Media in modern society has created an obsession surrounding body image, and body weight. The prevalent rise of obesity of over the past decade has created an ever-widening gap between society’s unrealistic beauty standards, and the body image of the average individual. This paradox can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and negative self-perceptions in obese individuals. Research based on the theories of attraction suggests that obesity can negatively impact an individual’s ability to maintain a romantic relationship over a long period of time. The theories of attraction focus on the physical and psychological aspects of attraction, as well as, the personal influences of attraction.
Review of Evidence An individual’s behavior …show more content…
Alternatively, the fourth study focused on the mental problems associated with obesity. A longitudinal study was conducted on newlywed couples in the southern United States. Data was collected on BMI, depressive symptoms, couples’ behavioral closeness, and overall socioeconomic status. Data indicated a significantly association between women’s BMI and their own depressive symptoms. Women’s BMI was also associated with depressive symptoms in their husbands. Depressive symptoms were shown to contribute to obesity. (Wickrama, Bryant …show more content…
Theories of attraction seek to explain pieces of this complex recipe. The theory “attraction as an attitude” focuses on the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of attraction. Studies three and four primarily focused on the emotional and behavioral consequences of obesity. Data from these studies indicate that obesity leads an individual into a dangerous cycle of emotional trauma and thus becoming more obese. This dangerous cycle begins with an increase of depressive symptoms due to increased BMI, as mentioned in study four; these depressive symptoms then lead to higher BMIs, which lead to increased conflict in couples. The increased conflict leads to women suppressing their emotions, which significantly increases their chances of overeating, which further increases their BMI. (Burke et al., 2010, Wickrama, Bryant
Review of Evidence An individual’s behavior …show more content…
Alternatively, the fourth study focused on the mental problems associated with obesity. A longitudinal study was conducted on newlywed couples in the southern United States. Data was collected on BMI, depressive symptoms, couples’ behavioral closeness, and overall socioeconomic status. Data indicated a significantly association between women’s BMI and their own depressive symptoms. Women’s BMI was also associated with depressive symptoms in their husbands. Depressive symptoms were shown to contribute to obesity. (Wickrama, Bryant …show more content…
Theories of attraction seek to explain pieces of this complex recipe. The theory “attraction as an attitude” focuses on the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of attraction. Studies three and four primarily focused on the emotional and behavioral consequences of obesity. Data from these studies indicate that obesity leads an individual into a dangerous cycle of emotional trauma and thus becoming more obese. This dangerous cycle begins with an increase of depressive symptoms due to increased BMI, as mentioned in study four; these depressive symptoms then lead to higher BMIs, which lead to increased conflict in couples. The increased conflict leads to women suppressing their emotions, which significantly increases their chances of overeating, which further increases their BMI. (Burke et al., 2010, Wickrama, Bryant