The Effects of Immigration and Media Influence on Body Image Among Pakistani Men

Body image as a global mental health concern

Body image concerns related to weight or other dimensions of appearance are now prevalent on a global scale. This paper reviews the theoretical frameworks that account for the global similarities and regional differences in rates and presentation of body image concerns, as well as reviewing the extant data. Given the harmful consequences of body image concerns in terms of mental and physical health, their global burden is high. Interventions to mitigate these concerns at the individual and systemic level are warranted.

Female and male body image ideals among Arab immigrants and Germans in Germany

The current study explores cross-cultural differences of male and female body image ideals within a rapidly developing intercultural, immigration context that has garnered a considerable degree of popular and scholarly interest; recent Arab immigration to Germany. One hundred eighty participants (Arab immigrants or ethnic Germans) completed self-report online questionnaires (in either Arabic or German) regarding male and female body image ideals, as well as an assessment of their own body image perception. The data suggest cross-cultural differences in the body image ideals of, and held by, men and women of both groups. Slimmer ideals were held by Germans, especially German women, something that has repercussions for self-perceptions of being over- or under-weight by both Arabs and Germans. Culturally-bound body image ideals are important for the study of demographic changes in such socio-biological patterns as weight, weight-related health issues, and intergroup attraction and reproduction. The current study highlights the importance of psychological research on body image ideals for better understanding trends observed in "objective" measures of physiology (e.g., weight, weight-related health conditions) or relationship patterns (e.g., marriages, reproduction).

Perceived Physical Attractiveness and Sexual Esteem Among Male and Female Adult

The current study was designed to investigate the relationship of perceived physical attractiveness and sexual esteem among Pakistani women and men. Role of gender and marital status on the study variables was also explored. The sample consisted of 320 adults (130 men and 190 women) with age range of 18 to 35 years. Sample was taken from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire – Appearance Scale MBSRQ-AS (Cash, 2000) was used to measure perceived physical attractiveness. Sexual esteem was measured by the subscale of Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (Snell, 1998). The findings indicated that Appearance Evaluation, Appearance Orientation, and Body Area Satisfaction were positively correlated to sexual esteem, whereas overweight preoccupation was negatively correlated with sexual esteem. Gender differences on the variables indicated that appearance evaluation was higher among men as compared to females. The moderation analysis showed that the significant negative relationship between overweight preoccupation and sexual esteem in men only, whereas sexual esteem of women was not unaffected through all levels of overweight preoccupation. The study findings provided a better insight into the role played by perceived physical attractiveness and need of sexual esteem among both genders. Findings were discussed in cultural context. Further, implications of the study were considered and discussed.

Ethnic differences in body image perception in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The present study compared the prevalence of obesity, fat distribution, body image perception and lifestyle among diabetic African and Albanian immigrants living in Italy, as well as diabetic Italians, aiming to identify health risks and their possible causes.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 200 diabetic subjects living in Italy. A questionnaire regarding socio-demographic and lifestyle information was administered to participants, and anthropometric measurements and body image perception were assessed. Proper perception of weight status and the degree of dissatisfaction in body image perception were valued.

RESULTS

Italians showed a higher health risk, both with regard to anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle, whereas African immigrants showed a lower one. All of the male groups underestimated their weight and Albanians were the most dissatisfied. Women perceived their current body image as heavier than their desired body image, showing a dissatisfaction toward their weight. Subjects of both sexes belonging to the overweight and obese categories generally underestimated themselves; this was particularly true in obese Africans. People with a higher body mass index were more likely to be dissatisfied than those with a lower one. Body image dissatisfaction increased when people estimated themselves as being overweight. Among lifestyle habits, being an ex-smoker increased body image dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The underestimation of weight detected in the present study requires attention. Nevertheless, the high percentage of overweight/obese people, coupled with the higher frequency of people dissatisfied with their high weight, suggests an awareness of the problem that could be more effective for weight loss.