Effect of Ethnic Identity on Attitudes, Feelings, and Behaviors Toward Food

Petersons, Maija; Rojhani, Arezoo; Steinhaus, Nancy; Larkin, Barbara

doi:10.1080/10640260008251228

Cited by 26 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This is important because research communities in the areas of health and intergroup behaviors often recognize a stronger sense of race or ethnic identity as an effective defense mechanism when individuals encounter aversive social environments (e.g. discrimination, unhealthy behavior; Chivira & Phinney, 1991;Petersons et al, 2000). As seen in this study, mediated information could be one such environment that may affect audiences' health-related decisions.…”

Section: The Role Of Racial Identitymentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Because thinness is a key element of White culture, attaining a thin body has become a basis for White women's self-esteem and self-confidence (Gilbert, 2000;Petersons, Rojhani, & Steinhaus, 2000). Being thin serves as a means of gaining approval from in-group members and/or avoiding rejection from them (Milkie, 1999).…”

Section: Cultural Orientation Of Thinness and Racial Differences In Wmentioning

confidence: 98%

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The Role of Racial Identity in Responses to Thin Media Ideals

Fujioka

Ryan

Agle

et al. 2009

Communication Research

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A survey of 286 White and Black female college students examined the racial differences in perception of thin media images and its relation to personal importance of thinness and fear of fat. Consistent with the intergroup literature and social identity theory, this study demonstrated that Black women rated thin media images less desirable and endorsed thinness less strongly than their White counterparts. Perceived desirability of thin media images was related to greater personal endorsement of thinness among both White and Black women but related only to White women's, not to Black women's, fear of fat. Racial identity interacted with race in predicting personal endorsement of thinness, with the highest ratings among high White identifiers and the lowest ratings among high Black identifiers. It did not, however, interact with perceived desirability of thin media images in predicting fear of fat.

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Section: The Role Of Racial Identitymentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Cultural Orientation Of Thinness and Racial Differences In Wmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Role of Racial Identity in Responses to Thin Media Ideals

Fujioka

Ryan

Agle

et al. 2009

Communication Research

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“…Here as well, it is premature to reject the idea that no protections exist. The work that has suggested a shielding effect was done with older respondents, such as college aged women (Abrams et al, 1993;Petersons, Rojhani, Steinhaus, & Larkin, 2000) and it is possible that such protections take hold later in adolescent development or during early adulthood. The respondents in this analysis were aged 12 to 14 and thus were considerably younger than the participants in these other studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Body Size and Depressed Mood

et al. 2007

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The relationship between body weight and depression among adolescent females has been the subject of considerable attention from researchers. The risk of experiencing this distress, however, is not equally distributed across members of all racial groups. African American girls are generally more satisfied with their bodies and thus may be less vulnerable to experiencing depression as a result of weight concerns. Several scholars have suggested that membership in African American culture provides social resources that protect black females from experiencing high levels of weight-based psychological distress. We examine the relationship between body size and depression and the potentially moderating role of African American cultural experiences using data from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS). Assessing a cohort of 342 African American girls ages 12-14, we found support for a link between weight and depression. There was no evidence, however, that exposure to African American culture moderated this relationship. Keywords Body Weight; Depression; Ethnic IdentityObesity is a serious health threat for young people, and particularly for African American youth. Indeed, the percentage of overweight black teenagers has doubled since 1980 and African American girls are among those most likely to be overweight (McNutt et al., 1997). Along side heightened health risks that accompany obesity, the greater likelihood of being overweight also increases vulnerability to social consequences that can range from teasing to overt discrimination (Paul & Townsend, 1995;Register & Williams, 1990;Young & Powell, 1985). Paradoxically, however, while African American women and girls may be more vulnerable to these penalties, there is also considerable evidence that they experience less NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript weight related psychological distress than do their peers from other racial groups (Kumanyika, Wilson, & Guilford-Davenport, 1993;Lovejoy, 2001;Siegel, 2002).This juxtaposition of vulnerabilities and strengths makes it particularly important that researchers understand how African American girls think about and respond to their bodies. To date, much of the empirical evidence for this association has been based upon comparisons between white youths and youths of color. This research has documented important forms of resilience, but may also have encouraged a simplistic view of African American girls as immune to weight-based distress and thus in need of less support when coping with its effects (Beaufort-Lafontant, 2003;Grant et al., 1999).In this paper we examine the relationship between weight and depression in a cohort of African American girls. In our analysis, we focus first on the psychological consequences of being overweight and experiencing weight gain, specifically as they contribute to depression among a middle school aged cohort. Next, we take up the question of ethnicity and culture as protective influences and examine factors unique to being African ...

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“…Likewise, ethnic comparisons suggested that Caucasians were much more affected by body dissatisfaction (Abood & Chandler, 1997, Striegel-Moore, Schreiber, Lo, Crawford, Obarzanek, & Rodin, 2000. When African American women were displeased with their appearance, it was concluded that the dissatisfaction was related to actual weight problems rather than perceived societal pressures (Petersons, Rojhani, Steinhaus, & Larkin, 2000;Smith, Thompson, Raczynski, & Hilner, 1999).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Previous research with African American samples suggested that self-esteem issues were closely tied to the successful rejection of the Caucasian model. For example, past research has substantiated that academic success (Osvold & Sodowsky, 1993), socialization, and identification with others within the Black cultural subgroup (Parker, Nichter, Vuckovic, Sims, & Ritenbaugh, 1995;Petersons et al, 2000), and feelings of self-worth (Caldwell et al, 1997) insulated African American women from body dissatisfaction. Given these results, this study was designed to further evaluate the relationship of body dissatisfaction to probable protective (i.e., self-esteem) and risk (i.e., acceptance of the predominate cultural ideal) factors with an African American college sample.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and self‐esteem in African American college females

James

Phelps

Bross

2001

Psychology in the Schools

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Ninety‐five African American undergraduate females who were attending three predominately Caucasian universities were evaluated for body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness as well as on four dimensions of self‐concept (physical, social, academic, and personal competence). The participants were largely middle class, with 78% reporting parental education levels between high school to college graduation. Results indicated body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness at levels commensurate with Caucasian samples. A hierarchial multiple regression found a combination of physical self‐concept, drive for thinness, and personal competence to be highly predictive of body dissatisfaction in this sample. Using this model, an effective psychosocial prevention program that focused on reduction of risk factors (e.g., drive for thinness) and enhancement of protective factors (e.g., satisfaction with physical appearance and abilities, personal efficacy) would be advantageous. It is suggested that prevention programming with African American women occur within a cultural context that may provide further support. That is, it may be beneficial to facilitate a critical evaluation of current social mores, encourage personal value clarification, and enhance individual resilience within a context of cultural pride. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Effect of Ethnic Identity on Attitudes, Feelings, and Behaviors Toward Food

Cited by 26 publications

References 12 publications

The Role of Racial Identity in Responses to Thin Media Ideals

The Role of Racial Identity in Responses to Thin Media Ideals

The Relationship Between Body Size and Depressed Mood

Body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and self‐esteem in African American college females

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