The Body and the values: The Importance of Slimness among Women and its Relationship with Value Orientation A Case Study of Damghan City

This present investigation discusses slimness as an ideal of beauty and charm. It Probes its importance especially among women and girls. Among many other factors potentially relating to the issue of slimness, this investigation focuses on studying value trends of individuals on the body and the appearance. This is a survey-method research based on a sample of 377 girls and women 15-49 years of age residing in the city of Damghan. The theoretical framework of the research includes theories of Giddens, Ingelhart, Gibbins, and Maslow. The results indicate the existence of value trends in terms of material and post material dimensions which signify the importance of slimness. Also, there exists a relationship among three components of material dimension that include: sexual gravity for the opposite sex, status acquisition and social acceptance; and two components on post material dimension that consist of: self- esteem and self-actualization, signifying the importance of slimness.