Effect of Western culture on women's attitudes to eating and perceptions of body shape.

OBJECTIVE

The current study investigated the effect of culture on two factors implicated in the development of eating disorders, negative attitudes toward eating and dissatisfaction with body shape.

METHOD

Hong Kong-born and Australian-born women from two Australian universities were surveyed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Figure Rating Scale (FRS).

RESULTS

Results showed no difference between the groups in eating attitudes, but significant differences in body shape perceptions, with the Australian-born reporting greater dissatisfaction. Hong Kong-born subjects were separated into two groups based on their level of Chinese identity (Western acculturized and traditional). Their EAT and FRS scores were compared to the Australian-born, with Western acculturized Hong Kong-born subjects reporting significantly lower EAT and FRS scores than the Australian-born, whereas the more traditional Hong Kong-born subjects reported equivalent scores.

DISCUSSION

Main implications center around the need for a cross-culturally sensitive definition of eating disorders, the effect of level of ethnic identity on eating attitudes and body image, and the importance of developing culturally appropriate measures.