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Womens Experiences of Appearance Concern and Body Control across the Lifespan: Challenging accepted wisdomUniversity of Southampton, UK o.johnston{at}soton.ac.uk
University of Ulster, UK
Queens University of Belfast, UK This study adopted a lifespan approach to womens experiences of appearance concern and body control. Thirty-two women (aged 16 to 77) were interviewed about their exercise and food regulation. Results of the grounded theory analysis challenge social constructions of appearance concern as associated principally with the reproductive years, and of the body as malleable, and highlight the complexity of the relationship between appearance concern and body control. Despite frequent persistence of (or increase in) appearance concern beyond young adulthood, healthier responses to appearance concern occurred due to changing priorities and increasing awareness. Findings highlight the utility of an inclusive and qualitative approach, and the absence of simple and sovereign factors determining an individuals levels of appearance concern or body control.
Key Words: dieting eating disorders exercise lifespan qualitative
Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 9, No. 3,
397-410 (2004) This article has been cited by other articles:
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