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Sociocultural factors in the development of anorexia nervosa in a black woman
Author(s) -
Willemsen Ellen M.C.,
Hoek Hans W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20234
Subject(s) - sociocultural evolution , anorexia nervosa , psychology , cultural influence , developmental psychology , eating disorders , psychiatry , sociology , ethnology , anthropology
Background In an earlier study, we found that anorexia nervosa (AN) does not occur among Black women on the Caribbean island of Curaçao.Method A case report is presented of a Black Antillean woman with AN, who was referred to a center for eating disorders in The Netherlands. In Curaçao, our patient succeeded in gaining weight to become more attractive. Due to subsequent problems in the relationship with her partner, she deliberately lost weight to become less attractive.Results After immigrating to The Netherlands, she adopted the Western cultural ideal of thinness and developed AN.Conclusion This case illustrates the role and possible effects of sociocultural factors in the development of AN. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006