Researchers ask: Does our culture influence our body image?

A group of student researchers from the University of Western Sydney are investigating the relationships between cultural identity, eating behaviours and body image.

Dr Jo Milne-Home, from the School of Psychology at UWS, says a person's perception of their ideal body size can be traced back to their culture and the society they live in.

"International research has shown that body image and body aesthetics vary in different cultures," says Dr Milne-Home.

"This study will look at how a person's cultural background, as well as their experience of living in Australian society, has influenced their eating behaviours and the body shapes they idealise."

The 'Perfect Fit' study will ask participants to participate in an online questionnaire survey about their attitudes to diet, exercise and body image, as well as their cultural affiliation or identity.

If you are female, aged 18 years and older and interested in taking part in the UWS study, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/JQRHMKQ

The UWS research is being conducted as part of an Empirical Research Project by Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology students Andreina Love, Karina Woodward, Elias Zoghbi and Mary Nguyen.

Provided by University of Western Sydney