Internalization of Media Ideas, Disordered Eating and Body Image of Jamaican Women 30 Years and Older

Body dissatisfaction has been underexplored among women 30 years and older, with most of the research being conducted in the industrialized context. No known studies have been conducted on this age group in the Caribbean. The current study aims to examine eating behaviours, body dissatisfaction and media internalization among females 30 years and older. Two hundred and eighty-six (286) participants (M = 39, age range: 30 –66 years) completed an online survey, which included questions on socio-demographic, body image, internalization of media ideals and disordered eating behaviours. The results indicated that 74.1% Jamaican women in this age group received moderate to high scores on a measure of body satisfaction, and 69.9% received low scores on a measure of thin-ideal internalization. Thin-ideal internalization predicted disordered eating behaviours. Multiple dimensions of body image had significant relationships with disordered eating behaviours. Jamaican women with high media consumption are at a greater risk for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Considering that body dissatisfaction and disordered eating are typically associated with adolescents and young adults, healthcare providers may overlook their presence in adults 30 years and older, leading to missed opportunities for intervention. The finding of this study seeks to inform providers to also consider these factors when working with women in this age group.