Abstract
Body dissatisfaction and associated attitudes were studied in 18–24 years old women from universities in Rosario, Santa Fe,
Argentina (N = 118), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil (N = 81), and mid-Atlantic U.S. (N = 102). Based on anecdotal reports, theoretical concerns, and empirical studies, we expected greater body dissatisfaction
and negative body attitudes in our Argentine and Brazilian samples than in the U.S. sample. Body dissatisfaction was a significant
problem in all samples, but we found few differences in levels of body dissatisfaction. The Argentine and Brazilian samples
scored lower than the U.S. sample on measures associated with disordered eating, experienced less pressure to be thin, and
were less likely to internalize the thin body ideal. Body shame was highest in the Brazilian sample and lowest in the Argentine
sample. Cultural features in Argentina and Brazil that may offer some level of protection against the thin body ideal were
discussed.
Argentina (N = 118), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil (N = 81), and mid-Atlantic U.S. (N = 102). Based on anecdotal reports, theoretical concerns, and empirical studies, we expected greater body dissatisfaction
and negative body attitudes in our Argentine and Brazilian samples than in the U.S. sample. Body dissatisfaction was a significant
problem in all samples, but we found few differences in levels of body dissatisfaction. The Argentine and Brazilian samples
scored lower than the U.S. sample on measures associated with disordered eating, experienced less pressure to be thin, and
were less likely to internalize the thin body ideal. Body shame was highest in the Brazilian sample and lowest in the Argentine
sample. Cultural features in Argentina and Brazil that may offer some level of protection against the thin body ideal were
discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0105-3
- Authors
- Gordon B. Forbes, Millikin University, Decatur, IL, USA
- Jaehee Jung, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Juan Diego Vaamonde, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Alicia Omar, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Laura Paris, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Nilton Soares Formiga, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025