Comparisons of body image dimensions by race/ethnicity and gender in a university population

TLDR

Racial/ethnic and gender differences in body image highlight the need to examine culturally relevant dimensions. The study examined affective and cognitive body image components among 120 university students across African American, European American, and Latino/a American groups. Participants completed self‑report questionnaires (MBSRQ, BES, BIDR) and demographic data, and analyses examined race/ethnicity and gender effects while controlling for age, body size, social desirability, and socioeconomic status. African Americans had the highest body satisfaction and lowest weight overestimation, Latino/a Americans matched or exceeded European Americans on all indices, gender differences appeared in global body image, weight concerns, fitness, and health, and no interaction between gender and race/ethnicity was found. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Int J Eat Disord 27:310–316.

Abstract

Objective We examined affective and cognitive components of body image related to physical appearance, weight, and health among 120 university men and women of three racial/ethnic groups: African American, European American, and Latino/a American. Method Participants completed a Background Information Sheet, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES) with additional items, and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR). We tested for effects of race/ethnicity and gender on the body image measures while controlling for age, body size, social desirability, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results African Americans reported greatest body satisfaction and least overestimation of weight. Latino/a Americans were equal to or higher than European Americans on all indices. Gender differences occurred on global body image, weight concerns, fitness, and health. There were no Gender × Race/Ethnicity interactions. Discussion This pattern of racial/ethnic and gender differences shows a need for exploring a wider range of culturally relevant body image dimensions. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 27: 310–316, 2000.