“Do Real Women Have Curves?” Paradoxical Body Images among Latinas in New York City

Abstract

This paper examines Latinas' assessments of their individual body shape and weight vis-à-vis their beliefs and attitudes regarding mainstream and alternative body images. A mixed method data collection system was used based on individual instruments and focus group guidelines. While individual measures revealed participants' preference for thinner body types than what they actually considered themselves to be, group data underscore contradictory body paradigms, defined as Latinas' Paradoxical Body Images (LAPABI). Findings suggest the prevalence of a mainstream stereotype represented by the fit/thin White woman as the ultimate body ideal, along with the Latina curvy shape as its counter-image. The paper further discusses the importance of the media, and of divergent cultural values, in supporting these co-existing body ideals, as well as the need for more studies addressing their combined effect on Latinas' obesity patterns and their weight-control efforts.

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“…Similar contestations were found when Viladrich et al (2009) studied Latino women residing in the New York City in the United States, noting that although participants acknowledged the pervasive influence of mainstream ideals that privilege slim and thin body weight types, they also challenged those paradigms by subscribing to heavier body types, as in the case of the present study.…”

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“…Similarly, Hispanic women experience pressure by their culture to obtain a curvy body (Viladrich, Yeh, Bruning, & Weiss, 2009). However, there are less marked differences between Hispanic women and European American women.…”

“…However, there are less marked differences between Hispanic women and European American women. For example, Hispanic women are also pressured to achieve a thin body by mainstream American media (Viladrich et al, 2009). This could explain why they prefer thinner body ideals that are comparable to those of European American women (Gordon, Castro, Sitnikov, & HolmDenoma, 2010) as well as similar levels of BD (Schooler & Lowry, 2011).…”

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“…Also, like most women, Hispanic/Latina women perceive cultural messages about feminine ideals and normative body image 43 . Traditionally, Hispanic/Latino cultures visualize the feminine ideal of a curvaceous body that includes prominent breasts.…”

“…This said, the traditional ideals of the Hispanic/Latina body are shifting in the contemporary culture, in particular observed in young immigrants living in the USA. Younger generations immersed in cross-cultural media are integrating Westernized body ideals, including "thinness" 43,47 ; as such, it is important to recognize that body image concerns may differ among Hispanic/Latina survivors depending on the extent to which they adopt traditional cultural views 44 .…”