Eating Disorders Among College Women: Factors That Influence Recovery Summary

In the journal “Gender and Society”, there is an article titled “A Longitudinal Study of Eating Disorders among College Women: Factors That Influence Recovery”, written by Sharlene Hesse-Biber, about her belief on the cause of eating disorders. Her argument is that eating disorders are stemmed from low self- esteem caused by a number of different factors. Although she mentioned a number of different factors, she focused more on two of them: relationships and perfectionism. Women who have had unhealthy relationships with their fathers or past boyfriends are more likely to struggle with an eating disorder. Additionally, women who had been perfectionists in high school and got straight A’s will get to college and realize they are no longer the best in

In their early development, up until the time they left for college, both relational and autonomous variables were balanced...In college...they report feeling less academically or athletically accomplished” (Hesse-Biber 391,392). This shows that there is some correlation between women developing an eating disorder and feeling subpar in certain aspects of their live they previously excelled in. Biber explains that these women most likely developed an eating disorder due to their dissatisfaction with certain areas of their life in hopes that eating less would make them feel better about themselves. Regarding the unhealthy relationships factor, Biber explains how “most of the women… reported not having satisfying friendships, not “fitting in”, and dating less” (Hesse-Biber 394). Women feel as though they do not have control of their ability to fit in, so when they do not fit in they may develop an eating disorder in hopes it will help them feel like they have more control over their life. In conclusion, Biber believes eating disorders are caused by a lack of self esteem caused by unhealthy relationships and feeling insignificant in a college