An Evaluation of Body Image and Self-esteem

984 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Beauty standards in todays media

Obesity has a major effect on children across the world. The highest rates of obesity in the US is experienced amongst African American girls. Being overweight is related to many psychological risk factors. Body dissatisfaction is being okay with one's overall weight/size. Although being okay with one's overall appearance is a characterized aspect of body esteem. African American girls have not usually displayed emotion distress concerning weight evaluation. Although African Americans girls are dissatisfied with their bodies, it does note conducts them to assess their overall appearance. (Dalton et al. 2011) The increase of eating pathology is partially due to the mass media. The unrealistic thin images of models in the media in comparison to female's actual self-image. The exposure to images of slender models could lead to restrained diet, and several other risk factors. According to an experiment by Field, they found that males that were looking to imitate models in the media, use products to enhance their appearance. Researcher Anschutz, Strien and Engels stated that approximately 20,000 television commercials are viewed by adolescent in the US every year. Companies use attractive, thin models to promote their merchandise. The social comparison suggest that person analyze their own appearance in an negative aspect after watching exceeding attractive people. (Anschutz, Van Strien & Engels, 2011) Research in the US reports that about 40% of adolescent girls are not pleased with their body. About 48% of 9-12 year old girls were completely dissatisfied with their body and 22% thought that they were too 'fat'. (Halliwell, Easun & Harcourt, 2011) The concern with the dissatisfaction of their bodies contributes to negative emotion... ... middle of paper ... ...iction in restrained eaters. Psychology Of Popular Media Culture, 1(S), 48-59. doi:10.1037/2160-4134.1.S.48 Harriger, J., & Thompson, J. (2012). Hollywood and the Obsession with the Perfect Body. Sex Roles,66(9/10), 695-697. Chase, K. (2009). Youth and disordered eating... "Influences of disordered eating in prepubescent children" (February 2009, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 21-24). Journal Of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 47(7), 7. doi:10.3928/02793695-20090701-08 Hawkins, N., Richards, P., Granley, H., & Stein, D. M. (2004). The Impact of Exposure to the Thin-Ideal Media Image on Women.Eating Disorders: The Journal Of Treatment & Prevention, 12(1), 35-50. doi:10.1080/10640260490267751 Teen Health and the Media. (n.d.). Teen Health and the Media. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts

Show More
Related

  • Louise: An Emotional Binge Eater

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    O’Dea, Jennifer A. "Evidence for a Self-Esteem Approach in the Prevention of Body Image and Eating Problems among Children and Adolescents." Eating Disorders 12.3 (2004): 225-39. Web. Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Media on the Body-Image of Preadolescent Girls

    1991 Words  | 4 Pages

    Media is infamous for having a tremendous effect on teenage girls. The mass media have long been criticized for presenting unrealistic appearance ideals that contribute to the development of negative body image for many women and girls (Harrison & Hefner, 2006). Whether it’s the influence on their choice of friends, school, or their self image, media has played an important role in affecting those decisions. A growing number of experimental studies have demonstrated a causal link between acute exposure to "thin-ideal" images (i.e., images of impossibly thin and attractive female beauty) and increased body dissatisfaction (Hargreaves & Tiggemann, 2003). It has recently been brought up that media influences girls in preadolescence, which is highly likely since most young girls idolize Barbie (Rintala & Mustajoki, 1992). “Were Barbie a flesh-and-blood woman, her waist would be 39% smaller than that of anorexic patients, and her body weight would be so low that she would not be able to menstruate” (Rintala & Mustajoki, 1992). Most young girls wish that they could look like Barbie when they grew up, but if they knew the reality of having her measurements their perceptions would probably change. Children frequently fantasize about who they will be, what they will do, and how they will look when they grow into adulthood.

    Read More

  • Social Media Has a Negative Effect on Body Image and Self Esteem

    1204 Words  | 3 Pages

    Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-261.

    Read More

  • Body Image in African American Women

    3068 Words  | 7 Pages

    Body image is an important facet in understanding the phenomenon of eating disorders. Body image concerns are important in the etiology and treatment of eating disorders and obesity (Smith, Thompson, Raczynski, and Hilner, 1997; Thompson, 1997). The construct of body image reflects the level of satisfaction one feels regarding his or her body. Body image is a multidimensional construct. It involves race, socioeconomic status, age, as well as, perceptual and attitudinal components. For this reason, research has been done to dispel the myth that all women have a negative body image. Rather, as has been shown, there are definite differences in the perception of body image and self-concept, especially across racial lines. The claims of most studies suggest that African-American women generally have a greater tolerance or acceptability for higher body weight. In addition, African-American women are also thought to place less importance on body size in the scheme of their overall body image, and there are more likely to be satisfied if they are at a higher body weight, and still regard themselves as attractive. Research not only confirms these statements, but also draws attention to other important, culturally- relevant factors, such as age in relation to other cultural forces such as, different attitudes and behaviors that shape the body images of African-American women. Finally, since research shows that body image is an important aspect in the etiology of eating disorders and obesity, its influence and the cultural forces and components behind it should be taken into account in treatment and for future research.

