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Body dissatisfaction in midlife women
1Centre for Health and Policy Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, G230 Health Sciences Bldg., 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary AB, Canada. lmclaren@ucalgary.ca
Abstract:
We examined the extent and correlates of body dissatisfaction among 1026 54-year-old women from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. Weight dissatisfaction was reported by nearly 80% of the sample and by over 50% of 'normal weight' women (BMI < 25). Women indicated being most dissatisfied with their bodies currently, relative to their younger years, including their forties. Adjusting for BMI, dissatisfaction was highest in higher social class women and in those who rated themselves in poorer health. Women with poor body esteem, regardless of body size, were likely to avoid various everyday situations because of how they felt about their bodies. Adjusting for BMI, women who were happy with their weight were more likely to report distress about other aspects of their appearance. We suggest that body dissatisfaction in women of this age group merits further attention.