Page "Bulimia nervosa" Paragraph 49

When exploring the etiology of bulimia through a socio-cultural perspective, the “ thin ideal internalization ” is significantly responsible.

The thin ideal internalization is the extent to which individuals adapt to the societal ideals of attractiveness.

Individuals first accept and “ buy into ” the ideals, and then attempt to transform themselves in order to reflect the societal ideals of attractiveness.

J. Kevin Thompson and Eric Stice claim that family, peers, and most evidently media reinforce the thin ideal, which may lead to an individual accepting and “ buying into ” the thin ideal.

In turn, Thompson and Stice assert that if the thin ideal is accepted, one could begin to feel uncomfortable with their body shape or size since it may not necessarily reflect the thin ideal set out by society.

Thus, people feeling uncomfortable with their bodies may result in suffering from body dissatisfaction, and may develop a certain drive for thinness.

Consequently, body dissatisfaction coupled with drive for thinness is thought to promote dieting and negative affects, which could eventually lead to bulimic symptoms such as purging or binging.

Binges lead to self-disgust which causes purging to prevent weight gain.