The Influence of Media on Body Image and Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents Essay Example
The media has a strong influence on children, shaping their fashion choices, movie preferences, and use of social media. It particularly impacts women's body perceptions as it constantly pressures celebrities and models to maintain flawless looks. In many instances, an individual's physical attractiveness is primarily assessed based on their body composition.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) (2018), there is currently a trend towards slimness in Hollywood. This trend has led many children and adolescents to idolize models and actresses, wanting to emulate their appearance. Unfortunately, this innocent desire for a thinner look can have negative consequences such as reduced body satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and an increase in eating disorders. Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that can be harmful to health or even life-threatening. Generally, eating disorders can be categorized into three main subgroups.
Anorexia Ne
...rvosa, Bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are all types of eating disorders that can have severe consequences for a person's health if they are not treated. Anorexia involves severely limiting food intake to the point where the individual is starving themselves. Bulimia involves consuming large amounts of food and then getting rid of it through vomiting or using laxatives. Binge eating refers to uncontrollable overeating without making oneself vomit.
According to the American Psychological Association (2018), these disorders can lead to long-term negative effects or even death if they are not addressed. In one of the initial studies on how societal pressure to be thin and attractive affects individuals, Heinberg, Thompson, and Stormer (1995) conducted research.
The study, called "The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire" or SATAQ, investigated how attitudes and behaviors become ingrained in a person's learning and unconscious mind
Participants completed a questionnaire that measured their understanding of societal perspectives on attractiveness. The questionnaire included statements to which respondents indicated their level of agreement on a scale from one to five. Additionally, another study was conducted to determine the connection between SATAQ results and the occurrence of body image distortion and eating disorders. The questionnaire covered subjects like self-esteem, physical appearance, body image, and eating habits.
The study found that the SATAQ directly relates to subsequent tests. Children and teenagers are highly likely to adopt societal perspectives on appearance, which is a significant contributor to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among certain populations (Heinberg et al.,1995). Heinberg et al.'s (1995) research influenced a later study to examine the ongoing influence of media's sociocultural pressures and eating behaviors.
Pederson, Hicks and Rosenrauch (2018) conducted a study to explore the impact of mass media on the lives of children and adolescents in light of the internet and social media boom in recent years. The study involved gathering various statistics, including gender, age, average television consumption, weekly magazine reading habits, and time spent on social media sites. Similar to Heinberg et al. (1995), the study utilized questionnaires to assess individuals' body shape concerns.
"The Body Shape Questionnaire" consisted of several questions that required participants to rate their feeling fat level on a scale of one to five. These ratings were subsequently utilized to assess the probability of developing symptoms associated with eating disorders (Pederson et al., 2018). The outcomes yielded compelling evidence supporting a substantial connection between the aspiration for a slim physique and societal influences. The research ultimately determined that continuous exposure to media showcasing celebrities fosters unattainable standards,
resulting in increased dissatisfaction with one's body and a higher frequency of dieting (Pederson et al., 2018).
The results once again align with Heinberg et al. (1995), confirming that the influence of mass media on children and adolescents remains significant. This implies that the impact of media has not changed over time, which is a sought-after element for young individuals throughout their lives.
A study conducted by Arciszewskia, Berjot, and Finez (2012) focused on the impact of being told that one cannot change their body size on individuals' self-perception. The researchers explored the relationship between perceptions of attractiveness and beliefs about the malleability of one's body in relation to perceived image, ideal image, and correct image. Participants were photographed and their pictures were utilized in a computer program where they could modify their body shape based on questions about their actual, ideal, and correct body composition.
Arciszewskia et al. (2012) discovered that when exposed to intimidating images of thin models, women displayed greater concern about their body shape. The participants were separated into two groups: the first group received information suggesting that their bodies were alterable and read an article on this topic, while the second group received information indicating that their bodies were unchangeable and also read an article regarding fixed bodies. The findings indicated that women who held the belief that their bodies could be changed remained unaffected by the menacing model images.
Women in the fixed group had a strong desire to be much thinner, whereas those in the malleable group demonstrated a higher tendency for regular dieting. Importantly, it should be noted that even a seemingly normal diet could possibly result in disordered eating patterns
later on (Arciszewskia et al., 2012).
The research conducted by Heinberg et al. (1995) was compared to that of Pederson et al. (2018) in all three studies, revealing a significant correlation between body image and mass media. We have consistently been exposed to various forms of media throughout our lives, including magazines, television shows, billboards, and social media platforms.
Today's society is filled with an idealized thin body image, which creates immense pressure to conform. This pressure is fueled by constant exposure to famous models and actresses, who greatly influence our perception of beauty. However, the beliefs surrounding body image are also shaped by our peers and daily interactions. In a study conducted by Clark, Tiggemann, and Markia (2008), young girls aged 9-12 were interviewed about their body image and distortions. They were specifically asked about topics such as how often their friends discuss attractiveness or if they choose clothes based on their friends' preferences.
The people around us greatly influence us. From a young age, kids and teens seek validation and approval from others. Studies have revealed that many participants confessed to often seeking their peers' opinions on their looks and clothing choices (Clark et al., 2008). Among teens, Barbie is seen as a significant symbol of societal beauty.
Dittmar and Halliwell (2006) conducted research emphasizing the importance of play and fantasy for young children in developing their values. The study specifically examined how Barbie dolls affect body image in young girls through three separate groups of participants.
The participants were divided into three groups: the first group viewed Barbie dolls, the second group saw Emme dolls, and the third group saw neutral images. After viewing these images, the
participants' body image concerns were evaluated. They chose images that they believed represented their own body shape, the desired body shape, and the ideal adult woman's body shape. The findings showed that girls exposed to Barbie dolls had the highest level of dissatisfaction with their bodies.
According to Dittmar et al. (2006), the dissatisfaction rate among Emme dolls exposure and neutral images was found to be equal. This suggests that girls can be exposed to dolls without experiencing negative effects. However, Barbie dolls depict an unrealistic and thin body ideal.
The extended exposure to dolls in early childhood may have negative effects on body image, self-esteem, eating habits, and the development of eating disorders. This is attributed to the distorted perception of an ideal female appearance at a young age and the influence of mass media. These findings support those documented by Clark et al. (2008).
Two studies examine the origin of body image problems in young children, highlighting that these children usually do not come across magazines or social media platforms. It is crucial to acknowledge that a child's developing brain is both flexible and vulnerable to external influences. As a result, they start internalizing societal ideas of an "ideal" female look, causing them to compare themselves with their peers. Clearly, mass media plays a significant role in shaping individuals' perception of their bodies. The studies demonstrate that many participants heavily depend on media representations to establish beauty standards, placing particular importance on thinness.
The negative effects of this value can be seen in a woman's body satisfaction, eating habits, and emotional state. Research has demonstrated that the media contributes to the development and continuation of eating disorders.
To address this issue, it is important for experts and the public to support the promotion of positive messages that boost self-esteem through various mass media platforms, aiming to reduce the prevalence of eating disorders.
