[Written and pictorial content in magazines and their possible relationship to eating disorders].
In the current study we reviewed the literature on studies exploring the magazine reading frequency, written and pictorial contents appearing in magazines and their connection to eating disorders. Reading different fashion and fitness magazines has effect on readers through several indirect and direct factors and through trustable and false information. They affect readers' body satisfaction, self-esteem, eating habits and more generally their health behavior. Different theories have been explained to account for these associations and several other studies examined empirically the connection between the frequency of magazine reading and eating disorders, as well as the symptoms leading to eating disorders.


METHODS
We analyzed and summarized articles between 1975 and 2009 from online databases. We used the following sources: Science Direct (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), Springer-Verlag GmbH (http://www.springerlink.com/) and SAGE Publications Ltd (http://online.sagepub. com/).


RESULTS
The pictorial and written magazine contents were associated with the development and maintenance of eating disorders or with symptoms that might lead to eating disorders. The publications compared to previous years featured an increased number of advertisements for unhealthy foods, for unhealthy radical diet plans and exercise programs. Furthermore the magazines contained conflicting messages about nutrition, body functions and eating disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Written and pictorial magazine contents, messages might increase the risk for development of eating disorders, especially in vulnerable individuals.
Semmelweis Egyetem Magatartástudományi Intézete, Budapest. szabkor@net.sote.hu
Kornélia
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Szabó
Ferenc
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Túry
D000329:Advertising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D001828:Body Image; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011932:Reading; D012649:Self Concept; D012693:Serial Publications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D040241:Social Marketing