Eating Disorders and Female Sexuality: Current Evidence-base and Future Implications

Abstract This study aimed to examine current scientific production regarding sexuality-related issues in the context of eating disorders (ED). Searches were performed on PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL and PsycINFO, including papers published between 2008 and 2018, using the following descriptors: eating disorders, femininity, sexuality and sexual behavior. Nineteen studies were selected. Findings were systematized into two main thematic categories and showed, in general, that femininity can be a risk factor to the development of ED. Studies indicated that endorsing a gender role that is socially considered discrepant from biological sex, despite feminine or masculine, is related to ED symptomatology. Moreover, body dissatisfaction is positively correlated to sexual dysfunction. Interventions targeting prevention of ED should include sexuality-related issues by approaching probable negative consequences of adhering to female gender role social requirements and stereotypes, especially those related to body weight and body shape.

摘要 本研究旨在考察进食障碍（Eating Disorders, ED）背景下与性相关议题的当前科研产出。研究团队在PubMed、LILACS、CINAHL及PsycINFO数据库中开展检索，纳入2008至2018年间发表的相关论文，所用检索词包括：进食障碍、女性气质（Femininity）、性（Sexuality）及性行为（Sexual Behavior）。最终共入选19项研究。研究结果被系统归纳为两大核心主题类别，整体显示女性气质可能是进食障碍发生的风险因素。研究表明，个体若认同被社会认定为与生理性别相悖的性别角色（无论该角色偏向女性特质还是男性特质），则其出现进食障碍症状的风险更高。此外，身体不满与性功能障碍呈正相关。针对进食障碍的预防干预措施应纳入性相关议题，需探讨遵从女性性别角色的社会规范与刻板印象（尤其是与体重、体型相关的刻板印象）可能带来的负面影响。