Author Description

There has been much confusion in the definition of anorexia nervosa and related disorders. It is a complex undertaking simply to catalog the terms that have been applied to the "binge-eating" syndrome. Dr. Levine defines these eating disorders in a clear way, and repeatedly emphasizes the multidimensional nature of these disorders. Today few would challenge the argument that the current cultural preoccupation with slenderness in women has played a fundamental role in the increased incidence of eating disorders. One of the most laudable aspects of Dr. Levine's presentation of the topic of "cultural influences" in this publication is the balance he has achieved between individual and societal contributors to disturbed eating patterns. Moreover, he has gone beyond simply describing the cultural influences and has provided educators with a series of practical recommendations for helping the individual to de-emphasize slenderness as the model of physical attractiveness and to decouple body shape from self-esteem and self-acceptance. He conveys the spirit of personal liberation that comes from the recognition that self-esteem need not be tied to unrealistic social expectations. It very well may be that this type of approach can moderate the continued spread of eating disorders. This book grew out of a series of articles written by the author and several of his colleagues for "The Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin" (Winter 1985).