The Impact of Exposure to Weight-based Derogatory Media on Body Image and Anti-fat Attitudes
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: This study examined the impact of media that ridicules women for gaining weight on body image satisfaction, appearance self-esteem, fear of negative appearance evaluation, negative affect, and anti-fat attitudes. Female undergraduates (N=240) were randomly assigned to view tabloid-style pictures and accompanying articles about average-size female celebrities that either derogated each celebrity for gaining weight, or provided neutral information about her life. Women in the weight-based derogatory media condition reported lower appearance self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and greater fear of negative appearance evaluation than women in the neutral media condition. Experimental condition did not predict negative affect. Dietary restraint and history of weight-related teasing were tested as potential vulnerability factors, but were not significant as moderators. Additionally, participants in the experimental condition reported lower anti-fat attitudes than women in the control condition. This is the first study to find adverse effects of exposure to weight-based derogatory media.
Author: Katelyn Boersma
Institution: University of Windsor
Language: English
Topic: Obesity and Health Practices
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W74751094