title: Self-enhancing effects of exposure to thin-body images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the effect of thin-body media images on mood, self-esteem, and self-image ratings of restrained and unrestrained eaters. A secondary purpose was to examine whether these effects were influenced by exposure duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Under the guise of a perception study, participants were exposed to thin-body or control advertisements (e.g., perfume bottles) for either 7 or 150 ms and then completed a questionnaire packet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Restrained eaters reported more favorable self-image and social self-esteem (but not appearance self-esteem) scores after exposure to thin-body images than after exposure to control advertisements. The self-image and social self-esteem scores of unrestrained eaters were unaffected by advertisement type, but their appearance self-esteem scores were lower after exposure to thin-body advertisements. No differences were found for mood ratings and total self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss restraint status as a moderator of the effects of thin-body images on women's body image.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: C Peter
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polivy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires