Abstracts Womens Studies

The transcultural feminist model: lived experiences, intersectionality, and eating disorders

by Samantha Bobila

Much of the research surrounding eating disorders erroneously focuses on white, female bodies and lacks a human element. The lived experiences, that is to say the actual words, feelings, and memories of those who have suffered from an eating disorder, are lacking substantially from studies on eating pathologies. Moreover, an adequate discussion and analysis of race and ethnicity fails to materialize in much of the medical and sociological studies on eating disorders. This essay seeks to address the disparity and close the gap by taking an intersectional and feminist approach to eating pathologies and bodily development. A critical analysis of medical literature, such as case studies and clinical diagnosis guidelines, is presented and suggests that these texts isolate those who do not fall into medically diagnosable entities. Secondly, feminist research is presented as an alternative means to understanding the development of the female body but also highlights the lack of race and ethnicity as a factor into the progression of an eating disorder. Lastly, the essay takes an intersectional approach to eating disorders by using the actual experience of an individual with an eating disorder. A close examination of race is provided to analyze the development of an eating disorder and this is made possible through the feminist methodology of standpoint theory and self-reflexivity. The essay uses trauma theory, intersectionality, and lived experience as a foundation for discussion. What is most interesting about the outcome is how individual experience seems to differ significantly from what is presented in medical literature and feminist/sociological perspectives on eating disorders and eating pathologies. The essay highlights how eating disorders are highly individualized responses to a trauma – eating disorders become a means of coping, grieving, and essentially living.