masculine traits and that men of their race tend less to prefer thin, small figured women. Controlling for these 'protective factors' substantially reduces the relationship between race/ethnicity and self-concept. African-American women's racial identity and exposure to the dominant culture did not relate to self-concept measures.

Perceived breast size, breast size satisfaction, body image (body satisfaction and generalized appearance satisfaction) and psychological functioning (self-esteem, self-consciousness, and generalized appearance preoccupation), as well as stereotyping of breast size, were examined in 166 Caucasian and Asian American college women. Caucasian women reported slightly larger perceived and ideal breast sizes, but no significant group differences for any of the other variables were found; groups were combined for subsequent analyses. Both large and small breastedness were associated with lower breast size satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for body size (assessed indirectly by a weight preoccupation measure) and including the interaction of perceived breast size and breast size satisfaction, yielded main effects for weight preoccupation, perceived breast size, and satisfaction with breast size, but no interactions. Over and above the effect of weight preoccupation, smaller perceived breast size was associated with lower breast size satisfaction and with more positive body image, while larger size was associated with higher breast size satisfaction and with less positive body image. Lower self-esteem was associated with lower breast size satisfaction but not with perceived breast size, while higher public self-consciousness, social anxiety, and appearance preoccupation were associated with a mismatch between ideal and perceived size, regardless of whether ideal size was smaller or larger than perceived size. Implications of these findings are discussed within the broader cultural context.

Attitudinal body image is a multidimensional construct that includes body-image evaluation, cognitive-behavioral investment, and affect. This study examined the nature and extent of gender differences in body-image attitudes. College students (n = 277) completed 2 standardized measures of each of the 3 facets of body image. As hypothesized, relative to men, women had more negative body-image evaluations, greater investments in their appearance, and more frequent, cross-situational bodyimage dysphoria. Gender differences on body-image affect (d = .76) surpassed those on evaluation (d = .51) and investment (d = .40). Body weight and body-image evaluation/affect were linearly related for women, but curvilinearly related for men. For both genders, body-image affect was a predictable function of evaluation and investment combined. Scientific and clinical implications are discussed.

The relationship between sexuality and body image is examined using a large sample of adult women who suffer from bulimia nervosa, purging type. The sample answered questions relating to coital and masturbation experience, age of onset of these activities, and self-rated satisfaction with current sexual activity. Results revealed that body dissatisfaction was unrelated to coital experience. Current body dissatisfaction was also found to be predictive of lower incidence, and later onset, of masturbation even as it was also marginally related to self-rated satisfaction with one's current sex life.

Cultural forces influence body-image development in gender-contingent ways, such that women in our society possess more dysfunctional body-image attitudes than men do. However, few studies have examined how women's body-image experiences relate to their own gender attitudes and ideologies. This investigation of 122 college women assessed multiple parameters of body image (i.e., evaluation, investment, and affect) and different facets of gender attitudes and feminist identity development. Results revealed minimal relationships between body-image attitudes and either feminist identity or adherence to traditional gender beliefs at individual/stereotypic or societal levels. On the other hand, traditional gender attitudes at the level of male-female social interactions were associated with stronger and more dysfunctional investments in cultural and personal appearance standards. The scientific, social, and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.