The female aging body: A systematic review of female perspectives on aging, health, and body image

ABSTRACT

While most body image research has focused on young female populations, evidence has shown that as few as 12% of older women are satisfied with their body size. Recent studies have also highlighted how anti-aging discourses are promoting unrealistic body norms, which have shown to contribute to poor body image and altered health behaviors. A systematic review of empirical studies focused on older women’s perspectives of health, body image, and the aging body is presented. Findings support that body image is a persistent, lifelong issue for women and should be considered when implementing healthy aging policies and practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageism
• aging women
• body image
• health constructions
• systematic review

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the Newfoundland and Labrador Center for Applied Health Research for funding the Female Aging Body Project. This manuscript is the first part of a larger project looking at enhancing our understanding of women's experiences with the aging body and applying this knowledge to inform health policy and practice.