While Western cultures often promote a rigid “thin ideal” and frame eating and health as matters of individual responsibility, a recent study highlights a different experience among women in Lebanon—one shaped first and foremost by family relationships.

According to a study led by Dr. Melanie Deek, assistant professor of psychology at the LAU School of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with researchers at Flinders University, Lebanese women report higher levels of body appreciation and mindful eating than their Western counterparts, a difference closely tied to the collectivistic family structures that remain central to Lebanese society.

Titled “The role of female family members in relation to body image and eating behaviour: A cross-national comparison between Western and Middle-Eastern cultures,” the study contrasts individualistic Western settings, where body image is often negotiated privately, with Eastern cultures that place greater emphasis on family bonds. In particular, close relationships among mothers, sisters, and daughters can buffer appearance-related pressures and promote a more supportive environment for body appreciation, even as Western beauty standards continue to exert influence.

The research focused on how perceived pressures and “fat talk” from female family members relate to both negative and positive body image, as well as eating behaviors, among women aged 18 to 25 in Australian and Lebanese populations.

The findings, published in Body Image, demonstrate that mothers and sisters are significant sources of appearance-related pressure across both cultural contexts. Such pressures were associated with less favorable outcomes in body image and eating behaviors, highlighting that family influence can be both supportive and challenging.

Importantly, the study also identified cultural differences: Middle Eastern participants demonstrated higher levels of body appreciation and were more likely to engage in the mindful eating behavior of eating without distraction, even while experiencing body image concerns similar to their Western peers. These findings show that body dissatisfaction and body appreciation can coexist, and that positive body image is more than just the absence of negative feelings.

Furthermore, Middle Eastern participants reported a greater ability to eat without distraction compared to their Western counterparts, reflecting higher levels of attentive eating. These findings can be understood within the broader role of food in many Middle Eastern contexts, where meals are typically shared within family settings and experienced as social occasions rather than solitary or strictly regulated activities.

These findings have practical implications, suggesting that interventions to promote positive body image and healthier eating behaviors may be more effective when they involve family members, particularly mothers and sisters, rather than focusing solely on the individual. The research also underscores the importance of adapting such efforts to the cultural context and recognizing that family influence operates differently across societies.

Dr. Deek acknowledges the study’s limitations, including its focus on two countries and the need for deeper insight into how family values are passed down across generations. She hopes future research will expand to other Middle Eastern contexts and include in-depth conversations that capture women’s lived experiences.