You state that disordered eating often begins in adolescence at the onset of menstruation. What is the relationship between the two?
The onset of menstruation coincides with rather dramatic physical changes in a girl’s body. Because of our society’s emphasis on flat bellies, thin thighs, and narrow hips as the ideal shape for a female body, and because we have no rituals in our culture to honor the transition from girl to woman, these changes can be rather alarming for a young girl. Disordered eating can develop out of her efforts to control her body and feelings about becoming a woman. back to top > Q: Becoming a woman also involves recognizing and trusting her sexual instincts. Unfortunately, as you state, woman get so many mixed messages about their sexuality these instincts can become the hidden causes of disordered eating. What does sex have to do with eating compulsions? A: Most women have internalized our society’s tendency to focus on their sexual desirability rather than on their sexual desires. Consequently, they may not even recognize their desires and instead turn to food in order to fulfill a vague hung
