Are women hard-wired to worry about their weight?

Today's "breaking news" is courtesy of the NY Daily News.  It suggests, based on a recent study, that women (not men) are designed by nature to be self concious of their weight, no matter their size. 

The study, conducted at BYU in Utah, consisted of 10 normal weight women & 9 normal weight men between 18 & 30.  The participants' brain activity was monitored using a funtional MRI as they were showed an array of various images, consisting of both slim & overweight individuals.  As they viewed the images, they were told to imagine that their body type was of those shown in the images.  Despite the fact that all 10 women claimed to "not care about any body issues", each of their brain activity showed that it is very bothersome for them to think about the posibility that they may become overweight as indicated in the rise in activity in the part of the brain linked to self image and self worth.  When showed the images of thin individuals, the activity in the same brain region was significantly lower.

Men showed no change in brain activity whether they imagined themselves thin or fat.

Constantly getting bombarded with photos of starved-looking models and actresses may make women think that being skinny is best.  Many women learn that bodily appearance and thinness constitute what is important about them, and their brain responding reflects that,” psychologist Diane Spangler, a researcher from the study reported. “I think it is an unfortunate and false idea and does put one at greater risk for eating and mood disorders.”



Until Tomorrow!
Keep healthy, keep safe and keep going!

Have an awesome day!

♥Fit~NOW~Girl♥