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The role of cultural values and religion on views of body size and eating practices among adolescents from F iji, T onga, and A ustralia
Author(s) -
McCabe Marita P.,
Waqa Gade,
Dev Anjileena,
Cama Tilema,
Swinburn Boyd A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8287.2012.02090.x
Subject(s) - sociocultural evolution , psychology , cultural values , social psychology , value (mathematics) , eating behavior , sociology , medicine , gender studies , anthropology , machine learning , computer science , obesity
Objectives This study investigated cultural values related to body image and eating practices in W estern and non‐ W estern societies. Design and Methods In total, 628 F ijian, 463 I ndo‐ F ijian, 598 T ongan, and 534 A ustralian adolescents completed measures of cultural values and religious influences in relation to the ideal body and eating practices. Results Fijian and Tongan adolescents were more likely to value a large body. Religious influences were most strongly associated with eating practices for F ijians, I ndo‐ F ijians, and T ongans. Conclusions The findings support the role of religion in transmitting cultural values regarding eating practices in P acific I sland communities. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject?Previous research has demonstrated that sociocultural factors shape body image and eating behaviours. Most of this research has been conducted in Western countries.What does this study add?The current study identifies the role of cultural values and religious influences on body image and eating behaviours in a number of different cultural groups. This is the first study to use the same methodology to explore these relationships across Western and Pacific Island communities.