Background
Methods
Results
Description of included studies
Reference (year) | Country of origin/ethnic sample | Eventual host country | Gender: number of subjects | Age (years) | BMI | Actual body image and self-perception | Ideal body image | Dissatisfaction and FID | Methods |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NORTH AFRICA | |||||||||
Nicolau et al. (2008) [22] | Morocco | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Male: 56 | 18–30 Mean: 21.6 ± 3.4 | BMI: 23.4 ± 2.8 Ow: 19.6 % Ob: 3.6 % | 4.1 ± 0.8 | Self: 4.2 ± 0.5 Own sex: 4.4 ± 0.7, Opposite sex: 4.2 ± 1.1 | Want to be thinner: 21.8 % | 7 silhouettes developed by Colllins [49] |
Female: 104 | 18–30 Mean: 23.4 ± 4.2 | BMI: 23.1 ± 4.1 Ow: 24.8 % Ob: 11.5 % | 4.6 ± 1.0 | Self: 3.9 ± 0.7 Own sex: 4.1 ± 0.6, Opposite sex: 4.2 ± 0.6 | Want to be thinner: 57.6 % | 7 silhouettes developed by Colllins [49] | |||
Morocco | Amsterdam, The Netherlands/ Second generation immigrants | Female: 22 | 20–59 Mean: 34.5 | Preferred silhouettes from 2 to 4. The most attractive is number 4. | A lot of women desire to lose weight | 7 silhouettes developed by Colllins [49] | |||
Nicolau et al. (2009) [23] | Morocco (Al Hoceima, Rif region) | Female: 31 | 16–48 Mean: 25.7 | Preferences are between silhouettes 2 to 4. The most attractive is number 4 | A lot of women desire to lose weight | 7 silhouettes developed by Colllins [49] | |||
Gualdi-Russo et al. In press [24] | North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) | Italy | Female: 105 | Mean: 36.3 ± 7.8 | BMI: 28.4 ± 4.8 | 5.9 ± 2.1 | 3.9 ± 1.6 | FID: +1.99 ± 2.31 | 9 silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50] |
Gualdi-Russo et al. In press [24] | Morocco (Casablanca) | Female: 124 | Mean: 39.5 ± 13.1 | BMI: 26.4 ± 5.2 | 5.9 ± 2.0 | 4.4 ± 1.4 | FID: +1.50 ± 1.83 | 9 silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50] | |
Gualdi-Russo et al. In press [24] | Tunisia (Tunis) | Female: 104 | Mean: 28.7 ± 11.5 | BMI: 25.5 ± 5.5 | 5.2 ± 2.4 | 3.8 ± 1.6 | FID: +1.40 ± 2.41 | 9 silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50] | |
Lahmam et al. (2008) [30] | Morocco (High Atlas)/ Amazigh people | Male: 165 | ≥20 | BMI: 22.9 ± 3.2 Uw: 6.7 % Nw: 69.01 % Ow: 21.8 % Ob: 2.4 % | False perception: 48.5 %, uw: 46.7 %, ow: 1.8 % Right perception: 51.5 % | Gain weight: 40.0 % Sat: 59.4 % Lose weight: 0.6 % | Self-administered questionnaire | ||
Female: 271 | ≥20 | BMI: 25.0 ± 4.2 Uw: 3.7 % Nw: 50.2 % Ow: 32.8 % Ob: 13.3 % | False perception: 75.2 %, uw: 74.5 % ow: 0.8 %. Right perception: 24.7 % | Gain weight: 53.1 % Sat: 45.8 % Lose weight: 1.1 % | Self-administered questionnaire | ||||
Morocco (Laayoun)/Sahraoui women | Female: 249 | ≥15 | BMI: 26.1 ± 5.6 Uw: 2.7 % Nw: 47.1 % Ow: 28.3 % Ob: 21.9 % Ow-Ob: 50.2 % | Ideal body size: 4.88 ± 0.86 Healthy body size: 4.33 ± 0.82 | Gain weight: 16.9 % Sat: 79.9 % Lose weight: 3.2 % | 9 silhouettes developed by Leandris et al. [51] and self-administered questionnaire | |||
Jafri et al. (2013) [29] | Morocco (Casablanca) | Female: 425 | ≥18 | BMI: 29.9 Ow: 36.2 % Ob: 47.4 % | Right perception: 47 %. Ow-ob underestimate: 36.1 % | Gain weight: 16.7 % | Self-administered questionnaire | ||
