Health Effects
The different ways body image can effect your health
For some women, body image dissatisfaction may interfere with their ability to form significant relationships, or to engage in activities they like. Women who feel this way should seek help from a counselor. The Stone Center is open five days a week during the academic year. The counselors provide short term therapy and can refer to an outside therapist as needed (for contact information, connect to the on-campus resources page under "What can you do?").
According to Cash et al. (1986), "people's physical characteristics and body image affect personality development, self-esteem, interpersonal attractiveness, career opportunities, sexual adjustment, and the prevalence of disordered eating behavior."7
Not all women with body image dissatisfaction have an eating disorder, but for those who do, the health effects are significant.
- Women who strive for less than 15% of ideal body weight are at risk for anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is a serious, life-threatening disorder of deliberate self-starvation. Physical complications include cognitive disturbance, muscular weakness, changes in sleep patterns, electrolyte disturbance, anemia, dizziness, osteoporosis, constipation, irregular menses and possible infertility.
- Bulimia involves periodic episodes of uncontrollabe, excessive eating or binge eating, followed by self-induced vomiting or other purgative behaviors (i.e. laxative or diuretic use, excessive exercise). Physical complications include electrolyte imbalance which may result in severe cardiac arrest, dehydration, swelling of fingers, ankles and faces, irregular menses, dental deterioration and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Emotional complications of both anorexia and bulimia include lowered self-esteem, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, frustration, and possible depression. Socially, women may isolate themselves from others and have few, if any, close relationships. Politically women may feel disempowered in helping herself.
- If you are concerned, see "Are you at Risk for an Eating Disorder" (a link to the Wellesley College Stone Center Counseling Service website, "Eating Concerns- Taking Care of Yourself").
Women who choose to smoke as a method of weight control encounter yellow teeth, wrinkles, and bad breath. These women are subject to more frequent colds and bronchitis. Smoking as a lifetime habit is a risk factor for lung cancer, chronic lung disease, emphysema and heart disease.
[See Reference Page for footnotes]
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