2024 | Marzieh Abdoli, Marco Scotto Rosato, Avinash Desousa, Paolo Cotrufo
This paper examines the impact of culture on body image, a multifaceted concept encompassing perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about one's physical appearance. A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 54 articles selected from 2064 studies published between 1990 and 2023. The findings highlight the significant influence of cultural norms and societal expectations on body image, particularly in Western cultures where thinness is highly valued. In contrast, non-Western cultures have different ideals, often emphasizing broader body types. Regional variations within cultures and societies also play a role, with young individuals, especially females, being particularly vulnerable to body image issues. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address body image concerns, which are linked to mental health issues such as body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences to improve mental health outcomes and suggests that culturally adapted interventions are more effective in enhancing body positivity and mental well-being.This paper examines the impact of culture on body image, a multifaceted concept encompassing perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about one's physical appearance. A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 54 articles selected from 2064 studies published between 1990 and 2023. The findings highlight the significant influence of cultural norms and societal expectations on body image, particularly in Western cultures where thinness is highly valued. In contrast, non-Western cultures have different ideals, often emphasizing broader body types. Regional variations within cultures and societies also play a role, with young individuals, especially females, being particularly vulnerable to body image issues. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address body image concerns, which are linked to mental health issues such as body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences to improve mental health outcomes and suggests that culturally adapted interventions are more effective in enhancing body positivity and mental well-being.