Stability of body image and body image dissatisfaction in American college students over about the last 15 years

Abstract

It is widely assumed that body image dissatisfaction is increasing, particularly in females. We examined data from comparable samples, University of Pennsylvania introductory psychology students, over a span of about 15 years (1983–1984 versus 1995–1998). Ratings of current and ideal body figure were obtained using silhouettes, along with self-reported height and weight. While males always had a much smaller discrepancy between current and ideal than females, levels of dissatisfaction and gender differences in satisfaction have remained the same in these samples. This finding contrasts with the conclusion of a meta-analysis by Feingold and Mazzella in 1998 (Psychological Science9 (3), 190–195), which indicates an increased difference in body image satisfaction between men and women over the last two decades. Possible accounts for this difference in results are discussed.