The effect of experimental presentation of thin media images on body satisfaction: a meta-analytic review.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of experimental manipulations of the thin beauty ideal, as portrayed in the mass media, on female body image was evaluated using meta-analysis.


METHODS
Data from 25 studies (43 effect sizes) were used to examine the main effect of mass media images of the slender ideal, as well as the moderating effects of pre-existing body image problems, the age of the participants, the number of stimulus presentations, and the type of research design.


RESULTS
Body image was significantly more negative after viewing thin media images than after viewing images of either average size models, plus size models, or inanimate objects. This effect was stronger for between-subjects designs, participants less than 19 years of age, and for participants who are vulnerable to activation of a thinness schema.


CONCLUSIONS
Results support the sociocultural perspective that mass media promulgate a slender ideal that elicits body dissatisfaction. Implications for prevention and research on social comparison processes are considered.
Groesz
Lisa M
LM
Department of Psychology, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022-9623, USA.
Levine
Michael P
MP
Murnen
Sarah K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012925:Social Conformity; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*