Eating and body image disturbances across cultures: A review

Objective: To critically review the literature examining the impact of acculturation, socio-economic status, family functioning and psychological control in relation to eating and body image disturbances across cultures. Method: A review of the literature on eating disorders, eating and body image disturbances, psychological control, body composition, socio-economic status and family functioning on different cultural groups. Results: Of the empirical studies undertaken, few investigated a cultural group's eating pathology in both its country of origin and a Western country using the same methodology. To date, the research findings are mixed and it is still unclear if the presentation of an eating disorder differs across cultures. Acculturation has not been consistently taken into consideration and psychological control has not been examined in relation to eating disturbances in non-Western groups. Discussion: This review focuses on some of the methodological limitations of previous research and attempts to delineate the salient issues which warrant further scientific enquiry. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.