A Study on Social- Cultural Factors Affecting Body Image with an Emphasis on Lifestyle among Young Women in Tehran

With visual symbols of status and identity in late modernity, body has turned as a mean for the expression of identity and symbol of personality. Body care and monitoring provides the opportunity for people to maintain personal narrative of their bodies and put it on display. Given the importance attached to it, this article studies the relationship between lifestyle and body image among young women. The theoretical framework of the research is based on the theories of Giddens, Bourdiew, and Fouca. Study population of the research is 2659681, and the sample population is 415 women in Tehran. Cochran formula using multi-stage cluster sampling method has been applied to select the sample population. Data and information has been collected through survey and questionnaire. Also, multi-variable regression and structural equation modeling (AMOS) have been employed for analyzing the data. Test hypotheses suggest that there is a significant relationship among such variables as cultural consumption, cultural capital of body management, religious affiliation, leisure-time activities, education, age, and body image. The regression results indicate that, based on Beta value, variables like body management, religious affiliation, cultural consumption, cultural capital, education, and age have the greatest impact on explaining the body image, with the first one (body management) having the most powerful effect. In order to test major and minor theoretical pattern, structural equation modeling was used. Top fitting indicators suggest that the data support the theoretical foundations very well.