The desire to meet the model's ideal is so intense that nearly half of all average-weight women actually consider themselves overweight, according to surveys conducted by Thomas Cash, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. To find out, take this quiz adapted from The Body Image Trap by Marion Crook. Answer these yes or no questions. A key to interpreting your answers follows. Although almost every woman feels compelled to do something to maintain her looks, women in their thirties and forties may have the most difficulty doing it, says Susan Olson, Ph.D., director of psychological services at the Southwest Bariatric Nutrition Center in Tempe, Arizona.
Women are in the middle of careers, raising children and possibly caring for their aging parents.
When they do, they all of sudden realize they're getting older, and that's scary. So it's probably not surprising that women are keeping plastic surgeons busy. Seeking Function over Form Of course, good looks don't guarantee that you will have a good body image or that you will age more gracefully than others. People who are used to getting attention for their looks actually struggle more with aging than a person who is more plain-looking. Instead of worrying if they can still fit into a size eight dress, they're more concerned that their backs will hurt tomorrow if they play golf today.