Eating behavior differences and the perception of gender roles in Czech and German nonclinical samples

This study compares non clinical subjects from the Czech Republic and Germany regarding their eating behavior and attributes they associate with female role models. We assessed Czech and German students and their mothers, 328 subjects in total, by having them complete 2 questionnaires related to weight, eating behavior, as well as different role models (a professionally successful woman, a good mother, etc.). The female Czech students had a lower ideal BMI than the German female students, and were more dissatisfied with their bodies. Thus, the higher drive for thinness in the Czech students could be an indicator for an increased risk regarding eating disorders. Regarding role models, the Czech results were very different from those of the Germans. The Czech women characterized female roles more with items like following own goals, competent in job, competing. The more professional female role description in the Czech Republic reflects the tradition of working women in former socialist states. But the relationship between eating behavior and gender roles remains unclear.