Because such eating disorders as anorexia and bulimia have been found to be more common in women than in men, much recent research on these disorders has examined their relationship to gender roles. Some evidence exists supporting the existence of two types of eating disorders; one associated with stereotypically feminine concerns, the other associated with stereotypically masculine concerns. Two studies were conducted to test this hypothesis. In study 1, 184 females attending a state university were surveyed regarding bingeing behavior. In study 2, questionnaire data previously collected from 326 female college students were reanalyzed. In study 1, respondents who reported bingeing at a moderate frequency placed low importance on intelligence but not on homemaking, whereas frequent bingers placed low importance on homemaking but not on intelligence. In study 2, moderate bingers reported that their parents emphasized attractiveness but did not hold negative attitudes toward female intellectual and professional achievement. In contrast, frequent bingers reported that their parents held negative attitudes toward female achievement but did not emphasize attractiveness. It has become particularly difficult for researchers to become aware of the two types of eating disorders because both types are related to a thin standard of female bodily attractiveness. (10 references) (LLL)