Abstract
This study compares the body sizes of Korean and Mongolian female college students, their perceptions about body size, and body satisfaction based on similar cultural backgrounds. The subjects consisted of 164 Korean students and 171 Mongolian students from March to April, 2008. The age range was 17 to 22 years. We directly measured the body sizes of subjects and examined by questionnaire the degree of body cathexis, perceived body size, and ideal body size. Both Korean and Mongolian college students have similar body measurements but Korean college students have smaller heads, broader and slopped shoulders, and thinner arms and legs. There were insignificant differences in perceived body size for both groups; in particular they perceived that their lower body is fat or thick. However, there were differences in body satisfaction. Both groups had the lowest satisfaction rate for their lower bodies; but in all items, Korean college students had a lower body satisfaction rate than Mongolian college students even though they have thinner arms and legs. Finally, the ideal body style for both groups was a skinny body type, but Korean students preferred a much thinner body type. The body satisfaction rate is greatly affected by the ideal body than the actual body.
