Adherence to cultural values and the internalization of sociocultural appearance ideals are associated with exercise dependence symptoms in Asian/Asian American men. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guidinger, Claire; Zhou, Shijing; Rothhouse, Kylie; Kelly, Nichole R.
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 40(2020)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Asian/Asian American men -- Asian values -- Body image -- Exercise dependence symptoms -- Sociocultural appearance ideals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined sociocultural correlates of exercise dependence symptoms (EDSX) in young Asian/Asian American men. We hypothesized that greater adherence to Asian cultural values would be positively associated with EDSX and that the internalization of muscularity and thinness appearance ideals would exacerbate this link. Participants included 266 Asian/Asian American men (18–30y, M age = 24.4 ± 3.6y; M BMI = 24.2 ± 5 kg/m 2 ) enrolled in a larger study examining disordered eating and body image concerns in ethnically/racially diverse young men. Participants completed an online survey that assessed demographics, adherence to Asian values, internalization of muscularity and thinness appearance ideals, and EDSX. After adjusting for BMI, income, education, and presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, a linear regression model indicated that adherence to Asian values was significantly and positively associated with EDSX ( B = 12.13, p = .036). Neither internalization of muscularity ( p = .812) nor thinness ( p = .967) appearance ideals moderated this association. However, independently, both internalization of muscularity ( B = 10.93, p < .001) and thinness appearance ideals ( B = 7.92, p < .001) were positively associated with EDSX. The current study highlights the importance of considering cultural factors, such as adherence to traditional norms, in our investigations of EDSX in young Asian/Asian American men and the need to develop tailored interventions for young men's disordered eating symptoms. Our data also support the link between sociocultural ideals of attractiveness and young men's excessive exercise behaviors, contributing to a robust body of literature highlighting the problems with a cultural emphasis on specific body sizes and shapes. Highlights: Asian/Asian American men are understudied in the disordered eating literature. Adherence to Asian values was associated with exercise dependence symptoms (EDSX). Internalization of male appearance ideals did not exacerbate this link. Independent of Asian values, internalizing appearance ideals was linked to EDSX. Cultural ideals play an important role in men's excessive exercise behaviors.