Unraveling the Thin Ideal: Examining the Intersection of Sociocultural Fatphobia, Diet Culture, and their Impact on Women's Vulnerability to Eating Disorders
Unraveling the Thin Ideal: Examining the Intersection of Sociocultural Fatphobia, Diet Culture, and their Impact on Women's Vulnerability to Eating Disorders
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Issue Date
2023-10
Authors
Pesa, Alexandra
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Abstract
This capstone project investigates the impact of sociocultural perspectives on thinness, body image concerns, eating disorder development, and the glorification of the thin ideal in women. It delves into Western culture's values of thinness and fatphobia, which contribute to disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, and size-related stigma in women. The research also aims to understand how these factors contribute to eating disorders and weight stigma inside and outside the counselling room. Western society emphasizes youth and thinness, affecting various aspects of individuals' lives. It reinforces the idea that women's body shape and size directly correlate with their societal worth, leading to the belief that altering their bodies can enhance their intrinsic value and life satisfaction. This pressure leads to women internalizing negative views about their bodies, causing distress and an obsession with conforming to beauty ideals promoted by consumerism and media. Furthermore, the project explores how body size and shape become cultural identities, subjected to stereotypes and discrimination comparable to race, socioeconomic status, and gender. Understanding Western beauty ideals and their influence on diet culture and persistent dissatisfaction with one's appearance is crucial to this exploration. By addressing these issues, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of sociocultural factors impacting body image, eating disorders, and the glorification of thinness in women. Its findings can inform society and propose preventive measures to mitigate the negative effects of these sociocultural influences, fostering a healthier, more inclusive environment that promotes positive body image and well-being for all.
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Keywords
fatphobia , weight stigma , diet culture , thin ideal , disordered eating
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States , openAccess