A Cross-cultural study of Body Image Perceptions between Korean and British University Students

Abstract

This study explores the comparison of body image, body satisfaction, and clothing behaviors between Korean and British young women. Body image was measured by two methods: visual and verbal. For the data analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 16.0 for Windows was used to provide descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, and paired sample t- tests were applied in this study. Our results show that Korean and British female college students perceived ideal-body images that were smaller than their self‐defined body images. The ideal and self-images were significantly different in both groups. Both groups were dissatisfied with their own body size. The study was limited to a small sample size. Future studies using more participants from a more diverse age group and ethnic groups are recommended. The study will help marketers and retailers develop new products and new markets aimed at Korean and British women related to body image and body satisfaction.