    Read More

  • Media's Role in Promoting Eating Disorders

    1864 Words  | 4 Pages

    Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-61. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.waketech.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/196508089?accountid=15152

    Read More

  • Analysis of Eating Disorders

    2686 Words  | 6 Pages

    Derenne, Jennifer L., and Eugene V. Beresin. "Body Image, Media, and Eating Disorders." Academic Psychiatry 30. June (2006): 257-61. Web. 23 Mar. 2011.

    Read More

  • Influence of the Media on Eating Disorders

    2668 Words  | 6 Pages

    The media can impact people’s lives in many ways, whether it’s fashion, movies, literature, or hobbies. One of the impacts is how women view their bodies. Movie stars and models feel pressured to catch attention and to look good in order to have a good career in their respective field. People tend to judge how someone looks based on their body composition. The result of this “judgment” is that Hollywood is getting skinny. Since models and actresses serve as role models for people, people tend to want to look like them. The result of this seemingly harmless model of behavior is in an increase in eating disorders.

    Read More

  • The Media Influence on Body Image

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    Researchers have used various abstract foundations for examining the relationship between media and body image ( Holmstrom, 2004). Here I review the theory that has been used by researcher in the area. Bandura’s Social cognitive theory (1994) assumed that “people learn and model the behaviors of attractive others”. The supporters of this theory suggest that young women find slim models in the media attractive and try to imitate them through dieting which leads them to eating disorders.

    Read More

  • Anorexia Essay

    1679 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the main external factors in the development of an eating disorder is the media. The media objectifies both men and women throug...

    Read More

  • Socio-Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    “The attention-grabbing pictures of various high-flying supermodels and actors on different magazine covers and advertisements go a long way in influencing our choices” (Bagley). The media is highly affective to everyone, although they promote an improper image of living. Research proved says those with low self-esteem are most influenced by media. Media is not the only culprit behind eating disorders. However, that does not mean that they have no part in eating disorders. Media is omnipresent and challenging it can halt the constant pressure on people to be perfect (Bagley). Socio-cultural influences, like the false images of thin women have been researched to distort eating and cause un-satisfaction of an individual’s body. However, it is clear that, although virtually all women are exposed to these socio-cultural influences, only a very small proportion develop clinical eating disorders (Mazzeo and Bulik). Every article believes that socio-culture have an impact on eating disorders. Although, researchers believe that is not the only reason, and the easiest statement to make. Eating disorders are far more complicated than it just being blamed on the media. Bagley, Mazzeo and Bulik all state that media play a role in the development but are not the main reason to developing an eating disorder. In all of the research done thus far media is a part of eating disorders, but not the only culprit.

    Read More

  • The Effects Of Feminist Theory On Body Image Among Women

    1427 Words  | 3 Pages

    The sociocultural approach to the issue of body image among women states that women receive harmful and negative cultural messages about their bodies. These messages can come from the media as well as from family and peer influences (Swami, 2015). By promoting the thin ideal for attractiveness, the media contributes to women rating their bodies more negatively and thus increases their likelihood of developing eating disorder symptoms (Spitzer, Henderson & Zivian, 1999). In a meta-analysis studying the effects of media images on female body image, Groesz and Levine (2002) found that women’s body image was significantly more negative after viewing thin media images than after viewing average or plus size models. Harmful body messages from family can be direct, such as verbal criticism or teasing, or in...

    Read More

  • Reasons Why Women Develop a Negative Body Image

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    In her novel “Beauty Myth”, Naomi Wolf argues that the beauty and fashion industry are to blame for using false images to portray what beautiful woman is. She believes the magazines are to blame for women hating their bodies. Wolf states, “When they discuss [their bodies], women lean forward, their voices lower. They tell their terrible secret. It’s my breast, they say. My hips. It’s my thighs. I hate my stomach.” (Wolf, 451) She is focusing on how w...

    Read More

  • Media's Influence on Body Image

    1544 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nio, T. (2003). Cultivation and social comparison of the thin-ideal syndrome: The effects of media exposure on body image disturbance and the state self-esteem of college women. School of Journalism in the Graduate Scho, 105-113.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Self-Assessed Body Image on Confidence and Self-Esteem

    2460 Words  | 5 Pages

    Research in psychology today seems to be drawn towards particular fields of interest especially when it comes to understanding human behavior. One of the most common research topics for social psychology is body image and the perceptions that are related to age groups, genders, and ethnicities. Young people today are pressured by society to make physical appearance a dominant factor in their everyday lives, and the pressure is found not only through media influence but friends and family as well (Pavica, 2010). These pressures can affect many different aspects of a person’s life and significantly influence their actions. The aspects affected by body image can include popularity among peers, social comfort, and the attitudes an individual comes to commit to behavior (Lewis & Rosenblum, 1999).

    Read More

  • The Media's Effect on Women

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mackler, Carolyn. Body Outlaws: Rewriting the Rules of Beauty and Body Image. Ed. Ophira Edut. Emeryville, CA: Seal, 2004. Print.

    Read More

More about An Evaluation of Body Image and Self-esteem

Open Document