My issues have nothing to do with the church and everything to do with Southern belle culture and expectations, wherein a woman’s only worth is her beauty so as to snare a good (read: rich and/or headed that way) husband, especially if her family is not so well off.

It was laid on me at the age of 5 by my grandmother, enforced by my mother (herself just as much a victim as I), and reinforced by my own self-loathing.

I think the behavior we are ascribing to the church is something that has been around long before the church was. The history of clothing construction is testament to its longevity.

Interestingly, religiosity and eating disorders have a high correlation. There are many theories as to why: 1) People attracted to strict rules find comfort in the control of eating disorder behavior, 2) There are no other outlets for addictive behavior (see D’Arcy’s comment), 3) Religion breeds/attracts perfectionists, 4) Highly patriarchal religions give women less control and so they seek it in other outlets, 5) There are also high correlates with OCD, perfectionism, anxiety disorders, abuse and religiosity as well as eating disorders- maybe religion acts as a form of treatment and/or exacerbates the above inclinations, etc. Ultimately, eating disorders are often used as coping mechanisms for many things: control, self-esteem, abuse, sin, anxiety, stress, OCD, perfectionism, grief, etc. And like many other coping mechanisms, drugs, alcohol, sex, and food all change our biology and can make us physically dependent. However, unlike the rest, you can’t “get sober” from food! So it’s not an easy thing to deal with on your own. I applaud you!

Your analysis that you physically grew in strength and diminished to disappear is something I’ve heard before and it is really insightful. Thanks again. Hopefully we can bring this issue up more as BYU is one of the worst campuses in the world for eating disorders and it is something plaguing LDS women. Any outlet for discussion is helpful.

I also have struggled with starving and stuffing over the years. Part of me did wonder if it was a religious thing at times. It seemed like many people could go out and drink their woes away , or smoke, or do several other addictive things that helped them deal with stress or whatnot. I always wondered if LDS women had more weight issues because they didn’t have these outlets. I’m not advocating these outlets, obviously they are just as unhealthy as the starving/stuffing, but they aren’t as noticeably visible on the body.

For me, it’s almost like I was being “perfect” in so many ways, that food was the ONE way I let myself be imperfect and comfort myself. I don’t know. It’s an interesting idea. People in general need outlets during times of mental stress.

I’m glad you’re in a healthy place. This is such a personal journey for each man and woman. It’s just a spiritual connection between body and soul, and recently, I’ve felt more connected in practicing the Eastern religious philosophies of meditation, yoga, affirmations, and breathing.

G, this post is awesome, & i love how the more we address this issue, the less LDS gal ‘trophyism’ inclusion/exclusion — & I have to put a bid in here toward claims that LDS male sexuality has somehow stamped itself into LDS women’s sexuality (& vice versa, I’m sure).

And due to this, fabulous gals (such as ourselves) are enculturated at the very deepest levels to remain ‘the little girl for patriarchal control, patriarchal rape’ – that is to say, that there is a ‘stigma’ of this pedophiliac, alpha male hording at the level of: siblinghood, dating, attraction, marriage, media, churh authority, etc.

Nothing new I’m offering here, but just wanted to briefly remind how easily caught up us gals can become by reason of not only OUR obsession of body, but MALE obsession of body (which is basically penus originated, & not intelligent).

This particular pedophiliac obsession of female body (due to, I think, a kazillion subreasons) is purely animalistic, biological–not even artful, intelligent.

In this grain, there is no such thing as ‘modern’ man. And because of that, no such thing as ‘modern’ woman, LDS or other, as too many continue to exacerbate the primitive unconsciously.

Sharon, I’m glad the current patriarchal structure of the Church works for you, but I think you might do well to try to be sensitive to those women who are troubled by the discrepancies of opportunity, leadership, and service that LDS women so obviously face.

We are preached at ad nauseum about how much our men leaders love us and how needed we are, and even how men and women are equal in the Church, but that doesn’t make us feel better when we see what’s right in front of our face. In fact it’s a double affront, because not only are we forced to deal with a hierarchical structure that devalues women, we are also being told that we are delusional. Not helpful.

Now, like Emily, I struggle with negative body image issues. It’s hard for me to deal with all the weight I gain during pregnancy. I feel bad about it and it hurts my confidence that I can’t seem to keep the weight under control.

Here’s to hoping for more positive feelings toward my body in the next few years.