Body dissatisfaction across cultures: Findings and research problems

Abstract

This review had two aims. The first aim was to describe the existing literature regarding body dissatisfaction across cultures. Previous studies were organized and presented according to three general patterns found in the existing literature, patterns that were to some extent based on the differing degrees of affluence and type of lifestyles in the cultures examined. The review's second aim was to illuminate some of the specific problems that studies of body dissatisfaction across cultures deal with and to provide suggestions for improvement. The suggestions concern how future research may achieve a more inclusive and detailed picture of body dissatisfaction across cultures, for instance by using diversified measurements, providing detailed information about the cultural groups that are examined, investigating how different risk factors may influence the level of body dissatisfaction in different cultures and widening the research geographically.

Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID) from an Indigenous Alaska Native Female Perspective (A Pilot Study)

“…The participants who had primarily lived in urban Alaska articulated a more Westernized experience of BID than Amy, the participant who had primarily lived in rural Alaska. This might indicate support for a correlation between acculturation and both the prevalence and extent of BID experienced, as found in other studies (Henrickson et al, 2010;Holmqvist and Frisen, 2010;Xie et al, 2010;Berry, 1997).…”

“…Participants did indicate low self-esteem in adolescence and internalization of thin ideals, as found in other studies (Cowan & Heselmeyer, 2011;Juarascio et al, 2011;Van den Berg et al, 2010;Bearman & Stice, 2008;Crow, Eisenberg, Story, & Neumark-Sztainer, 2008). Also, one participant mentioned that living in a rural village lent to less concern with looks or body image, similar to Holmqvist and Frisen's (2010) study on affl uence and body image. However, the participant did acknowledge that the reduced concern could have been the result of her age at the time, rather than the location she was living.…”

“…Similarly, in a study regarding Asian and Hispanic adolescents, those who reported higher levels of Western acculturation also reported higher levels of BID and depression (Xie et al, 2010). The same trends in Western infl uence and a rise in BID have been found within China (Holmqvist & Frisen, 2010). These fi ndings illustrate the concept of acculturation and its role in BID (Berry, 1997).…”

Internalization as a mediator of the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and body image attitudes and behaviors among young men in Sweden, US, UK, and Australia

“…The highest drive for muscularity was reported among American and Australian men. Indeed, the US may be one of the most body-dissatisfied nations worldwide, and is often used as a reference group in cross-national comparisons (Holmqvist & Frisén, 2010). For example, professional football is the most popular sport in the US.…”

How is men’s conformity to masculine norms related to their body image? Masculinity and muscularity across Western countries.

“…Swedish participants have thereafter participated in the longitudinal project at age 13, 16, 18/19, and 21 (see e.g., Erling & Hwang, 2004;Frisén, Lunde, & Berg, in press;Frisén & Holmqvist, 2010;Holmqvist, Lunde & Frisén, 2007;Lunde & Frisén, 2011;Lunde, Frisén & Hwang, 2006, 2007. At the follow-up at age 21 (the focus of the present study), participants were contacted by postal mail or e-mail, depending on the contact details they had provided at their previous participation in the longitudinal study.…”