FIGURE 10.5 • Objectification and Eating Problems Objectification theory helps to explain the large gender difference in the prevalence of eating disorders. This theory proposes that whereas boys are encouraged to view their bodies as instruments that can perform tasks (agents), girls are encouraged to consider their bodies as objects and commodities to be evaluated (objects)—which makes girls more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

Source: Adapted from Smolak & Murmen, 2004.