Body size preference and body weight perception among two migrant groups of non-Western origin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate body size preference, body weight perception and their relationship with actual weight in two migrant groups of non-Western origin, Turks and Moroccans; additionally, to study the association between body size preference and acculturation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Males and females (18-30 years) were randomly selected from the population registry (n 451); participants, or at least one of their parents, were born in Turkey or Morocco. Body size preference was assessed using seven silhouette drawings and body weight perception was assessed by asking participants' opinion of own weight. Acculturation variables were generation status and two scale measures, cultural orientation and social contacts.


RESULTS
Participants showed preference for a thin body size. The discrepancy between ideal and current size was significant in women but not men (P < 0.001). Perceived current body size was correlated with BMI (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.60, P < 0.001 (men) and 0.73, P < 0.001 (women)). Among overweight participants (BMI = 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), 63-82 % of men and 35 % of women perceived themselves as 'average'. Paying attention to own body weight was associated with a discrepancy between ideal and current size among women and with perceiving oneself as 'overweight' among men. Body size preference was not significantly associated with the three acculturation variables.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not observe a preference for large body sizes in these two non-Western migrant groups. Similar to Western populations, most women wished to be thinner than they were. This was not the case among men, the majority of whom were also unaware of being overweight.
Nicolaou
Mary
M
Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.nicolaou@amc.uva.nl
Doak
Colleen
C
Dam
Rob van
Rv
Hosper
Karen
K
Seidell
Jaap
J
Stronks
Karien
K
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000208:ethnology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult