Malta is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning coastline – and it turns out people are happy with the way they look, too.
A study has shown that Malta is the country with the highest level of body confidence in the world.
In a global survey, researchers at Anglia Ruskin University asked more than 56,000 people from 65 nations about their body image.
Malta, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan topped the list of most body conscious countries.
At the other end of the table, Australia, India and the UK were identified as the countries with the lowest proportion of people confident in their numbers.
In a new global study, researchers at Anglia Ruskin University surveyed over 56,000 people from 65 nations about their body image. Malta, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan topped the list of most body conscious countries
Previous research has found a link between high levels of body appreciation and a range of positive attributes of well-being, including improved self-esteem and healthy eating habits.
However, there has been little research into how body appreciation varies from country to country. To answer this question, the team surveyed 56,968 participants from 65 nations. They were asked to rate the extent to which they agree with ten statements, including “I respect my body” and “I appreciate the different and unique characteristics of my body.”
The 10 most body conscious countries
10 Countries With The Least Body Confidence
Overall, the results showed that a more positive body image is strongly associated with better psychological well-being and life satisfaction.
Professor Viren Swami, lead author of the study, said: “This is one of the largest body image studies ever conducted, resulting from collaborative research by over 250 scientists around the world.”
“Our finding that greater body appreciation is associated with better psychological well-being underscores the importance of developing ways to promote more positive body image globally.”
Breaking down the results by country, the researchers found that Malta topped the list with the most body confidence, followed by Taiwan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, South Korea and the Philippines.
People in Australia had the lowest body confidence, followed by India, Great Britain, Ireland, Ukraine, Germany and the USA (stock image)
At the other end of the scale, people in Australia had the lowest body confidence, followed by India, the UK, Ireland, Ukraine, Germany and the US.
Finally, the study found that across all countries, body appreciation was higher among people living in rural areas and singles.
“People living in urban areas may feel greater pressure to conform to body ideals promoted by Western society, and it is also notable that people from countries considered culturally different than the United States appear to have a generally greater Have an appreciation for the body,” said Professor Swami.
“People in rural areas may also benefit from spending time in nature, as previous research has shown this is also linked to positive body image.”
The researchers hope the findings will encourage authorities around the world to promote more positive body image.
“We are confident that the present work will help scholars better understand the meaning and manifestation of body appreciation in different countries, and that it will be of value to practitioners and policymakers committed to promoting a more positive body image in different countries “We want to use groups in national, cultural and linguistic areas,” the team wrote in the study published in Body Image.