Women and food dependence

Abstract

This chapter focuses on women’s somewhat problematic relationship to food and develops a feminist analysis of women’s use and misuse of food or addiction to food. As we know from previous chapters, women are users of a whole series of substances that are mind-altering. Women who use addictive substances are viewed as either out of control, in need of control or both. Women who ‘abuse’ food are seen in a similar light.

… the space of a silhouette entering the space of silence … the womon who walks beyond the streets of desire the womon who has always walked these streets with passion the womon who has taken over the space of her body and the womon who has refused to conquer that space … (‘whoever i am i’m a fat woman’, Sharon Bas Hannah)