Egypt among 10 states with more positive body image: Study

CAIRO - 5 September 2023: The Largest study of its kind led by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has found that having more positive body image is strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction. 

The research involved 56,968 participants in 65 nations. A consortium of scientists asked participants in 65 nations to complete the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), which contains 10 items, including ‘I respect my body’ and ‘I appreciate the different and unique characteristics of my body’.  

The study showed that Egypt was among the 10 most body confident countries that also included:

Malta

Taiwan

Bangladesh

South Korea

Philippines

Iraq

Poland

South Africa

It also found that the 10 least body confident countries list include:

Austria

India

UK

Ireland

Ukraine

Germany

USA

China

France

Brazil 

Married vs Single

The researchers also found that body appreciation was higher in participants who were single (compared with being married or in a committed relationship) and those living in rural areas. 

Urban vs Rural

The study showed that people living in urban areas may feel stronger pressure to conform to body ideals promoted by Western society, and it is also notable that people from countries considered culturally different to the United States appeared to have broadly greater body appreciation. 

While on the others side, people in rural areas may benefit from being in nature, which past research has also shown to be linked with positive body image.