Magazine Exposure and Body Dissatisfaction: The Mediating Roles of Thin Ideal Internalization and Fat Talk

Abstract

The current research sought to investigate whether exposure to societal ideals via magazines is associated with thin ideal internalization, the prevalence of fat talk, and body dissatisfaction. Specifically, this study explored the relationship between magazine exposure and body dissatisfaction through a two-part mediation effect of thin ideal internalization and fat talk in serial. Female participants completed an online questionnaire in regard to fashion, health, and sports magazine exposure, as well as internalization, fat talk, and body dissatisfaction. The mediated models revealed that fashion and health magazines were associated with higher body dissatisfaction, and sports magazines were associated with lower body dissatisfaction. Connecting fat talk to media exposure suggests that women may be advocating and perpetuating the messages they view in media, signifying that both interpersonal and mass communication work together in cultivating the thin ideal.