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Acculturation to Western Culture in the Context of Eating Disorders

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Encyclopedia of Feeding and Eating Disorders

Definition

Studies focused on comparative analysis of eating and weight patterns between Western and non-Western cultures, and studies on minority and immigrant populations in Western countries have produced considerable evidence suggesting that acculturating to a Western culture increases the risk of eating disorders (ED). Imposition of Western values and thin beauty ideals has also been proposed to be one of the key factors contributing to the increased risk of ED, as studies have consistently shown the impact of Western/Westernized media on changing body image ideals and identified corresponding alterations in eating habits and weight and shape standards of local populations. These studies, however, have also fallen short in (a) developing operational definitions of “Western,” “Westernization,” and acculturation; (b) unduly assuming that the thin beauty ideals are attributed to only “Western” culture; and (c) differentiating “Westernization” from phenomena such as industrialization...

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References and Further Reading

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dimitri Uznadze Institute of Psychology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Ia Shekriladze

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London and Ilia State University, Georgia, PO59, 103 Denmark Hill, SE5 8AF, London, UK

    Kate Tchanturia

Authors
  1. Ia Shekriladze
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  2. Kate Tchanturia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ia Shekriladze .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Tracey Wade

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© 2016 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Shekriladze, I., Tchanturia, K. (2016). Acculturation to Western Culture in the Context of Eating Disorders. In: Wade, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Feeding and Eating Disorders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-087-2_204-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-087-2_204-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-287-087-2

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