Research Article
Examining Associations of Sexual Attraction and Attitudes on Women's Disordered Eating Behavior
Sarah M. Bankoff,
Amy K. Marks, Lance P. Swenson, David W. Pantalone,
Corresponding Author
Sarah M. Bankoff
VA Boston Healthcare System
Please address correspondence to: Sarah M. Bankoff, Primary Care Service (11PC), VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDavid W. Pantalone
University of Massachusetts Boston
The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health
Search for more papers by this authorSarah M. Bankoff,
Amy K. Marks, Lance P. Swenson, David W. Pantalone,
Corresponding Author
Sarah M. Bankoff
VA Boston Healthcare System
Please address correspondence to: Sarah M. Bankoff, Primary Care Service (11PC), VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDavid W. Pantalone
University of Massachusetts Boston
The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health
Search for more papers by this authorWe conducted this research at Suffolk University, Boston, MA.
Abstract
Objective
We aimed to expand the scant research on disordered eating in women identifying same-sex sexual attractions.
Method
We used multiple linear regressions to explore potential mechanisms driving disordered eating—both explicit and implicit weight bias and heterosexism—in a cross-sectional, online-recruited community sample of women (N = 437). Participants endorsed a range of sexual attractions from exclusively opposite-sex (21.1%) to exclusively same-sex (19.5%) attraction.
Results
Findings revealed no associations between sexual attraction and disordered eating. Awareness of sociocultural norms valuing thinness accounted for disordered eating for all women, regardless of sexual attraction, and was influenced by attitudes regarding weight. Among women endorsing same-sex attractions, self-reported internalized heterosexism influenced disordered eating.
Discussion
Findings contradict long-held beliefs that same-sex attracted women are protected from disordered eating. They emphasize a universal risk, for all women, of sociocultural norms valuing thinness, as well as the risk of internalized heterosexism among same-sex attracted women.
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