The effects of sociocultural differences on the prevalence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in Black and White college women

The study investigated sociocultural differences between White and Black women that may place White women more at risk for developing Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Fifty Black and 50 White college women completed written questionnaires, and were weighed and measured. Subject demographics, socioeconomic status, eating attitudes and behaviors, beauty ideals, body-image, marriage role expectations, and mothers' work histories were assessed. Black subjects had a higher mean body mass index and reported less disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. White subjects indicated greater preference for thinness. Significant racial differences in eating attitudes and behaviors disappeared when other variables were considered. Satisfaction with appearance, importance of appearance, preference for youth, and discrepancy from men's preferences are associated with eating attitudes and behaviors; certain other variables were not. Cultural differences in preference for thinness and body-image may help explain racial disparity in prevalence rates of eating disorders and obesity.