Body image among men and women in a biracial cohort: The CARDIA study

Objective: To examine body image in a population-based, biracial cohort. Me thod: Body image measures were obtained on 1,837 men (45% Black) and 1,895 women (51% Black) in the CARDIA study. Subscales of the Multidimensional Bo dy Self-Relations Questionnaire (Appearance Evaluation and Appearance Orien tation) and a measure of body size dissatisfaction were obtained. Results: Blacks were more invested in appearance than Whites and women were more inv ested than men. Women were more dissatisfied with size and overall appearan ce than men, and White men were more dissatisfied with appearance than Blac k men. Black and White women were similarly dissatisfied with size and appe arance. However, after adjustment for age, body mass index, and education, Black women were more satisfied with both dimensions than White women. Obes ity was strongly associated with body dissatisfaction across all gender-eth nicity groups. Discussion: Significant differences in body image were appar ent by gender and ethnicity, and different patterns were evident depending on the dimension considered. (C) 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.