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Racial differences in women's desires to be thin

A D Powell¹, A S Kahn

¹Old Dominion University, VA, USA.

The International Journal of Eating Disorders

|March 1, 1995

Summary

White women face greater societal pressure for thinness, leading to higher rates of eating disorders compared to Black women. This study highlights cultural influences on body image and disordered eating behaviors.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Sociology
Public Health

Background:

Eating disorders disproportionately affect white women.
Cultural and societal factors likely contribute to this disparity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the reasons behind the higher prevalence of eating disorders in white women compared to Black women.
To explore the role of body image ideals, weight concerns, and social pressures in this difference.

Main Methods:

Utilized self-report measures to assess body size ideals, weight and dieting concerns, and perceived social pressure.
Compared responses between white and Black women, and white and Black men regarding dating preferences and social ridicule.

Main Results:

White women reported a significantly thinner ideal body size and greater concern with weight and dieting than Black women.
White women perceived greater social pressure to be thin compared to Black women.
White men expressed less desire to date heavier women and greater fear of ridicule for dating larger women than Black men.

Conclusions:

The lower incidence of eating disorders among Black women may be partly attributed to experiencing less societal pressure to conform to a thin ideal.
Cultural norms surrounding body image significantly influence the development of disordered eating patterns.
Interventions addressing societal pressures and promoting diverse body ideals are crucial for prevention efforts.

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