Feminity/masculinity and disordered eating in women: How are they related?

Issues around femininity and masculinity have been implicated as etiological variables in the development of eating disorders among women. However, previous research on this subject has produced inconsistent results. This study examined the hypothesis that this inconsistency is due partially to incomplete conceptualizations of sex role orientation. Three aspects of the current female sex role stereotype were considered to be related to symptoms of eating disorders: importance of physical appearance, importance of masculine and feminine traits, and the number of roles a woman considers central to her identity. A non-clinical sample of 45 female undergraduates completed a battery of questionnaires. Results showed no relationship between a standard measure of femininity (the PAQ) and disordered eating. However, importance of appearance was related to both femininity and disordered eating. Furthermore, placing greater importance on possessing socially desirable masculine traits was a significant predictor of disordered eating. Finally, subjects who felt that many roles rather than few roles were central to their sense of self obtained high scores on a measure of disordered eating. These findings are discussed in light of the “superwoman” image and disordered eating, and arguments are made for the development of more complete conceptualizations of masculinity and femininity.