Aging-related concerns and body image: Possible future implications for eating disorders

We observed a direct correlation between aging-related concerns about the appearance and Drive for Thinness (Eating Disorders Inventory [EDI]), among males (n = 71) (Pearson r = .36, p < .01) and females (n = 102) (Pearson r = .44, p < .01) from a nonclinical sample of shoppers. Among the women there was a direct correlation between the belief that weight loss is associated with youthful looks and both Drive for Thinness (EDI) (Pearson r = .44, p < .01) and Body Dissatisfaction (EDI) (Pearson r = .27, p < .01). Concerns about the cutaneous stigmata of aging, a commonly recognized sign that a person is older, correlated directly with Drive for Thinness (Pearson r = .27, p < .01) and Body Dissatisfaction (Pearson r = .38, p < .01) among the women. These correlations were all obtained after statistically controlling for the effects of age and body mass index. Our empirical observations may have important future implications in the development of eating disorders, as our society continues to place an inordinate value on youthful looks.