Acculturation and Eating Disturbance Among Asian American College Students: The Role of Self-Objectification

Eating disturbance is highly prevalent among college students and is associated with a wide range of detrimental outcomes. Previously, eating disturbance was often portrayed as a “White upper-middle-class condition.” However, recent research has identified race/ethnicity and acculturation status as two risk factors of eating disturbance. Asian Americans, in particular, are at an elevated risk for eating disturbance. The present study contributes to the limited existing research on acculturation and eating disturbance among Asian American college students. The final sample consisted of 245 Asian American college students. Rating scales included measures of acculturation status, internalization of body ideals, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disturbance. Gender differences were examined. Correlational and path analyses were conducted to test hypotheses and the hypothesized model. Results show that female participants had higher maintenance of Asian cultures of origin, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disturbance. In contrast, male participants had higher internalization and BMI. Additionally, path analysis results suggest a positive association between the maintenance of Asian cultures and eating disturbance, but no association between the adoption of American culture and eating disturbance. There was also a significant interaction effect between American and Asian cultures, with biculturalism being a risk factor for eating disturbance. Findings have implications for prevention and intervention of body image and eating disturbance among Asian American college students