Egypt (Assiut) | Male: 1504 | Mean: 19.3 ± 1.6 | Uw: 7 % Nw: 68 % Ow: 19 % Ob: 6 % | Self-perception: Uw: 17 % Nw: 60 % Ow: 23 % | Sat: 64 % dis: 46 %; no BIC: 74.4 %, mild BIC: 17.3 %, moderate/marked BIC: 8.3 % | ||||
Female: 1663 | Mean: 18.6 ± 1.2 | Uw: 6 % Nw: 62 % Ow: 25 % Ob: 7 % | Self-perception: Uw: 11 % Nw: 56 % Ow: 14 % | Sat: 45 %, dis: 55 %; no BIC: 60 %, mild BIC: 24.2 % moderate/marked BIC: 15.8 % | |||||
Tlili et al. (2008) [17] | Tunisia (Tunis) | Female: 203 | 18–52 | BMI: 26.1 ± 5.6; Uw: 2.7 % Nw: 47.1 % Ow: 28.3 % Ob: 21.9 % Ow-Ob: 50.2 % | Dis: 62.1 % Lose weight: 47.3 % Gain weight: 14.8 % Ow-ob want to lose weight: 77.9 % | 6 photographic silhouettes developed by Bush et al. [44] | |||
Jaeger et al. (2002) [33] | Tunisia (Tunis) | Male and Female: 52 | 19–23 Mean: 21.4 ± 1.1 | BMI: 22 ± 3 | 3.6 | 2.8 | FID: +0.8 | 10 silhouettes (self-administered questionnaire) | |
CENTRAL AFRICA | |||||||||
Benkeser et al. (2012) [39] | Ghana (Accra Metropolitan Area) | Female: 2814 | Mean: 46.28 ± 18.21 | BMI: 28.34 ± 6.69 | 5.05 ± 1.45 | 4.84 ± 1.45 | 8 silhouettes developed by Stunkard et al. [53] | ||
Frederick (2008) [4] | Ghana (HO, rural) | Male: 22 | Mean: 24.5 ± 8.0 | Female ideal body: 4.4 ± 1.4 | Contour Drawing Rating Scale (Modified Version; 9 women's silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50]) | ||||
Female: 26 | Mean: 30.6 ± 12.23 | 5.1 ± 2.2 | 4.6 ± 1.4 | FID: +0.5 ± 1.7 | Contour Drawing Rating Scale (Modified Version; 9 women's silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50]) | ||||
Siervo et al. (2006) [40] | Gambia (Bakau-Kanifing Municipal Area) | Female: 50 | Mean: 18.6 ± 3.4 | BMI: 20.6 ± 4.1 | 4.4 ± 2.3 | 4.7 ± 1.4 | FID: −0.38 ± 2.5 | ||
Female: 50 | Mean: 42.5 ± 5.2 | BMI: 30.3 ± 5.2 | 7.8 ± 3.0 | 5.0 ± 2.6 | FID: +2.8 ± 3.0 | ||||
Male: 50 | Mean: 19.3 ± 2.6 | BMI: 19.0 ± 2.2 | 3.7 ± 1.5 | 4.9 ± 1.6 | FID: −1.2 ± 1.9 | ||||
Male: 50 | Mean: 42.0 ± 5.3 | BMI: 22.3 ± 3.9 | 5.4 ± 2.6 | 5.5 ± 2.1 | FID: −0.08 ± 1.8 | ||||
Holdsworth et al. (2004) [41] | Senegal (Dakar) | Female: 301 | 20–50 | BMI: 25.4 ± 5.6 | 2.90 | 2.40 | 6 photographic silhouettes developed by Bush et al. [44] | ||
Okoro et al. (2014) [42] | Nigeria (Yoruba) | Male: 220 | Mean: 42.6 ± 17.2 | BMI: 21.7 ± 3.7 | 4.30 ± 0.99 | 4.72 ± 1.06 | 9 silhouettes developed by Becker et al. [55] | ||
Female: 304 | Mean: 44.9 ± 16.7 | BMI: 24.6 ± 5.5 | 4.33 ± 1.17 | 4.41 ± 1.22 | 9 silhouettes developed by Becker et al. [55] | ||||
Jaeger et al. (2002) [33] | Gabon (Libreville) | Male and Female: 100 | 19–23 Mean: 19.5 ± 1.3 | BMI: 20.8 ± 2.8 | 4.4 | 4.2 | FID: +0.2 | 10 silhouettes (self-administered questionnaire) | |
Jaeger et al. (2002) [33] | Ghana (Techiman) | Male and Female: 58 | 19–23 Mean: 19.3 ± 1.3 | BMI: 22.4 ± 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 | FID: −0.3 | 10 silhouettes (self-administered questionnaire) | |
Ettarh et al. (2013) [43] | Kenya (Korogocho and Viwandani slums of Nairobi) | Male: 2669 | ≥18 Mean: 42 | Uw: 9.8 % Nw: 72.9 % Ow: 15.0 % Ob: 2.3 % | Self-perception: Uw: 13.2 % Nw: 52.7 % Ow: 20.8 % Ob: 13.4 % | Ideal body size: Uw: 6.1 %, Nw: 41.3 % Ow: 32.0 % Ob: 20.6 % | 18 silhouettes developed by Williamson et al. (1989) [54] | ||
Female: 2265 | ≥18 Mean: 42 | Uw: 5.1 % Nw: 51.5 % Ow: 27.9 % Ob: 15.5 % | Self-perception: Uw: 14.2 % Nw: 50.5 % Ow: 22.2 % Ob: 13.2 % | Ideal body size: Uw: 7.1 % Nw: 53.4 % Ow: 24.8 % Ob: 14.8 % | 18 silhouettes developed by Williamson et al. (1989) [54] | ||||
