The comparison of cyprus to six other european countries on body image satisfaction, appearance investment and weight and appearance-related anxiety

Abstract

Previous research has pointed out the importance of Cyprus in the body image literature as well as the importance of body-image cross-cultural investigations. The purpose of the current study was to compare appearance satisfaction, investment in appearance and weight and appearance-related anxiety between female university students from Cyprus and female university students from France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Spain and Poland. Participants were 199 females whose scores on the measures of interest were compared to archived published means from the other six countries. Results indicated that Greek-Cypriot female university students scored significantly higher than all countries assessed on investment in appearance and weight and appearance-related anxiety. Additionally, female participants from Cyprus scored in the middle of the appearance satisfaction scale scoring higher than Greece and France, lower than the Netherlands and Germany and having similar results to Spain and Poland. A discussion follows elaborating on the argument of why Cyprus is significant in the body image literature, and the interpretation of the results using the cognitive-behavioral perspective of body image satisfaction. Recommendations for mental health professionals and other professionals in the public health sector are also provided.

Risk and Protective Factors of Disordered Eating in Adolescents Based on Gender and Body Mass Index

“…Eating disorders have been found to vary across cultures [ 13 ]. The island-country of Cyprus has received significant attention in the body image and eating disorder literature, [ 14 ] for the following reasons: (a) the year-round warm weather and very mild winters mean that more revealing clothing is generally worn; (b) there is great emphasis on social and physical status, resulting from the economic rise of the unoccupied part of the country after the 1974 Turkish invasion; (c) there is a significant lack of prevention programs that address body image and eating disorder issues; and (d) Cyprus has been found to have the highest levels of weight-related anxiety and investment in appearance among other European nations, factors which are well-supported risk-factors in the development of eating disorders [ 15 ]. Therefore, research on the adolescent population concerning risk and protective factors for eating disorders is deemed necessary in order to inform targeted prevention programs, which can be implemented to protect against the development of eating disorders.…”

Correlation Between Gender Differences and Anthropometric Indicators with Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Adults in Ardabil City

“…These desires may be associated with excessive exercising and dieting (32). However, thin-idealization in women, and muscular/athletic-idealization in men, could play an important role in the development of eating disorders (33) and behavioral and emotional reactions (24). In the current study, the MBSRQ overweight preoccupation subscale can be used to evaluate such reactions.…”

“…It can be influenced by media, family, and social environment directly and indirectly (20). This situation may be lands, respectively (24). As compared to other countries, it seems that Iranians pay more attention to their appearance.…”

Translation and validation of the Greek version of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale in an adult population

“…44,45 Indeed, previous research has shown that weightrelated anxiety is higher in Greek-speaking populations as compared to other European countries. 46 Further research in this area is required to shed light on how weight attitudes vary between genders and from culture to culture. Regarding BMI, however, the results of the current study were in accordance with previous findings which found WBIS-M scores to be higher amongst individuals with a higher BMI.…”