Lead author, registered psychologist and PhD candidate Melanie Deek, Flinders University (Credit: Flinders University)
A groundbreaking international study led by Flinders University reveals significant cultural differences in body appreciation and eating behaviors among young women from Middle Eastern and Western societies. The findings, published in the journal Body Image, underscore how family dynamics and cultural norms shape the way young women perceive their bodies and manage eating habits.
The study surveyed more than 850 women aged 18–25 from Australia and Lebanon, aiming to explore how maternal and sibling influences contribute to body image dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and disordered eating patterns.
Lead author Melanie Deek, a registered psychologist and PhD candidate, notes that while both cultural groups reported similar levels of body dissatisfaction, women from Middle Eastern backgrounds exhibited higher levels of body appreciation than their Western peers.
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“These results highlight the protective role of culture and family support in fostering a positive body image,” said Deek. “Understanding these cultural nuances can help shape more effective mental health and eating disorder interventions tailored to diverse populations.”
The research provides valuable insights into the cross-cultural factors influencing body image and suggests that family relationships, especially with mothers and sisters, play a pivotal role in how young women feel about their bodies.
As concerns over body image issues and disordered eating rise globally, this study emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in promoting body positivity and mental well-being across different communities.
“Our findings challenge commonly held assumptions that negative body image is universally experienced in the same way,” says Ms Deek from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
“Middle-Eastern women, in particular, showed stronger body appreciation, which may reflect cultural values and close family relationships that promote self-acceptance.
“This suggests that family and cultural values in the Middle East may help foster a more positive view of one’s body, which could serve as a potential protective factor for negative body-image and disordered eating behaviors.”
The study highlights the significant influence of family, particularly mothers, on both positive and negative body image outcomes.
