HEALTH
How Weight and Race Shape Views on Anorexia
Wed Apr 30 2025
People often have strong opinions about anorexia. They might think it only affects thin, white women. But is this true? A recent study looked into how weight and race affect how people see anorexia. They wanted to see if these factors change how severe people think the condition is. They also looked at whether people think those with anorexia need help.
The study had a clever setup. They showed people pictures of individuals with anorexia. These pictures were changed to show different weights and races. This way, they could see if these factors made a difference in how people viewed the condition.
The results were eye-opening. People's views on anorexia changed based on what they saw. If the person in the picture was thin, people thought anorexia was more severe. They also thought the person needed more help. But if the person was heavier, people didn't see it as a big deal. They thought the person didn't need as much help.
Race also played a role. If the person in the picture was white, people thought anorexia was more severe. They also thought the person needed more help. But if the person was black, people didn't see it as a big issue. They thought the person didn't need as much help.
This study shows that people's views on anorexia are not always fair. They are influenced by weight and race. This is a problem because it can stop people from getting the help they need. It's important to remember that anorexia can affect anyone, no matter their weight or race. Everyone deserves the same chance to get better.
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questions
Are pharmaceutical companies funding studies to downplay the severity of anorexia in certain racial groups to control the market for eating disorder treatments?
Could a stand-up routine about body image issues be considered a form of therapy for anorexia nervosa?
What if the only treatment for anorexia was to watch a marathon of funny cat videos?
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