title: Effects of exposure to thin-ideal media images on body dissatisfaction: testing the inclusion of a disclaimer versus warning label.
abstract: The current study was designed to determine whether the inclusion of a disclaimer (i.e., "Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person's physical appearance.") or warning (i.e., "Warning: Trying to look as thin as this model may be dangerous to your health.") added to images of thin/attractive models would affect body dissatisfaction and intent to diet in female undergraduate students (n=342). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (a) disclaimer, (b) warning, (c) model control, or (d) car control. Results revealed a significant interaction between group and time, whereby only the car control group reported a significant change (i.e., decrease) in body dissatisfaction over time. Groups did not differ on intent to diet measured at post-exposure. The results largely replicate other findings in this area and call into question advocacy efforts to label media images as a strategy to decrease women's identification with the stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Rheanna N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ata
authors.forename: J Kevin
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Brent J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D030881:Disclosure; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008402:Mass Media; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011356:Product Labeling; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Advertisements; Body image; Disclaimers; Eating disturbance; Magazines