SOUTHERN AFRICA | |||||||||
Swami et al. (2012) [25] | Zimbabwe | UK (London) | Female: 138 | 18–49 Mean: 26.6 ± 6.7 | BMI: 24.9 ± 4.62 | 5.89 ± 1.95 | Self: 4.39 ± 1.35 Typical female: 4.31 ± 1.47 Most attractive: 3.66 ± 1.19 | BAS: + 1.64 ± 0.95; FID: 1.50 ± 1.06 | Photographic Figure Rating Scale (10 photographic silhouettes; Swami et al. [56]; BAS: Body Appreciation Scale [57]; BMI (self-reported) |
Swami et al. (2012) [25] | Zimbabwe (Harare) | Female: 140 | 18–46 Mean: 25.3 ± 6.87 | BMI: 24.81 ± 4.61 | 4.54 ± 1.91 | Self: 4.99 ± 1.10 Typical female: 4.71 ± 1.16 Most attractive: 5.17 ± 1.07 | BAS: 1.19 ± 0.93; FID: −0.45 ± 0.31 | Photographic Figure Rating Scale (10 photographic silhouettes; Swami et al. [56]; BAS: Body Appreciation Scale [57]; BMI (self-reported) | |
Tovée et al. (2006) [26] | South Africa (Mshwati Mpolveni)/Zulus | UK | Male: 25; Female: 27 | Mean: 26.6 ± 6.87 | Female ideal BMI: 23.99 | 50 high-resolution photographic images (self-administered questionnaire) | |||
Tovée et al. (2006) [26] | Britons of African descent | UK/Second generation immigrants | Male: 34; Female: 32 | Mean: 24.4 ± 4.53 | Female ideal BMI: 20.68 | 50 high-resolution photographic images (self-administered questionnaire) | |||
Tovée et al. (2006) [26] | South Africa (Mshwati Mpolveni)/Zulus | Male: 19; Female: 16 | Mean: 25.6 ± 4.47 | Female ideal BMI: 26.52 | 50 high-resolution photographic images (self-administered questionnaire) | ||||
McHiza et al. (2011) [34] | South Africa (Cape Town, urban area) | Female: 44 | Mean: 38.5 ± 9.0 | BMI: 32.1 ± 7.1 | 5.5 ± 1.9 | 4.4 ± 1.2 | FID: 1.1 ± +2.0 | 8 silhouettes developed by Stunkard et al. [53] | |
Swami et al. (2010) [2] | South Africa (Cape Town, urban area) | Male: 52; Female: 48 | Mean: 38.4 ± 11.1 | BMI: 23.3 ± 3.8 | Female Actual: 4.5 | Female Ideal: 3.2 | 9 silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50]; BMI (self-reported) | ||
Swami et al. (2010) [2] | South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, rural area) | Male: 45; Female: 60 | Mean: 38.4 ± 11.1 | BMI: 40.1 ± 10.4 | Female Actual: 6.0 | Female Ideal: 5.6 | 9 silhouettes developed by Thompson and Grey [50]; BMI (self-reported) | ||
Jaeger et al. (2002) [33] | South Africa (Cape Town)/black origin | Male and Female: 21 | 19–23 Mean: 19.3 ± 0.9 | BMI: 23.9 ± 4.3 | 4.3 | 2.6 | FID: +1.7 | 10 silhouettes (self-administered questionnaire) | |
Peltezer et al. (2012) [35] | South Africa | Male: 100 | ≥18 | BMI: 21.1 | BASS: 3.95 ± 0.70 | The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire [58]; BASS: Body-Areas Satisfaction Scale. | |||
Female:189 | ≥18 | BMI: 23 | BASS: 3.91 ± 0.73 | The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire [58]; BASS: Body-Areas Satisfaction Scale. | |||||
Puoane et al. (2005) [36] | South Africa (Khayelitsha, Cape Town)/black origin | Female: 44 | 28–60 Mean: 43.2 ± 7.2 | BMI: 40.0 ± 8.1 Uw: 0 % Nw: 4.7 % Ow: 4.7 % Ob: 90.7 % | Self-perception: Uw: 7 % Nw: 48 % Ow/Ob: 45 % | Preferred BMI: 27 | 8 silhouettes developed by Stunkard et al. [53] | ||
Faber et al. (2005) [37] | South Africa (KwaZulu Natal, rural area)/black origin | Female: 187 | 25–55 | Uw: 0 % Nw: 28.9 % Ow: 41.2 % Ob: 29.9 % | Sat: 37 % Dis: 11 % Lose weight: 8 % Ow-ob want to lose weight: 25 %% | Self-administered questionnaire | |||
