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Psychology Colloquia

27 February 2007

Title

"Body dissatisfaction in women and men: Why it’s important, how we got here, and what’s next?"
 

Speaker

Ali C. Pepper, M.A. is a 3rd year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Program at The University of Montana. She is primarily interested in research on eating disorders. Her supervisor in Dr. Christine Fiore.
 

Time & Venue

4:10pm, SS 356
 

Abstract

This presentation focuses on the pervasive and complex problem of body dissatisfaction in American women and men. Three specific goals are addressed. The first goal is to briefly highlight why it is important to discuss the increasing dissatisfaction that Americans have toward their bodies. Specifically, body dissatisfaction is important because of its strong relationship not only with eating disorders, but also with depression, anxiety, and substance use. In addition, current research suggests that body dissatisfaction is occurring in children of younger and younger ages. Implications of such research will be explored.

The second goal is to address the question, how did we get here? In other words, how did women and men in America become dissatisfied with their bodies? To address this question, the evolution of women’s ideal body types over the last century is chronicled through an adaptation of Joan Jacobs Brumberg’s, The Body Project. For example, through media such as early newspaper ads and current magazine covers, I illustrate the development of women’s ideal body types from the pear-shaped Victorian physique to the contemporary waif-like frame. Furthermore, the history of ideal body types for men will be examined. A discussion of current issues will follow. For example, recent research suggests that while body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns are prevalent in America, obesity is a national epidemic. The resulting question is how to reconcile these two extremes.

The third goal is to question what’s next. In this section, implications at the cultural and professional levels are examined. For example, I will acknowledge changes in popular culture, which includes the recent ban of underweight models in a Madrid fashion show and the media’s increasing emphasis on healthy body types. Lastly, for professionals, suggestions for future research are suggested.

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last revised 06 February 2007

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