Perception of body size in the Tongan community: differences from and similarities to an Australian sample

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity in Tonga is high and increasing. Attempts to address this major health issue would be assisted by a realistic concept of current and preferred body sizes. In this study, body size perception in Tongans was compared with that of Australians. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. SUBJECTS: 542 Tongans, 89 of whom were enrolled in a weight-loss programme (WLP); 481 Australians. Measurements: Subjects were weighed and measured. Two series of photographs (one female, one male), representing speci®c body mass indexes (BMIs) were used to assess body perception. RESULTS: The BMIs of the Tongans were higher than those of the Australians (Tongans: female 32.6 AE 0.35 (mean AE s.e.m); male, 30.4 AE 0.33; Australians: female, 25.6 AE 0.33; male 26.3 AE 0.26 kgam 2 ). Tongan women underestimated their body size; Tongan men and Australians overestimated. WLP and younger Tongan women preferred smaller body sizes for themselves and for men and women in general. There were gender differences in preferred healthy and attractive female sizes (men: 27 kgam 2 ; non-WLP women: 25 kgam 2 ; WLP women: 23 kgam 2 ) and male sizes (men: 29 ± 30 kgam 2 ; women: 26 ± 27 kgam 2) chosen by Tongans. Preferred, attractive and healthy body sizes chosen by Australian men and women were similar; about 24 kgam 2 for males and 21 ± 22 kgam 2 for females. CONCLUSION: Tongans preferred larger body sizes than did Australians, particularly the men, but WLP women's preferences were similar to those of Australians. There is evidence that preferences are changing in Tonga with time, and probably with increasing Western in¯uence.

Eating disorder symptoms among Pacific Island and Caucasian women: The impact of self dissatisfaction and anger discomfort

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Ethnic differences in BMI and body/self-dissatisfaction among Whites, Asian subgroups, Pacific Islanders, and African-Americans

“…Pacific Islanders today are becoming more obese but are valuing slimness more [31]. This suggests increasing dissonance and a greater risk for ED in the future [34].…”

Differences in body composition between Tongans and Australians: time to rethink the healthy weight ranges?

“…42 A healthy Tongan female was considered to have a mean BMI of 26 kg=m 2 (compared with an Australian size of 21 kg=m 2 ), while the mean preferred BMI of a healthy Tongan male was 28 kg=m 2 (with an Australian male BMI being 24 kg=m 2 ). When these preferred body sizes were compared with weight categories 'adjusted' to equivalent BMIs on the basis of %fat as presented in this paper, the Tongan body preferences for both females and males were reasonable and realistic.…”