Final answer:
The statement that African American women are protected from eating disorders due to cultural ideals that do not idealize thinness is false. Eating disorders can affect anyone, and no cultural group is immune based on cultural beauty standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that African American women are protected from eating disorders due to their cultural ideals of beauty that do not idealize thinness is false. Eating disorders are complex conditions that can affect individuals of all ethnicities, and while cultural ideals play a role, they are not absolute protectors against these disorders. It is misguided to suggest that any group is immune based on cultural beauty standards alone.
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are often tied to the societal idealization of thinness, which can be a major contributing factor. Although Western cultures, and particularly White women, are shown to have the highest risk, the diversity in cultural experiences and the universal exposure to media mean that no group is completely shielded from these issues.
Moreover, while images and ideals can influence the prevalence of eating disorders, they do not act as a safeguard for any cultural group. Environmental factors such as abuse, tight parental control over eating habits, and a fragile sense of self-identity also play significant roles in the manifestation of these conditions.