Western Cultural Identification Explains Variations in the Objectification Model for Eating Pathology Across Australian Caucasians and Asian Women

Shame and eating disorders symptoms: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Numerous empirical studies and theoretical models posit that shame is a common experience among individuals across the eating disorder spectrum. In this study we aim to investigate the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms using a meta-analytical approach.

METHOD

In this meta-analysis, we synthesized findings from 195 studies to examine the proposed association between shame and eating disorders symptoms. We looked at the associations with both general eating disorders symptoms and with specific eating disorders symptoms (i.e., anorexic, bulimic, and binge-eating symptoms). Moderation analyses testing for the effect of type of shame, type of eating symptoms, clinical status, quality of the study, age, and gender were conducted.

RESULTS

Shame was significantly associated with a medium to large effect size with all types of eating disorders symptoms (rs between .40 and .52). Body shame (r = .55) and shame around eating (r = .59) were more strongly related with eating disorders pathology. Type of eating disorders symptoms did not moderate the relationship between shame and disturbed eating.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the magnitude of the effect size of the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms is a medium to large one. Body shame and shame around eating seem to be the types of shame most closely tied with eating disorders symptoms, suggesting that directly targeting them in interventions might be highly beneficial. Findings highlight current gaps in the literature (e.g., mostly correlational studies, low quality studies) with implications for future research.

Bodyweight Misperception by Chinese American Females Influenced by Cultural and Social Ideals: Implication for Home Health Care

Bodyweight misperception results from the desire to achieve an ideal body emphasized by cultural mores and societal norms. It is sustained by the desire to be cultural compliant, especially for ethnic minority women such as Chinese American females. Through cultural beliefs, these women’s self-perceived weight status is distorted, which strengthens the impact of bodyweight misperception in their daily life as poor physical health, distressed psychosocial health, risky and unsafe health practices and behaviors, and diminished quality of life. Evidently, bodyweight misperception promotes maladaptive health behaviors. However, bodyweight misperception is barely captured in the current science about women’s health, and is minimally explored in research about Chinese American females’ desire and efforts to achieve the ideal body type. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review was to explore (1) body weight perception, (2) the factors associated with it, and (3) the negative health consequences triggered by it, in Chinese American females. Studies confirm that Chinese American females shape their body weight perception by internalized cultural ideals, acculturative stress, mass media, and social pressures. They overestimate their body weight more than underestimate it as evident by frequent weight-loss attempts. This internalized bodyweight misperception affects their physical and psychological health, with undesirable consequences on their quality of life. Home health care professionals interact closely with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds; remaining culturally sensitive is crucial in their practice. Knowledge from this literature review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate weight management strategies for the delivery of competent home health care to Chinese American females.