Issues of body image and ability to achieve intimacy
are connected to body weight, yet remain largely
unexplored and have not been evaluated by gender.
The underlying purpose of this research was to
determine if avoidant attitudes and perceptions of
one s body may hold implications toward its use in
intimate interactions, and if an above average body
weight would tend to increase this avoidance. The
increasing prevalence of overweight and
obesity in men and women shows no reverse trend, nor
have prevention and treatment proven effective in
the long term. Due to this prevalence, overweight
and obesity are not considered abnormal, while our
society continues to treat these conditions
unfavorably. As a result, we understand little about
the epidemic of obesity and how to best achieve and
maintain a healthy body weight. The results of this
research provide a new framework for understanding
these issues in prevention and treatment.