"Studies with African American participants have indicated distinct experiences of the body and meanings of beauty. Parker et al. (1995) conducted a study with African American, Asian American, Mexican American, and European American female high school students. Using an ethnographic method they found striking differences between African American and European American girls' conceptions and experiences of beauty. European American adolescents' conceptions of beauty were much more rigid, fixed, and uniform than those of African Americans, who were much more flexible and fluid in their notions of beauty. The African American girls' perceptions of beauty focused on personality traits and a personal sense of style, rather than a certain "look." Over 63% of the African American girls in the study believed that beauty meant having the right "attitude" and personality. In addition, the African American participants were much more likely to be satisfied with their weight and appearance than were European American part icipants: 70% of the African American participants were satisfied with their weight, whereas 90% of the European participants were dissatisfied..."

From: Ghanian Beauty

"There is a saying in Ghana that ìthe thicker and heavier, the richer and more attractive a woman is. As well as being more marriageable and  fertile she is.î As suppose to the West where the slimmer, the whiter and lengthier hair she has, the more attractive and marriageable she will    be. While the sayings in both of these places go back in time, it continues even today to be part of what makes their women beautiful, and    young females are taught such values. With such sayings ingrained in the minds of women, having a naturally curvy body is seen as a great    blessing and adored and cherished by African men as well. In fact when women, especially the slim ones are getting married, three weeks  prior to the wedding day, in the Ibo tribe in Nigeria and some parts of Ghana, she must be put in the fatting room. This room is set to be used    by women in a family and they remain there until her wedding. During her stay in the room, she is fed and is not allowed to walk or do any   strenuous activities so she can again weight and refresh for marriage bliss. Unlike the West, slim females are often ridiculed and told to gain weight or they will remain husband-less and seen as unattractive, similar to the way heavy women are seen here in the Western world..."