Exposure to westernization and dieting: A cross‐cultural study

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to establish whether an index of exposure to westernization would predict dieting behavior over and above the predictors of body mass index (BMI) and social influences. The study also sought to compare dieting behaviors among adolescents from three different cultural backgrounds. METHOD: A total of 100 females from Beijing, China, 60 females of Chinese heritage living in Sydney, Australia, and 100 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. RESULTS: Exposure to westernization was found to be a significant predictor of dieting status. The westernization index remained an important predictor when 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 females.