The Psychology of Eating: From Healthy to Disordered Behavior

112 Body Dissatisfaction

number of different aspects of disordered symptomatology, including
drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Similarly, Cooley et al. (2008)
also explored the role of a number of different family-based variables and
reported that the daughter’s body image was predicted by negative feedback
from the mother and criticism. These studies indicate that mother–
daughter relationships influence body dissatisfaction via the nature of the
relationship and not through the provision of a role model. However, whereas
Baker, Whisman, and Brownell (2000) pointed to the daughter’s percep-
tion of this relationship, Ogden and Steward (2000) and Cooley et al. (2008)
highlighted the importance of the mother’s own perceptions.
In summary, it would seem that body dissatisfaction may come from
the media. Further it may be related to ethnicity, social class, and the mother’s
own body dissatisfaction. In addition, it is possible that the impact of such
social influences is mediated through psychological factors such as beliefs
and the nature of relationships.

Consequences of Body Dissatisfaction

If so many women and men show dissatisfaction with their body size and
shape, what are the consequences of these feelings?

Wo m e n

For women the most common consequence of body dissatisfaction is dieting,
with up 70 percent of women dieting in their lives and about 40 percent
dieting at any time. Dieting is discussed in detail in chapter 7. Some women
also smoke as a means to lose weight, and this has been actively encouraged
by the tobacco industry (see figure 6.3). Women also engage in exercise as a
means to change their body dissatisfaction, and some undergo cosmetic surgery.

Exercise
Women, particularly those aged between 13 and 18, exercise less frequently
than men, but there is some evidence that women exercise more now than
they used to do (Cox, Huppert, and Whichelow, 1993). Women who do
exercise mainly participate in keep-fit, yoga, dancing, and swimming.
Health researchers attempt to encourage exercise by promoting its health
benefits. Studies suggest, however, that the main predictors of exercise are
not concern about health but ease of access to facilities, low body fat or