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Abstract. This current cross-cultural study was designed to examine the role of sociocultural influences on disordered eating behaviors in two Spanish-speaking countries (Spain and Mexico). The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), the Bulimia Test (BULIT) and the Questionnaire on Influence on Body Shape Model (CIMEC, in Spanish) were administered to 862 students (Spain, 254 females and 184 males; Mexico, 243 females and 181 males). The data analysis revealed that there were no significant main effects of “Country”; there was significant main effect of “Gender” in the distress due to body image (p = .001), influence of verbal messages (p = .035) and influence of social models subscales (p = .008); and in main effects of “Symptomatology” in all the subscales (distress due to body image, influence of advertising, influence of verbal messages, influence of social models and influence of social situations). In the interactions only was found differences in “Country x Gender” (influence of advertising [p =  .029]). These findings support the differences reported between males and females; as well as to underline that the effect of the sociocultural influences appears to change across time as culture change.Key Words: Cross-cultural, disordered eating behaviors, sociocultural influences, Mexico, Spain. Resumen. En este estudio transcultural se evaluó el rol de las influencias socioculturales sobre conductas alimentarias no saludables en dos países hispano-parlantes (España y México). El Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT, por sus siglas en inglés), el Test de Bulimia (BULIT) y el Cuestionario de Influencia del Modelo Estético Corporal (CIMEC) fueron administrados a 862 estudiantes (España, 254 mujeres y 184 varones; México, 243 mujeres y 181 varones). El análisis de los datos reveló no diferencias significativas en los efectos principales de la variable “País”; en los efectos principales de la variable “Género” se encontraron diferencias significativas en las sub-escalas malestar con la imagen corporal (p = . 001), influencia de los mensajes verbales (p = . 035) e influencia de los modelos sociales (p = . 008); y en los efectos principales de la variable ”Sintomatología” en todas las sub-escalas (malestar con la imagen corporal, influencia de la publicidad, influencia de los mensajes verbales, influencia de los modelos sociales e influencia de las situaciones sociales). En las interacciones sólo se encontró diferencias en “País x Género” (influencia de la publicidad [p = .029]). Estos datos apoyan las diferencias reportadas entre mujeres y varones; así como subrayan que el efecto de las influencias socioculturales cambian a lo largo del tiempo. Palabras clave: Transcultural, conductas alimentarias no saludables, influencias socioculturales, México, España.

The aim of this study was to assess eating behaviours and attitudes in a community sample of 615 adolescent Mexican students recruited at a middle school (192 boys and 226 girls; mean age +/- standard deviation 13.56+/-0.09) and high school (90 boys and 107 girls; mean age 16.04+/-0.12 years), who completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), the Bulimia Test (BULIT) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Multiple analysis of variance revealed the significant effect of gender on the negative feelings, body dissatisfaction, drive of thinness and perceived social pressure subscales, and school level on the body dissatisfaction and food preoccupation subscales. Among the high school girls, the gender x school level interaction had a significant effect on negative feelings, body dissatisfaction, drive of thinness, food preoccupation and perceived social pressure subscales. These data support previous findings concerning gender, and also suggest that perceived social pressure in the case of girls and food preoccupation in the case of boys could be important factors in the natural development of eating disorders.