Cultural Expectations of Thinness in Women

TLDR

Cultural pressure for thinness among women is linked to eating disorders and has intensified alongside rising average body weight in young women. The study aims to document and quantify the 20‑year shift toward a thinner female ideal in our culture. Analysis of Playboy centerfolds, Miss America contestants, and diet articles over two decades reveals a clear trend toward a thinner ideal, which the authors link to rising anorexia nervosa rates.

Abstract

The cultural pressures on women to be thin and diet have been linked to the expression of serious eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. The current study attempts to document and quantify the shift toward a thinner ideal shape for females in our culture over the last 20 years. Data from Playboy centerfolds and Miss America Pageant contestants indicated a significant trend toward a thinner standard. Over the same period there was a significant increase in diet articles in six popular women's magazines. These changes occurred within the context of increasing population weight norms for young women. Biosocial implications including the apparent recent increase in anorexia nervosa are discussed.