Cultural efficacy predicts body satisfaction for Māori

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 23;16(6):e0253426. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253426. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI), self-esteem and self-reported confidence and capability in expressing oneself culturally as Māori (cultural efficacy) for 5,470 Māori who participated in Te Rangahau o Te Tuakiri Māori me Ngā Waiaro ā-Pūtea | The Māori Identity and Financial Attitudes Study (MIFAS) in 2017. Adjusting for demographics, self-reported health, education and socio-economic status, we found that a higher BMI was associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem. However, higher scores on cultural efficacy were associated with higher levels of body satisfaction and self-esteem for respondents. Furthermore, the negative association between BMI and both body satisfaction and self-esteem was weaker for those with higher cultural efficacy. This held for BMI scores of 25, 30, and 35+. While our data suggest higher cultural efficacy may directly or interactively shield Māori from developing lowered self-esteem typically associated with higher BMI in Western populations, further research, using more comprehensive measures of body satisfaction should explore the extent to which Māori may find the Western "thin ideal" personally desirable for their own bodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude
  • Body Image / psychology*
  • Culture*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander / psychology*
  • New Zealand / ethnology
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Self Concept*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Class
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research was supported by a Marsden Grant from the Royal Society of New Zealand awarded to the first author Carla Houkamau (CH) for “How great can we be? Identity leaders of the Māori economic renaissance” (15-UOA-316). Funders played no role in the study design, data collection and analysis or preparation of the manuscript. https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/funds-and-opportunities/marsden.