Cross-cultural differences in preferences for specific male and female body shapes

Abstract

This study investigated cross-cultural differences in the preferences for and beliefs about the cause of ordinary male and female body shapes in two European countries; one more liberal and the other more traditional with respect to gender-related issues. It has been suggested that individuals who adopt traditional sex roles have stronger preferences for ‘traditional’ body shapes (V-shaped for men, hour-glass for women) than do less traditional, more liberal individuals. It was found, according to the hypothesis, that Portuguese subjects displayed a stronger preference for traditional, ‘curvaceous’ female and V-shaped male body shapes than did Danish subjects. Danish subjects showed a stronger preference for the ‘angular’ shapes (with small hips) for both males and females. The body shape locus of control scale (BSB) showed that the Portuguese subject scored statistically significantly higher on External-significant others and External-fate beliefs than the Danish subjects. This indicated that the Portuguese are possibly more likely to have an irregular eating pattern, low self-esteem and a predisposition to depression. The international preference for thinner and more angular body shapes may indicate that there would be a higher increase in eating disorders in Portugal than in Denmark.