Exposure to westernization and dieting: A cross-cultural study

Objectives: The study aimed to establish whether an index of exposure to we sternization would predict dieting behavior over and above the predictors o f body mass index (BMI) and social influences. The study also sought to com pare dieting behaviors among adolescents from three different cultural back grounds. Method: A total of 100 females from Beijing, China, 60 females of Chinese heritage living in Sydney, Australia, and 700 Female Australians of no Chinese background were assessed. The exposure to westernization index incorporated the country of birth, the predominant language spoken at home, the country of birth of one's parents, and the country of residence. Resul ts: Exposure to westernization was Found to be a significant predictor of d ieting status. The westernization index remained an important predictor whe n BMI and social influences to diet were taken into account. Interestingly, the Chinese Australian girls dieted the least, although the Chinese girls living in China perceived more influence From their peers to diet, despite their lower BMI. Conclusion: The exposure to westernization index provides a useful assessment of important influences on dieting in adolescent female s. (C) 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.