Asian American Women Pressured to be Thin

A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals significant differences in body image ideals among women from various cultural backgrounds. The research indicates that both Chinese and white Western women tend to idealize thin bodies more than Black Nigerian women. The study highlights the influence of social media on white Western women, while Chinese women report familial pressure regarding their appearance. This cultural context shapes their perceptions of body image and self-worth. Scarlett Hao, a Chinese plus-size fashion influencer, shared her personal experiences with body image pressures stemming from family, peers, and societal expectations. She noted that these pressures led her to engage in intense dieting during her youth. The study suggests that while Chinese women internalize the thin ideal throughout their lives, white Western women’s adherence to this ideal tends to decrease with age. This phenomenon is linked to the belief that achieving the thin ideal can yield socioeconomic advantages, a concept referred to as “body as currency.” Interestingly, despite experiencing the highest levels of pressure, Chinese women reported greater body appreciation compared to their white Western counterparts. In contrast, Nigerian women exhibited the highest levels of body appreciation and idealized larger body sizes, reflecting cultural differences in beauty standards. However, Nigerian American women may face new pressures from Western media that glorifies thinness, potentially altering their perceptions of body image. Overall, the study underscores the complex interplay of cultural influences on body image, revealing how societal standards and media exposure can shape women's self-perception across different backgrounds.