Intimacy, Body Image and Body Mass Index: the Relationship of Fear of Intimacy, Body Image Avoidance and Body Mass Index: Implications for Understanding Body Weight

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.