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(In)Visible: An Examination Of Eating Disorder Detection In Marginalized Women As A Function Of Weight Status And Ethnic Group Membership, Margaret Head

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Women with eating disorders (EDs) from marginalized groups (e.g., higher weight women; Women of Colour) are under-treated compared to non-marginalized women. A reason for these disparities may be that women from marginalized groups do not fit the stereotype of a person with an ED (e.g., thin, White), and therefore ED symptoms are not recognized. The present study tested the impact of weight status and ethnic group on layperson detection of ED symptomology. Undergraduate students (N = 194) read a personal disclosure from a female target describing eating pathology. The target was described as “underweight”, “average weight” or “overweight” and …