Ethnic differences in BMI and body/self-dissatisfaction among whites, Asian subgroups, pacific islanders, and African-Americans

To distinguish body mass index (BMI) and body/self-dissatisfaction among Asian subgroups. 211 white, 155 Japanese, 112 African-American, 79 Filipino, 70 Chinese, 70 Hawaiian, and 124 multiethnic college students in Hawaii completed: Figure Drawings (index of body-dissatisfaction), self-loathing subs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2004-04, Vol.34 (4), p.300-307
Main Authors: YATES, Alayne, EDMAN, Jeanne, ARUGUETE, Mara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
African Americans - psychology
Asian American people
Asian Americans - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Image
Body Mass Index
Body shape
Dissatisfaction
Eating behavior disorders
Eating disorders
European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology
Female
Hawaii
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Oceanic Ancestry Group - psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Self Concept
Students - psychology
Universities
USA
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Summary:To distinguish body mass index (BMI) and body/self-dissatisfaction among Asian subgroups. 211 white, 155 Japanese, 112 African-American, 79 Filipino, 70 Chinese, 70 Hawaiian, and 124 multiethnic college students in Hawaii completed: Figure Drawings (index of body-dissatisfaction), self-loathing subscale (SLSS, exercise-based measure of self-dissatisfaction), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI), and symptom self-report. Pearson correlation analyses were performed to determine whether BMI scores were related to self- and body-dissatisfaction and the relationship between self- and body-dissatisfaction. BMI was highly correlated with body and self-dissatisfaction for males and females. Males appeared more satisfied than females with the body and more diverse in choice of larger or smaller ideal body type. Highly significant BMI/ethnic group differences emerged. White males were large (high BMI) but very satisfied with body and self. Filipino males were the largest of all male groups but followed a female pattern of strong body/self-dislike and preference for smaller body. Chinese females were small and highly satisfied with body/self whereas Japanese females were small but highly dissatisfied with body/self. Combining various ethnic groups under a single "Asian" category obscures important group differences. Study clearly demonstrates Asian ethnic subgroup differences in BMI and body/self dissatisfaction.
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/s1054-139x(03)00305-7