title: Is the "Yoga Bod" the new skinny?: A comparative content analysis of mainstream yoga lifestyle magazine covers.
abstract: As yoga has gained popularity in Western culture, concerns have been raised about its increased commercialization and assimilation into the predominantly appearance-focused exercise and fitness culture. In this context, the present study examined the physical appearance-related characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, body size, shape, objectifying apparel) of 142 female models and the media frames of 567 captions (e.g., commercialism, body competence, health, weight/physical appearance) featured on the covers of three Westernized yoga lifestyle magazines published between 2010-2015. Results indicated that most models were White, embodying the contemporary "thin-and-lean" media fitness aesthetic. Models were actively posed with high body visibility; an appreciable minority was partially-clad in skin-revealing or form-fitting upper-body attire. Media frames conveying commercialism and body competence were equally present. The pattern of effects tended to reflect the strength of the magazine title's endorsement of exercise and fitness cultural values. Clinical and public health implications along with future research directions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Psychology, United States. Electronic address: jennifer.webb@uncc.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, United States.
authors.forename: Erin R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Vinoski
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, United States.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren-Findlow
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Meagan P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Padro
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Department of Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Burris
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Suddreth
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D000067029:Physical Appearance, Body; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Body competence; Body objectification; Health media frames; Magazine covers; Physical appearance; Yoga