Body size preferences among young women in five Arab countries: a cross-cultural study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to highlight body size preferences among university females in five Arab countries. The sample comprised 1134 females between 17 and 32 years old from universities in five Arab countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Syria. A silhouette figure scale was used to examine body size preferences. There were significant differences between countries regarding female body size preferences (p<0.001) and for preferred body size for men (p<0.001). In general, the university females preferred a thinner body size for themselves than that perceived for men. There was a drastic change in body size preferences for women from plumpness to thinness. Sociocultural factors may play a role in the differences in the body size preferences between countries.