Book contents
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Part I Contemporary Perspectives in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Psychology on the Human Body: An Introductory Overview
- Part II Brain without Body, Body without Brain, and Contemporary Body Image Disorders
- 2 Body Schema, Body Image, and Hypermodern Alterations
- 3 Alexithymia and Somatizations
- 4 The Myth of the Perfect Body Image, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Bigorexia
- 5 The Complex Relationship between the Mind, the Body, and the Contemporary Environment
- Part III The Hypermodern Contradictory Relationship with Food
- Part IV Which Possible Horizons? Some Final Considerations
- References
- Index
4 - The Myth of the Perfect Body Image, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Bigorexia
from Part II - Brain without Body, Body without Brain, and Contemporary Body Image Disorders
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 May 2022
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Part I Contemporary Perspectives in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Psychology on the Human Body: An Introductory Overview
- Part II Brain without Body, Body without Brain, and Contemporary Body Image Disorders
- 2 Body Schema, Body Image, and Hypermodern Alterations
- 3 Alexithymia and Somatizations
- 4 The Myth of the Perfect Body Image, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Bigorexia
- 5 The Complex Relationship between the Mind, the Body, and the Contemporary Environment
- Part III The Hypermodern Contradictory Relationship with Food
- Part IV Which Possible Horizons? Some Final Considerations
- References
- Index
Summary
This chapter considers the myth of the perfect body image and the critical role played by the mass media in influencing people's self-image and informing ideals of what is considered beautiful or attractive. The way in which body image is affected by psychosocial factors is analyzed. Many theories and much scientific research about this topic are introduced, followed by an overview of body dysmorphic disorder, and a broad summary of vigorexia (bigorexia), a new and increasingly common disorder, along with several theories and scientific research. Finally, the way in which these two diseases correlate with the myth of the perfect body image is analyzed.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Body Image and Eating DisordersAn Anthropological and Psychological Overview, pp. 51 - 67Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022