This study examined the relationship between sexual orientation and eating disorders in women using a non-clinical sample of 45 homosexual and 64 heterosexual women, Subjects completed two self-report inventories composed of questions regarding weight, body image satisfaction, eating attitudes, and eating behaviors. Homosexual women were significantly heavier than heterosexual women, desired a significantly heavier ideal weight, were less often concerned with weight and appearance, and had less drive for thinness. Homosexual women of normal weight were more satisfied with their bodies than heterosexual women. Homosexual women's greater body satisfaction and lower concern with weight and appearance may contribute to their lower rates of eating disorders.
Body image dissatisfaction is
likely related to the prevalence of dieting (Gray, 1977), anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa (Polivy & Herman, 1985, 1987). The lower frequency of homosexual women with eating disorders (Abraham & Beumont, 1982) suggests that they may be more satisfied with their bodies than heterosexual women. Patient records at the Massachusetts General Hospital Eating Disorders Unit show that in the past 10 years less than 5% of the female patients had identified themselves as homosexual. An investigation comparing heterosexual and homosexual women's atti- tudes and perceptions towards body image satisfaction could help explain the differential prevalence in the occurrence of eating disorders between heterosexual and homosexual women. Investigators have determined that most women are dissatisfied with their current weights and figures (Fallon & Rozin, 1985). Fallon and Rozin (1985) found that women