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Abstract
Background: Recent findings suggest that there may be an increased risk of eating disorders among women from non-Western countries, however, few studies have examined this risk among Pacific Island women.
Aim: The present study examines eating disorder symptom levels, self dissatisfaction, anger discomfort, body dissatisfaction and body mass index (BMI) among Chamorro (Pacific Island) and Caucasian female college students. The study also accesses whether BMI, anger discomfort, self and body dissatisfaction levels correlate with eating disorder symptom levels.
Method: A self-report questionnaire that included subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and measures of anger discomfort, self dissatisfaction, and body dissatisfaction, was administered to 76 Caucasian and 59 Chamorro female college students.
Results: There were no cultural differences in eating disorder symptom, self dissatisfaction or body dissatisfaction scores. Chamorro females reported higher BMI and anger discomfort levels. Measures of self dissatisfaction and anger discomfort were associated with higher symptom levels of eating disorders.
Conclusion: The results support recent research findings of cultural similarities in symptoms of eating disorders. The findings also support the importance of assessing self dissatisfaction and anger discomfort in order to more fully understand the risk factors in the development of eating disorders among Pacific Island and Caucasian women.
Declaration of Interest: This study was funded through the University Health Care Associates, a nonprofit foundation.