Page Sec1:32 - Labyrint 2013 - English Edition
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how satisfied they were with their eating
habits. They had to answer questions
about whether they felt guilty or not when
they ate, whether they ate for emotional
reasons, whether or not they felt too fat,
or if they felt they had to control their
food intake with strict diets.
“If you have an eating disorder, you can’t
solve it using liposuction. But it is worry-
ing that so many people want liposuction
anyway,” says Jávo.
Is life better after surgery?
Iiná Márjá Jávo herself is 28 years old and
a medical doctor who elected to pursue a
research track at the UiT’s
Faculty of Health Sciences.
When she had to choose
a research project in 2004,
she found it easy to choose
the topic of cosmetic
surgery.
“The reason was the TV
programme called ‘Ekstrem
forvandling’ (Extreme
Makeover), which was
shown on TVNorge. I was
especially interested in one
of the participants who, having had sev-
eral beauty operations, said: ‘Now it feels
like all my burdens are gone!’ I found
myself sitting there, wondering if that
really could be. Do all of our problems
disappear if we just change the way we
look?” she said.
“My results show that those who want
surgical intervention, such as breast
enlargement, have an increased risk of
suicide and are often depressed. Another
important factor was that women who
wanted to have a better relationship
with their parents, especially their father,
would consider surgery.”
Morbid perfectionism
Since plastic surgery is now much more
widely accepted, Jávo’s research shows
that women can be easily tempted by
the option and may be encouraged to
undergo the surgery. Society’s focus on
appearance is increasing, which in this
context experts find worrisome.
Associate Professor Gunn Pettersen at
the University of Tromsø has conducted
research on eating disorders for many
years. She sees that young people can be
preoccupied with their bodies, and often
have unrealistic and often unhealthy body
ideals. To illustrate this, she is now work-
ing on a study of people's relationship to
perfectionism.
“Society today has a strong focus on
appearance and perfection. Sometimes
it can be good to focus on those who
always do their best, but perfectionism
can become morbid and destructive,”
Pettersen says.
Clinics on the increase
A study from the Norwegian Board of Health showed that there were at least 49 private organizations that offered cosmetic surgery
on the Norwegian market in 2003 (Board of Health 2004). In 2011 there were 76 private hospitals or clinics that offered cosmetic
surgery. The players today are both clinics that are owned by large international companies, and small clinics and solo firms with
cosmetic surgery as a specialty.
Source:
32
•••
Labyrint E/13
– University of Tromsø
Iiná Márjá Jávo’s research shows that women who want a better relationship
with their father, also consider surgery. Photo: Private
Woman want plastic surgery
My results show that those who
want surgical intervention, such as
breast enlargement, have an increased risk
of suicide and are often depressed.
Research Fellow Iiná Márjá Jávo
“
