title: The role of media literacy in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: A systematic review.
abstract: This study comprised a systematic review of literature examining empirical relationships between levels of media literacy and body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The review aimed to integrate research on this topic. Electronic databases were searched for key concepts: media literacy, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating. Media literacy measures were coded for consistency with media literacy constructs. Sixteen eligible studies were identified. Cross-sectional outcomes depended upon the media literacy construct assessed. Some relationships between high scores on measures consistent with media literacy constructs and low scores on body dissatisfaction and related attitudes were found. Media literacy-based interventions revealed improvements in media literacy constructs realism scepticism, influence of media, and awareness of media motives for profit, and improvements in body-related variables, but not disordered eating. Further research examining relationships between theoretically driven media literacy constructs and body and eating concerns is needed. Recommendations are made for evaluating media literacy-based eating disorder prevention.
authors: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia. Electronic address: s.mclean@latrobe.edu.au.
authors: Siân A
authors: SA
authors: McLean
authors: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia. Electronic address: susan.paxton@latrobe.edu.au.
authors: Susan J
authors: SJ
authors: Paxton
authors: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia. Electronic address: e.wertheim@latrobe.edu.au.
authors: Eleanor H
authors: EH
authors: Wertheim
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D000067010:Literacy; D008402:Mass Media; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012649:Self Concept; D013690:Television
keywords: Body dissatisfaction; Disordered eating; Media literacy; Prevention; Systematic review