Kelly E. Kinnison, M.A.,
and Nicole Tabeta, B.A.
Ongoing commentary and controversy about dangerously underweight models and stick-thin celebrities serve as potent reminders of women's unrealistic and potentially deadly quest for the 'perfect' body. Estimates are that 3 percent of women in the United States have eating disorders, and a recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found anorexia nervosa to be the third most common chronic illness in teen girls. Eating disorders take a serious toll on women's bodies; osteoporosis ( bone loss ) and heart problems are complications of long-term unhealthful eating behaviors of women with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder.
Studies of women's unhealthful eating have drawn connections between dieting and women's perceptions of what potential romantic partners find desirable. While some researchers think lesbians may be at a lesser risk for eating disorders because they are less concerned with male standards of female beauty, other studies suggest lesbians are just as susceptible to multiple, lifelong cultural messages about women's appearances as heterosexual women are.
The 2001 Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women ( CHLEW ) study found that 9 percent of lesbians reported a food binge ( defined as excessive eating accompanied by a sense of loss of control ) in the last month, 2 percent reported purging behavior ( such as using laxatives or vomiting ) , and 5 percent reported dieting intensely. About a third ( 31 percent ) said weight and shape were 'very important' or 'the most' important thing to them. In a comparable sample of heterosexual women who were asked the same questions, 5 percent reported binging, 1 percent reported purging and 7 percent reported dieting intensely. Thirty eight percent of the heterosexual sample said weight and shape were 'very' or 'most' important to them. While these figures show more risky eating behaviors—like binging and purging—among lesbians and more dieting and greater emphasis on weight and shape among heterosexual women, they also suggest that lesbians are more alike than different from heterosexual women.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women with eating disorders often have histories of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and childhood sexual abuse. These are all health issues that are common in both lesbians and heterosexual women; however, data from CHLEW suggest there may be different connections between these issues for lesbians and heterosexual women and that sexual orientation may be important in understanding the underlying causes of eating disorders in women.
For more information on eating disorders or for referral information call the National Eating Disorders Helpline ( toll free ) 800-931-2237 or visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
The CHLEW Study recently completed the second wave of data collection. The study would like to thank all of the women who make this research project possible through their continued participation. We look forward bringing you future columns about lesbians and their health as we begin to review all of the information that we gathered in our second round of interviews.
Call 866-933-3459 or e-mail chlewstudy@yahoo.com .