The number of new cases of anorexia and bulimia that appear each year is alarming; It is even more alarming that this increase does not stop growing. Furthermore, 90% of people with bulimia or anorexia are women.
But why does this happen? Why are women more prone to suffering from anorexia and bulimia? In this article we will try to answer this question, referring especially to social factors (for example, current beauty standards). We will talk about 5 explanatory factors.
Society, beauty canon and TCA
We live in an increasingly exposed society, where more and more bodies come to light. In addition, there is more freedom in many ways: people dress as they want, post the photos they want on the networks, etc.
This is a double-edged sword since, at the same time that we can enjoy our freedoms, and that there is a rising trend in social networks (and exposing everything), we also pay attention to more in the body of others (because of its easy accessibility). This leads us to compare ourselves, to look more in the mirror, to suffer if we do not "adjust" to the prevailing beauty canon (which rewards thinness), etc.
It is when eating disorders (TCA) are born. Two of the most frequent, anorexia and bulimia, have a lot to do with: how we look at our body, how we are mentally (on a psychopathological level), with whom we compare ourselves, why we compare ourselves, etc.Furthermore, it is a reality that women suffer much more from anorexia and bulimia disorders than men (90% of cases are women).
Why are women more prone to suffer from these types of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia? We are going to try to answer this, through the explanation of a series of factors (especially social).
Why are women more prone to suffering from anorexia and bulimia?
Women are more prone to eating disorders (EDs), especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Specifically, up to 90% of cases, both bulimia and anorexia, correspond to women. This means that 9 out of 10 people with eating disorders are women. In other words, only being a woman is a risk factor for suffering an eating disorder
But why does this happen? Is there any explanation for it? There is no single explanation, but rather there are several factors that could explain this fact. Let's meet them:
one. Prevailing Beauty Model
The first factor we refer to to explain why women are more likely to suffer from anorexia and bulimia is a social factor, and has to do with the current model of beauty This model, prevailing in practically all societies and cultures, is a model that extols the aesthetic values of thinness, conveying the message that thinness is synonymous with beauty.
To make matters worse, this beauty model prevails in the female sector, but it is practically non-existent in the male sector. Thus, women feel "pressured" by society (and the fashion sector, above all) to be thin and to take care of themselves, as if the fact of not being so was a reason for shame or synonymous with ugliness.
In this way, the current model of beauty, which praises excessive thinness, would be a key factor that would explain the origin and maintenance of eating disorders in women (especially anorexia). .
Cases of anorexia and bulimia have increased alarmingly in recent years, accompanied by the appearance and promotion of this beauty canon that “rewards” thinness.
2. Social pressure regarding the image
On the other hand, in recent years, and more and more, image has become something very important Social networks too have participated in this process, since we are continuously exposed to the images of others, and implicitly, to comparisons, messages that "we must always be physically perfect", etc.
In other words, there is an invisible social “pressure” to become more and more like the current model of beauty. This model (and the pressure to adapt to it perfectly), logically, ends up being harmful to he alth, and has a significant influence on the appearance of eating disorders.
In addition, women are “penalized” more, at a social level, for being overweight than men. Following this point of view, it is women who more -and better- "must" conform to this beauty canon that advocates thinness (increasingly excessive thinness).
3. Media
The media is another key factor that would explain why women are more likely to suffer from anorexia and bulimia. This is so because the media continually disseminates messages that defend the prevailing model of beauty (which says that only thin bodies are beautiful).
Thus, these messages are perpetuated, and this model is perpetuated. On the other hand, the information broadcast by the media is very easy to access for young girls, who are also still forming their personality, and can show many insecurities due to it.
4. Certain sports or professions
There are some sports and professions where eating disorders are even much more frequent within the general population. These sports are: dance, rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, etc.
The professions are: dramatic art (actresses), models, etc. In addition, girls tend to practice most of these sports and professions more frequently, probably because of a cultural and educational bias, rather than because of their own biology or interests (which, yes, also influence).
In this way, we talk about sports or professions that take image, body and/or thinness into account. That is, sports and professions that receive an extra load of pressure for being thin and for presenting an "impeccable" image.
5. Macho culture
As we already anticipated, the macho culture in which we live immersed advocates thinness, but only in women.Thus, while thin women (who conform to the beauty canon) are "rewarded" or praised, nothing happens to men who do not follow this beauty model.
If we look closely, the one on how to lose weight, bikini operation, how to take care of yourself, how to stay in shape, how to put on makeup, etc., is almost always directed at women. They continually send us messages of the type: “lose weight to be more beautiful” (implicitly or explicitly).
Thus, machismo is at the base of all these facts, which little by little permeate society, especially in younger girls who still do not have a "defined" body or a completely developed.
Logically, if certain personality traits are added to this (insecurity, perfectionism, obsessiveness, etc.), all this can increase the probability of developing anorexia or bulimia.
5. Psychological traits
But not only social factors would be risk factors for suffering an eating disorder, but also psychological factors Thus, some psychological traits may increase the probability of suffering from bulimia or anorexia, such as: showing high self-demand, a need for control, cognitive rigidity and/or obsessive perfectionism.
In many cases, these traits are more prevalent in women than in men, which would also help to answer the question of why women are more prone to suffering from anorexia and bulimia?