Body image and obesity among Australian adolescents from indigenous and Anglo-European backgrounds: implications for health promotion and obesity prevention among Aboriginal youth

This study examines the relationship between body image and obesity, among 4367 indigenous and Anglo-European adolescents in Australia in 2006. It shows that indigenous adolescents, male and female, were more likely than their non-indigenous counterparts to desire and pursue weight gain. Indigenous...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health education research 2009-12, Vol.24 (6), p.1059-1068
Main Authors: Cinelli, Renata Leah, O'Dea, Jennifer A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Attitudes
Adolescents
Australia
Body Image
Child
Child Health
Cultural Influences
European Continental Ancestry Group
Exercise
Female
Foreign Countries
Group Dynamics
Health Education
Health Promotion
Health Surveys
Health technology assessment
Humans
Indigenous people
Indigenous Populations
Male
Obesity
Obesity - prevention & control
Oceanic Ancestry Group
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Parent Child Relationship
Parents
Peer Groups
Peer Influence
Program Development
Self Concept
Whites
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Summary:This study examines the relationship between body image and obesity, among 4367 indigenous and Anglo-European adolescents in Australia in 2006. It shows that indigenous adolescents, male and female, were more likely than their non-indigenous counterparts to desire and pursue weight gain. Indigenous males showed the greatest tendencies to gain weight and to perceive that they should build up their bodies. They also received the strongest parental advice to eat more, lose weight, do more exercise, do less exercise, and heed warnings that they were not eating enough. The percentage distribution of weight, from obese through to underweight, was not significantly different between indigenous and Anglo-European adolescents. Poor body image among obese adolescents was similar in all groups. This article concludes that indigenous Australian adolescents are more likely to desire weight gain and receive more parental and family advice about the desirability of gaining weight. Indigenous adolescents from around the world may have to grapple with conflicting cultural perceptions involving their own self-image, parental coercion and peer group pressure. Therefore, before planning and designing health education programs for indigenous young people, educators and health professionals should consider cultural attitudes lest they inadvertently create weight concerns, confuse or contradict healthy lifestyle messages.
ISSN:0268-1153
1465-3648
DOI:10.1093/her/cyp040