Topic 4 - Body Size Preferences

Question 1

Culture and Body Size Preference

• The body size preference of an individual or group may influence eating behaviour and food choice.
• In Canada emphasis is placed on valuing thinner body types, the stigmatization of _______, and dieting.
• Some cultures (such as _____ and South ______ cultures) may see obesity or fatness as an indication of wealth, success and fertility.

Answer 1

stigmatization of obesity

Africa and South Asia see fatness as indication of wealth, success and fertility.

In India, people who are skinny are seen as being poor and unhealthy while extra weight around the waist is seen as a sign of affluence and better health.

Question 2

The words we use to describe food (powerful emotions)

• Sinfully delicious
• Decadent Desserts
• To die for ………

Answer 2

• Better than sex …….
• Chocoholicsanonymous
• Junk food
• Health food

Question 3

Excess weight is a public health issue

In 2009 to 2011, __% of Canadian men and __% of Canadian women aged 18 to __ were overweight or obese based on results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

Answer 3

67% of Canadian men and 54% of Canadian women

18-79

Question 4

Weight Status Based on BMI

Body Mass Index = weight(kg)/height(m)2 • underweight (BMI less than 18.5)

Answer 4

• normal weight (BMIs 18.5 to 24.9)
• overweight (BMIs 25 to 29.9)
• obese (BMI 30 and over)

Question 5

Western Ideals of body size
• In Western countries, there has been a trend toward preferring _______ bodies for women.

• Media images of men have increased in ___________.
• These preferences are thought to contribute to poor ____ image and mental health issues.

Answer 5

thinner bodies for women.
men have muscularity.

Contribute to poor body image and mental health issues.

Question 6

Since the 1970’s, three times as many men in the United States have become dissatisfied with their overall appearance.

Body _________

Answer 6

body dysmorphia

Question 7

Why is thinness desired by so many Canadian women?

• Women are exposed to thousands of images of thin women. Does this “train” women to regard thinness as an ideal?

Answer 7

• Does the equation of thinness with benefits such as health, status and overall attractiveness encourage women to view being thin as better than being large?

“The ideal image of a woman is almost impossible for anybody to achieve,” said Peter J. Brown, an anthropologist at Emory University.

• Dr. Brown is among those social scientists who say that being thin really isn’t about health, anyway, but about social class and control.

Question 8

How much do American adults typically weigh?
• Men:
Height: 69.3 inches (176 cm) Weight: 195.5 pounds (88.7 kg)

• Women:
Height: 63.8 inches (162 cm) Weight: 166.2 pounds (75.4 kg)

Answer 8

How much do American adults typically weigh?

• Men:

BMI is 28.9

• Women:
kg) BMI is 28.5

Question 9

Voluptuousness was once valued in Western society

Answer 9

~1800’s

Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today she weighs 23% less.

Question 10

Underweight models BANNED in Israel in 2013 to fight anorexia

• Models must produce medical report for three months before a photoshoot
• A model’s Body Mass Index cannot fall below 18.5

Answer 10

• Advertisers will have to clearly indicate images that have been digitally altered

Question 11

Ethnic differences in body shape preference

White women in the USA are more _____________with their bodies than Black women; they also seek to be thinner. Black women if given the choice would rather be ____weight than _____weight (Bissell, 2002).

Answer 11

White women in the USA are more dissatisfied

Black women if given the choice would rather be overweight than underweight (Bissell, 2002).

Question 12

• Almost 1 in X Japanese women in their 20s is underweight.

The average birth of their babies is declining, and their risk of death in case of serious illness is rising.

Answer 12

• Almost 1 in 3
• Restricted calorie consumption in young Japanese women is slowing down their metabolisms, the average birth weight of their babies is declining, and their risk of death in case of serious illness is rising.

Question 13

Japanese government imposed waistline standards in 2007

• Japan is among the thinnest industrialized nations, thanks to a diet of ____, vegetables - and small portions.
• But social values also encourage thinness among women.
• Yet, companies and local governments are required to measure the waistlines of men and women between the ages of 40-74 as part of their annual health checkup.

Answer 13

fish and vegetables

Question 14

The fattening rooms of _______

• In Nigeria, the rich can pay for special “fattening rooms” to put on extra weight.

Answer 14

Calabar

Question 15

Heavy women are considered desirable in __________.

Answer 15

Mauritania

Question 16

Massa men of Northern __________

– In some African societies being fat is a symbol of status and power for men.

– The Massa of Cameroon prize overweight among males.

– Drink milk and eat large quantities of other foods for three months to produce large glistening bodies that are a mark of beauty.

Answer 16

Massa men of North Cameroon

Question 17

Does is sometimes make sense to be ‘fat’?

Answer 17

In nutritionally stressed environments, body fat is an indicator of wealth and prosperity, with obesity as a symbol of economic success, femininity, and sexual capacity.

Question 18

Weight Prevention Strategies must be Culturally Appropriate

• White public health workers put up two health education posters as part of an anti-obesity campaign for Zulu in South Africa.

Answer 18

• One poster depicted an obese Zulu woman and an overloaded truck with a flat tire, with a caption “Both carry too much weight.”
• Another poster showed a slender Zulu woman easily sweeping under a table next to an obese woman who is using the table for support; it has the caption, “Who do you prefer to look like?”