AI Article Synopsis

  • The study explored how South Asian American women perceive eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, focusing on cultural influences through seven focus groups with a mean age of around 20 years.
  • Participants identified cultural stressors and weight stigma primarily from older women in their families, which contributed to their body image struggles.
  • The research highlights the significance of both traditional values and cultural pressures, such as beauty ideals and marriage expectations, in understanding body image issues among young South Asian American women.

Article Abstract

This study used focus group methodology to examine South Asian (SA) American women's conceptualizations of eating disorders (EDs) and body dissatisfaction, and their perspectives regarding cultural influences on these conditions. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, seven focus groups were conducted ( = 54, mean age = 20.11 years, = 2.52). Themes ( = 15) were organized according to the amended objectification theory framework. Women described experiences of cultural stressors specifically related to living in the United States, and weight stigma from multiple sources, especially older women (e.g., mothers, relatives, and ). Participants also experienced pressures to achieve competing body and appearance ideals ("thin" and "healthy"). In addition, they reported pressures to possess light skin, dark black hair, minimal body hair, and marry young, and noted these pressures negatively impacted their body esteem. Findings indicate that a combination of "traditional" and culturally-influenced factors are important to consider when conceptualizing eating pathology and body image in young SA American women.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10497323211036896DOI Listing

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