Of course, many factors influence the development of disordered eating behaviors, and a drive for thinness is merely one component of this common, complex problem. Research on the psychology of eating disorders has focused on the Western value of thinness. With this focus, it can appear as though women of color are protected by non-Western standards of beauty. The trend appears to be, however, that young women in the U.S., regardless of cultural standards of beauty, remain at risk of developing an eating disorder. In addition to common factors that influence the development of disordered eating and body image problems, such as depression, perfectionism, and power issues, when considering women of color there are additional themes.
Acculturation appears to be one issue that impacts the degree of risk young women of color face.
Acculturation refers to the process one ethnic group goes through in adopting the social patterns and cultural traits of another group. Women and girls who feel great pressure to conform to White, middle class standards of beauty show increased rates of developing eating disorders. This is particularly the case when the young woman of color is living in an environment where her traditional cultural values are degraded by the dominant cultural group. Combined oppression is another factor that adds to the complexity of disordered eating behaviors. Even when raised in an environment where thinness was not considered a criterion for beauty, body image concerns and eating disorders may develop.