M3 Written Assignment: Research Paper

Title Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name Date Fat in Four Cultures: A Global Ethnography of Weight “Fat in Four Cultures: A Global Ethnography of Weight’ is a book penned by Cindi Strutz Sreetharan, Alexandra Brewis, Jessica Hardin, Sarah Trainer, and Amber Wutich (2021) which explore the body weight, desire, cultural perceptions, practices, and experiences in four global contexts. In the book, the way different cultures around the world interpret and navigate such concepts as fatness, thinness, beauty, and health is investigated. The authors conduct ethnographic research in four distinct cultural settings: the US, Japan, and Samoa whose inhabitants come entirely or in part from three different parts of the world. Utilizing intensive encounter with field work and interviews, the authors investigate the impact of the social norms, cultural values, economic factors, and globalization on the individuals’ view on obesity and body image in those contexts. It draws a clear picture of the nuances of body weight perceptions and practices, revealing how these are formed by a complex mix of factors such as history, socio-economic divisions, media portrayals, and changing beauty standards. The authors stressed that the aspects of cultural differences and understanding in attitudes on weight and body image must also be taken into account, the challenge of western-centric perspectives, the shedding of light on diverse ways societies construct and navigate the notions of beauty, health, and desire. Therefore, “Fat in Four Cultures” is a rich and multidimensional investigation of how weight and body image is seen, felt, and challenged with a view to advance knowledge in the delicate process of interweaving culture, identity, and bodily practices. Beauty Standards within Different Cultures The paradigm of the peculiar beauty standards adhering in distinct cultures implies the volatile nature of social attitudes toward beauty as well as its relevance to body weight perception. Throughout the history, the concepts of beauty were changing that were affected by many factors such as culture, fashion and the expanding media imagery throughout the world. The exploration of trendy beauty standards within different cultures supplements the fact that beauty frameworks are subject to change. This shift in beauty culture then translates to body weight perceptions (Chisuwa-Hayami & Haruki, 2017; SturtzSreetharan et al., 2021; SturtzSreetharan et al., 2022; Yamashiro et al., 2023). The aspect that cannot be denied in relation to cultural trends is the fact that these trends influence the standards of beauty in society. These patterns can be as a result of culture values, traditions, and background affect them. For instance, in some cultures, round shapes and more weighty figures are worshipped to signify fertility and well-being, whereas in others, lean and toned figures stand for discipline and self-control. These cultural trends alongside the fact that the societies have a strong influence on the body weight ideals that in turn affect the ways individuals see their figures contribute to the shaping of an individual’s beliefs about their weight and body image (Chisuwa-Hayami & Haruki, 2017; SturtzSreetharan et al., 2021; SturtzSreetharan et al., 2022; Yamashiro et al., 2023). It is not only the fashion trends that have a far-reaching effect on beauty ideals and thinness. Yes, the fashion industry has a great role in defining the...