Different shapes in different cultures: body dissatisfaction, overweight, and obesity in African-American and caucasian females.
OBJECTIVE
Body dissatisfaction and medical issues arising at both ends of the weight continuum are discussed from a cultural perspective. More specifically, a possible aesthetic preference and physical tolerance for increased adiposity among African-American females is discussed, as contrasted with that of Caucasian females.


CONCLUSIONS
This mini-review of the existing literature suggests many avenues for future research in the cross-cultural aspects of body dissatisfaction, overweight, and obesity. Among these suggestions are (1) educating children and adolescents about excessive weight, (2) assessing cultural perceptions of overweight and obesity among African-Americans, (3) understanding the developmental trajectory of body dissatisfaction in females, and (4) placing more emphasis on the cross-cultural representation and psychological influence of the female body image in the media.
Padgett
Justina
J
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. Justina.Padgett@cchmc.org
Biro
Frank M
FM
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*