Source
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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.
METHOD:
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.
DISCUSSION:
We discuss restraint status as a moderator of the effects of thin-body images on women's body image.
Copyright 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 333-341, 2004.