R Chamorro1, Y Flores-Ortiz. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. rchamorr@caregroup.harvard.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This quantitative study examined the relationship between acculturation and disordered eating patterns among different generations of Mexican American women. METHOD: Participants included 139 Mexican American women (mean age = 29.1) drawn from local undergraduate courses and community agencies. The posttest-only design included a demographic measure, Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA), and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). RESULTS: Of the five generations studied, second-generation women endorsed the most disordered eating patterns and the highest degrees of concurrent acculturation. Moreover, there was a significant, positive correlation between acculturation and Factor III of the EAT which highlights control of eating and perceived pressure from others to gain weight. Participants scoring beyond the EAT cut-off score endorsed bulimic symptoms. DISCUSSION: Differing intergenerational ideals regarding weight may create special strains for second-generation Mexican American women. Criteria for disordered eating in a population previously not considered at risk should be further assessed and clinicians should be careful not to underdiagnose among this group. Copyright 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
OBJECTIVE: This quantitative study examined the relationship between acculturation and disordered eating patterns among different generations of Mexican American women. METHOD:Participants included 139 Mexican American women (mean age = 29.1) drawn from local undergraduate courses and community agencies. The posttest-only design included a demographic measure, Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA), and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). RESULTS: Of the five generations studied, second-generation women endorsed the most disordered eating patterns and the highest degrees of concurrent acculturation. Moreover, there was a significant, positive correlation between acculturation and Factor III of the EAT which highlights control of eating and perceived pressure from others to gain weight. Participants scoring beyond the EAT cut-off score endorsed bulimic symptoms. DISCUSSION: Differing intergenerational ideals regarding weight may create special strains for second-generation Mexican American women. Criteria for disordered eating in a population previously not considered at risk should be further assessed and clinicians should be careful not to underdiagnose among this group. Copyright 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Authors: Debra L Franko; Heather Thompson-Brenner; Douglas R Thompson; Christina L Boisseau; Angela Davis; Kelsie T Forbush; James P Roehrig; Susan W Bryson; Cynthia M Bulik; Scott J Crow; Michael J Devlin; Amy A Gorin; Carlos M Grilo; Jean L Kristeller; Robin M Masheb; James E Mitchell; Carol B Peterson; Debra L Safer; Ruth H Striegel; Denise E Wilfley; G Terence Wilson Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2011-12-26