Body dissatisfaction and sexuality among women with bulimia nervosa

Objective Past research and clinical observations have implicated sexuality as a factor involved in eating disorders. Yet little research has been conducted on possible links between body image and sexuality. We investigated such relationships within a large sample of women with bulimia nervosa. Method: A sample of adult women (N= 221) diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, purging type, completed a widely used measure of body dissatisfaction and answered questions about basic sexual experiences (coital and masturbation experience, age of onset of these activities, and self-rated satisfaction with current sexual activity). Results: After controlling for age, age of onset of menses, and current body size, body dissatisfaction was unrelated to coital experience. However, even after controlling for these relevant co-variates, current body dissatisfaction was predictive of lower incidence, and later onset, of masturbation. Current body dissatisfaction was marginally related (p< .10) to self-rated satisfaction with one's current sex life. Discussion: Results are discussed with regard to past research, directions for future research, and clinical implications. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 21: 361–365, 1997.