"Body Image" Journal Publishes Article on Latine Women's Experiences Co-Authored by CARE Researchers

A new article entitled "'There aren't a lot of things that are made for Latinos': A qualitative investigation of factors that contribute to Latine women's positive and negative body image" was published in the recent issue of Body Image, an international, peer-reviewed journal. The publication presents results from an investigation led by Sarah Johnson-Munguia, a graduate student in KU's Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors, looking at the lack of resources for Latine women struggling with body image.

The article is co-authored by Johnson-Munguia, Alesha E. Doan, Anjali Sharma, Marianna L. Thomeczek, Bailey Bowles, Maria Paul, and Kelsie T. Forbush.

Abstract

"Although there has been an increased focus on ethnic diversity in eating-disorder and body-image research, a gap exists in body image programs specifically designed for Latine women. To create programs that are culturally sensitive and relevant, it is important to first understand factors that contribute to Latine women’s conceptualizations of body image. Drawing upon open-ended semi-structured interviews with Latine women (N=19, M_age=20, SD_age=1.74), the objective of the current study was to explore Latine women’s perceptions of the factors contributing to positive and negative body image. Employing a constructivist grounded theoretical approach, verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed using an iterative, multi-phased inductive process. The results are organized around two themes: Latine women’s experiences with negative body image and their experiences with positive body image. Three subthemes were identified reflecting participants’ experiences with negative body image: appearance standards imposed on Latine women, complex relationship with food, and communication challenges. Five subthemes emerged from the interviews to capture Latine women’s experiences with positive body image: reframing body ideals, reframing relationships with food, community support, seeking out representation, and focus on body functionality. These findings may inform future body image program cultural adaptation efforts by integrating cultural aspects of negative and positive body image."
 

Conclusion

"This study provided a qualitative analysis of the experiences of negative and positive body image among a sample of Latine women, who, collectively, had high rates of ED psychopathology. The themes identified in the current study could inform cultural adaptations for FFBI [fuctionality-focused body image] programs aimed at Latine individuals. Results underscore the need to consider intersectional identities and the need for including culturally nuanced content. Given that body image programs historically have not been designed for and tested with Latine women, despite high rates of body dissatisfaction among this population, the results of the current study are important for developing more effective and engaging future programs for Latine women."