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The perception of body image varies significantly between Middle-Eastern and Western cultures, as revealed by a recent international study that examines the cultural and familial influences on body image and eating behaviors among young women.
Conducted by researchers at Flinders University and published in the journal Body Image, this study surveyed over 850 women, aged 18-25, from Australia and Lebanon, focusing on the impact of maternal and sibling relationships on body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and eating habits.
Melanie Deek, lead author and registered psychologist pursuing her PhD, indicated that although women from both regions exhibited similar levels of body dissatisfaction, those from the Middle East expressed greater body appreciation than their Western peers.
“These results challenge the notion that negative body image is a universally felt experience,” Ms. Deek highlights from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. “The unique cultural values and strong family ties prevalent in Middle-Eastern societies may foster a greater sense of self-acceptance among women.”
This observation suggests that familial and cultural influences in the Middle East might protect against negative body image and disordered eating behaviors.
The research underscores the crucial role family, particularly mothers, play in shaping both positive and negative body image perceptions.
“Mothers were shown to have a consistently stronger influence than sisters in terms of impacting body image and eating habits,” Ms. Deek notes.
Interestingly, the study found that Middle-Eastern women often engaged in “fat talk”—conversations about weight and appearance—within their families. However, these discussions were linked to positive effects, enhancing body appreciation and indicating a more complex cultural dynamic.
Additionally, the research highlighted differences in eating practices, revealing that Middle-Eastern women were more inclined to adopt mindful eating habits, which involve consuming food without distractions. These habits are associated with improved mental and physical well-being.
“This emphasis on mindful eating may not only lead to healthier dietary choices but also foster a more positive body image,” says Deek.
Senior researcher Professor Ivanka Prichard, an expert in body image, stated that the study’s outcomes challenge assumptions regarding the predominance of body image concerns in Western society.
“While Western beauty ideals are indeed proliferating across the globe, our findings reveal that cultural and familial influences remain vital in shaping self-perceptions among young women,” Professor Prichard asserts.
“To effectively combat body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, we must devise interventions tailored to specific cultural contexts, rather than applying generic solutions.”
The research team intends to broaden the scope of their study to encompass more regions in the Middle East, particularly those less affected by Western beauty standards, and to investigate how these findings might apply in multicultural environments such as Australia.
“This work emphasizes the importance of embracing culturally sensitive strategies to foster positive body image and promote healthy eating practices on a global scale,” concludes Ms. Deek.
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