Side Effects of Different Food in Different Countries
Bettendorf, S. K., &ump; Fischer, A. R. (2009). Cultural strengths as moderators of the
relationship between acculturation to the mainstream U.S. Society and eating and
body-related concerns among Mexican American women. Journal Of Counseling
Psychology, 56(3), 430-440. doi:10.1037/a0016382
Discusses how ethnic identity, familism, and enculturation serve as protection from issues of acculturation to mainstream U.S. society, specifically eating and body related concerns faced by Mexican American women. Results reveal that adherence to family values may serve as protection to the adverse effects of living in a society that promotes thinness as beauty. Findings highlight the importance of culture awareness in the prevention and treatment of disordered eating and suggest that it may be beneficial to work with the family, promoting interdependence and cohesion. In addition the authors point out that it may be empowering for the client to understand her eating and body concerns in the context of the her socio-political environment. An important component of the therapeutic process is to help these women develop a critical view that will translate into a sense of empowerment. Results are limited by the fact that questionnaires used were developed mainly with European American samples and administered online.
Halliwell, E., &ump; Harvey, M. (2006). Examination of a sociocultural model of disordered
eating among male and female adolescents. British Journal of Health Psychology,
11(1359107), 235-48.
The authors use an adaptation of Stice’s (1994) sociocultural model of disordered eating that includes social comparisons, self-reports of body mass index and perceived weight status and examine how these components affect this model. Data obtained from a sample of 250 girls and 275 boys, ages between 11-16, revealed that pressure to loose weight is linked to eating behavior, social comparison,...