Body Dissatisfaction: Among Middle-aged and Older Women

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
21 May 2012

Abstract

With the growing pervasiveness of mass media, individuals of all ages and both sexes are bombarded with images that glorify youthfulness, messages that tie self-worth to thinness, and products that promise youth and beauty forever. Aging women are vulnerable to these societal messages and experience strong pressures to maintain their youth and thinness. As the physiological changes that accompany normal aging move these women farther from the “ideal” image, body dissatisfaction may increase. These women are confronted with the impossible task of trying to defy the natural process of aging through a variety of means, including fashion, cosmetics, selective surgeries, and personal food choices. The resulting body image issues, weight preoccupation, and eating disturbances can lead to voluntary food restriction, depression, social withdrawal, lower self-esteem, and disordered eating, all of which can have a negative impact on quality of life and nutritional status. In this review we explore existing research on body dissatisfaction among middle-aged (30 to 60) and older (over 60) women, discuss the prevalence of body dissatisfaction, its predisposing risk factors, and the resulting eating and body maintenance behaviours, and examine implications for dietetic practice.

Résumé

En raison de l'omniprésence croissante des médias de masse, les gens de tous âges et des deux sexes sont bombardés d'images qui glorifient la jeunesse et qui associent amour-propre à minceur, et de produits qui promettent beauté et jeunesse éternelles. Les femmes qui avancent en âge sont vulnérables à ces messages sociétaux et ressentent une forte pression pour rester jeunes et minces. Au fur et à mesure que les changements physiologiques associés au processus normal de vieillissement les éloignent de cette image « idéale », leur insatisfaction à l’égard de l'image corporelle pourrait s'accroître. Ces femmes sont confrontées à l'impossible tâche de tenter de défier le processus naturel du vieillissement à l'aide de divers moyens, dont la mode, les cosmétiques, la chirurgie et les choix alimentaires. Les problèmes d'image corporelle, les préoccupations relatives au poids et les troubles de l'alimentation qui en découlent peuvent mener à des restrictions alimentaires volontaires, à la dépression, au retrait social, à une diminution de l'estime de soi et à des troubles de l'alimentation; des comportements qui peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur la qualité de vie et l’état nutritionnel. Dans cette revue, nous explorons la recherche existante sur l'insatisfaction à l’égard de l'image corporelle chez les femmes d’âge moyen (30 à 60 ans) et les aînées (plus de 60 ans); discutons de la prévalence de l'insatisfaction à l’égard de l'image corporelle, de ses facteurs de risque prédisposants et des comportements connexes à l’égard du corps et de l'alimentation; et examinons les conséquences sur la pratique de la diététique.

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Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 73Number 2July 2012
Pages: e241

History

Version of record online: 21 May 2012

Authors

Affiliations

Catherine Marshall, BSc, RD
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Christina Lengyel, PhD, RD
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Alphonsus Utioh, PEng
Food Development Centre, Portage la Prairie, MB

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1. Body Satisfaction and Associated Predictors Among Baby Boomer Women in Rural and Urban Manitoba

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