Date of Defense
4-24-2026
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Family and Consumer Sciences
First Advisor
Ping Ouyang
Second Advisor
Arezoo Rojhani
Abstract
This systematic literature review addresses the research question: How does culture affect eating disorders? It examines the role of ethnicity and culture in shaping the prevalence, symptom presentation, and treatment of eating disorders across diverse populations. Although eating disorders have traditionally been studied in Western, predominantly White populations, growing evidence suggests that cultural norms, ethnic identity, globalization, and exposure to Western ideals significantly influence both the development and expression of disordered eating behaviors. Twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. These studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO and selected based on relevance, methodological rigor, and explicit focus on cultural or ethnic factors. Findings were synthesized thematically to identify cross-cultural patterns. Results indicate that Westernization, acculturation, and media exposure are consistently associated with increased eating disorder risk. Cultural context strongly influences symptom expression, with non-Western and minority populations often showing distinct patterns of body dissatisfaction, binge eating, and restrictive behaviors compared with Western groups. Acculturative stress emerged as a key risk factor, particularly among immigrants navigating Western beauty ideals and social pressures. Disparities are also highlighted in recognition and treatment. Language barriers, cultural stigma, and clinician bias contribute to delayed diagnosis and reduced access to care among minority populations. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive assessment tools and tailored interventions. However, gaps remain in longitudinal research and in the representation of understudied cultural groups, underscoring the need for further investigation into cultural determinants of eating disorders to improve equity in prevention and treatment.
Recommended Citation
Atwell, Rebecca, "Ethnicity, Culture, and the Epidemiology of Eating Disorders" (2026). Honors Theses. 4012.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4012
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Presentation