A Cross-Cultural Examination of Weight-Related Teasing, Body Image, and Eating Disturbance in Swedish and Australian Samples

The aim of the study was to evaluate, cross-culturally, a model for the prediction of eating dis- turbance from factors such as body image disturbance, negative verbal feedback regarding appearance (teasing), and body mass index (BMI) in Swedish and Australian teenagers. The results revealed that BMI predicted teasing and body dissatisfaction, and body dissatisfaction predicted level of eating restraint. In all three samples, there was evidence of partial mediation by teasing of the connection between BMI and restraint. The results partially replicate previous work with U.S. samples. The findings are discussed regarding the need for further cross-cultural work and its relevance for identifying factors for early intervention and prevention programs.