items of interest

with contributions from Bernie S. Siegel, A. N. Wilson

In most of Fiji it is usually considered a compliment to tell someone that he or she has gained weight. But in one province, teenagers are suffering from eating disorders and depression because they are worried about being too fat.

What makes this province different? In 1995 television was introduced into a province on Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. Some research shows that young women in particular are now identifying more with body images they see on TV than with their own cultural group. Another factor may be that television is actually changing their culture.

Reported in The New York Times May 20, 1999

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