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Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brownell, KD
Published in: Behavior Therapy
January 1, 1991

Modern society breeds a search for the perfect body. Today's aesthetic ideal is extremely thin, and now, superimposed on this, is the need to be physically fit. People seek the ideal, not only because of expected health benefits, but because of what the ideal symbolizes in our culture (self-control, success, acceptance). Two assumptions are widespread with regard to body weight and shape. One is that the body is infinitely malleable, and that with the right combination of diet and exercise, every person can reach the ideal. The second is that vast rewards await the person who attains the ideal. Research has shown that biological variables, particularly genetics, are influential in the regulation of body weight and shape. Hence, there are limits to how much a person can change. This places culture in conflict with physiology. In addition, the rewards of being attractive are less than most would expect. There are serious consequences of seeking the ideal and falling short, some psychological and others physiological (e.g., increased health risk for weight cycling). Clinical and research efforts are necessary to help individuals establish reasonable weight and shape goals, and to educate the public accordingly. © 1991 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights reserved.

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Published In

Behavior Therapy

DOI

ISSN

0005-7894

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

22

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 12

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5202 Biological psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

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Brownell, K. D. (1991). Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide. Behavior Therapy, 22(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80239-4
Brownell, K. D. “Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide.” Behavior Therapy 22, no. 1 (January 1, 1991): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80239-4.
Brownell KD. Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide. Behavior Therapy. 1991 Jan 1;22(1):1–12.
Brownell, K. D. “Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide.” Behavior Therapy, vol. 22, no. 1, Jan. 1991, pp. 1–12. Scopus, doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80239-4.
Brownell KD. Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide. Behavior Therapy. 1991 Jan 1;22(1):1–12.
Journal cover image

Published In

Behavior Therapy

DOI

ISSN

0005-7894

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

22

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 12

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5202 Biological psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology