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Body Attitudes and Eating Behaviours of Female Malay Students Studying in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Andrew J. McDowell  and
Malcolm J. Bond
Andrew J. McDowell
Affiliation:
Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Malcolm J. Bond*
Affiliation:
Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
*
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, Australia 5001. Electronic mail may be sent via Internet to [email protected]
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Abstract

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The extent to which 113 adolescent Malay women studying in Australia expressed the desire to lose weight was examined, as was the degree to which this desire reflected a genuine need to lose weight. Comparisons between participants who expressed the desire to either lose weight, stay at their current weight, or gain weight were made using both attitudinal and behavioural components of body image. An in-depth analysis of those who wished to lose weight was also undertaken. There was evidence that negative body attitudes were in excess of what actual body weight might dictate. However, these negative attitudes were not found to be consistently predictive of dysfunctional eating behaviours. Results were interpreted with reference to the potential influence of Westernisation in countries in the South Pacific region, and in particular how attitudes and behaviours are influenced by this process.

Type
Articles
Information
South Pacific Journal of Psychology , Volume 14 , 2003 , pp. 16 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea and Massey University, New Zealand/Aotearoa 2003

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