Senekal et al. (2001) [38] | South Africa (rural and urban area)/black origin | Female: 180 | Mean: 20 ± 4.4 | BMI: 22.6 ± 3.8 Uw: 25.7 % Nw: 52.5 % Ow: 16.8 % Ob: 5.0 % | Self-perception: Uw: 6.1 % Nw: 67.0 % Ow: 26.3 % Ob: 0.6 % | Body Shape Questionnaire by Cooper et al. [52] |
Studies on North Africans
Studies on Central Africans
Studies on Southern Africans
Summary and general geographical pattern
Body image and weight perception: general tendency and differences among samples living in the same area or country | North Africa |
Central Africa | |
• General preference for normal- slightly overweight body size and a rather low level of dissatisfaction with their body in rural and urban populations [4, 33, 39‐43]; • Gambia: preference for overweight among oldest people and for slightly slimmer body among younger. Older Gambians were the most dissatisfied [40]. • Senegal: preference for a little slimmer figures than actual ones [41]. | |
Southern Africa | |
Body image and weight perception: differences between women and men according to area and country | North Africa |
• Morocco: weight underestimation in both Amazigh men and women (High Moroccan Atlas) and wish to gain weight [30]; | |
Central Africa | |
• Gambia: less dissatisfaction and preference for bigger body shape in men than in women [40]; • Nigeria: similar preferences in body shape among men and women, but higher dissatisfaction in men [42]; • Kenya: overestimation of body size in normal weight men and underestimation in women living in slums in Nairobi. Unlike men, women had low levels of dissatisfaction with a preference for normal body size [43]. | |
Southern Africa | |
• South Africa: similar level of satisfaction in males and females [35]. | |
Interaction between weight status and body image perception according to area and country | North Africa |
Central Africa | |
• Nigeria and Gabon: low levels of FID and a normal BMI. Residents had good perception of their body and a preference for normal body size [33, 42] • Kenya: residents of Nairobi slums were, on average, in normal weight with a differently-oriented misperception in men and women [43]. | |
Southern Africa | |
• South Africa: low level of body dissatisfaction in normal weight men and overestimation of body weight in women [35]. | |
Comparison in body image and weight perception of African immigrants in Europe with residents in the original country | North Africa |
• Moroccan female immigrants in the Netherlands: preference for thin and normal body size such as among the female residents in Morocco urban area. Many of them wished to lose weight [18, 22, 23]. • NA immigrant women in Italy: preference for thin silhouettes, as among Tunisian residents. The ideal silhouette was slightly heavier in Moroccan residents than in Tunisians and immigrants. Body image dissatisfaction was slightly higher in NA immigrants than in NA residents [24]. | |
Central Africa | |
• No studies on CA immigrants in Europe are available. | |
Southern Africa | |
• Zimbabwean immigrants in the UK: they were highly dissatisfied and with a more negative body image perception than residents in Zimbabwe, with a preference for a thinner body size while women living in Zimbabwe preferred a heavier body [25] |