Negative Body Perception Research Articles

Investigation of the relationship between self-perception and alexithymia levels of high-risk pregnant women

Abstract Alexithymia, known as emotional unresponsiveness, can occur at any time in response to extreme stress during upsetting life events. A risky pregnancy is also a challenging process associated with psychological and emotional difficulties, and pregnant women may experience perception problems. Therefore, a risky pregnancy diagnosis may trigger the development of alexithymia. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-perception and alexithymia levels in women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 250 high-risk pregnant women admitted to the hospital between June and November 2022. Data were gathered using the “Socio-demographic Information Form”, A Alexithymia Scale” and the “Pregnant Women’s Self-Perception Scale “. The data was analyzed using the Independent T-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson Correlation Test, and Simple Linear Regression Analysis. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. The mean age of the pregnant women in the study group was 30.25 ± 5.78 years. It was found that there was a significant negative correlation between the total score of the A Alexithymia Scale and the Total Score of the Motherhood Perception of Pregnancy Sub-dimension (r=-.197; p < 0.05) and the Total Score of the Body Perception of Pregnancy Sub-dimension (=-.395; p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in the pregnant women’s score on the Body Perception Sub-dimension causes a decrease of 1.822 points in the A Alexithymia Scale score. The study’s findings indicate that pregnant women with a high motherhood perception but a negative body perception have lower alexithymia levels. Therefore, alexithymia levels decrease in pregnant women who can make sense of and express their negative emotions during risky pregnancies.

Body Shaming in Online Space: Systematic Review

The main aim of this research paper is to synthesize previous studies and offer a thorough review of the selected body shaming research. Our study summarized the findings of 9 studies that addressed the issues of body shaming, body image, and appreance dissatisfaction in relation to the online space among adolescents and young adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. In the study, we primarily focused on the age and gender of the participants, protective and risk factors as well as the consequences in connection with the investigated issue. Consequences included low self-esteem, negative feelings related to one's body image, anxiety, depression, shame, comparison, perfectionism about physical appearance, editing photos before sharing on social networks, etc. Interventions discuss positive results in self-compassion, which is directly related to body shaming and body-esteem from previous consequences. Aim The main aim of this research paper is to synthesize previous studies and offer a thorough review of the selected body shaming research. The frequent mentions of terms related to body image and self-esteem in the context of online media suggest a variety of negative consequences for individuals which speaks to the importance of mental health support for those affected by these issues . Methods This study summarized the findings of 9 studies that addressed the issues of body shaming, body image, and appreance dissatisfaction in relation to the online space among adolescents and young adults. The methodology describes the data collection procedure using the ASReview Lab system. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The review we present includes a descriptive analysis of the data. The search strategy included searching abstracts of relevant studies. Automatic random selection was used to identify eligible studies. Abstracts were categorized as relevant or irrelevant according to the keywords entered. The selection process continued until a stopping criterion was reached. ResultsIn the study, we primarily focused on the age and gender of the participants, protective and risk factors as well as the consequences in connection with the investigated issue. Consequences included low self-esteem, negative feelings related to one's body image, anxiety, depression, shame, comparison, perfectionism about physical appearance, editing photos before sharing on social networks, etc. We perceive a correlation with individual consequences and interventions. Striving for positive changes and interventions can be considered as a direct response to the negative consequences mentioned above, such as body shame, low self-esteem, negative body perception, etc. Interventions discuss positive results in self-compassion, which is directly related to body shaming and body-esteem from previous consequences. Similarly, interventions with positive effects on body image are related to several already mentioned consequences, such as worse body image, dissatisfaction with appearance and negative perception of one's own body. Conclusions: The findings suggest an equally high need for prevention strategies and educational interventions that promote media literacy and critical thinking skills for safer interactions in the online space among adolescents and young adults. We believe that our study will be an inspiration for further research, either by supplementing the systematic review with additional studies or empirical interventions in the form of prevention or interventions in connection with the examined issue of physical appearance and online space.

A Prospective Study on Activities of Daily Living, Comfort, Body Image, and Cardiac Symptoms in Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

BackgroundA coronary artery bypass graft procedure reduces mortality for cardiovascular patients, but those undergoing it often face negative body perception, loss of daily activities, and lingering symptoms, hindering full functional recovery and comfort. AimTo compare the comfort level, activities of daily living, and body image based on certain characteristics of patients at baseline, (ii) Evaluate changes over time in levels of discomfort, activities of daily living, body image, and cardiac symptoms before and after CABG surgery within three months. MethodThis descriptive prospective cohort study comprised 50 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery. The study examined cardiac symptoms, comfort levels, daily activities, and multidimensional body-self relationships as its outcomes. ResultsA Friedman test revealed that patients' body image, comfort levels, activities of daily living, and each heart symptom were significantly influenced by the time of day. According to this study, patients most frequently reported experiencing exhaustion, depression, and worry as cardiac symptoms. Only the comfort level exhibited a high correlation with each heart symptom, as indicated by Spearman's rho analysis. ConclusionThe body image, comfort level, activities of daily living, and cardiac symptoms of patients changed over time. Therefore, regular assessments of these symptoms during the pre- and post-operative periods could offer valuable insights into patients' needs. This information can be instrumental in developing interventions that address patients' well-being and may positively impact patient outcomes.

Co-Designing Sensory Feedback for Wearables to Support Physical Activity through Body Sensations

Many technologies for promoting physical activity (PA) give limited importance to critical variables for engagement in PA, such as negative body perceptions. Here, we aim to address this gap by incorporating barriers and experienced body sensations into the design process for wearables and body-based devices thus expanding the design space for such technologies. We first report four co-design workshops with physically inactive participants (n=9); in these workshops, we explored tangible tools (i) to sensitize people to body sensations experienced when facing barriers to PA and (ii) to ideate how haptic and auditory feedback could transform body sensations to increase body-awareness and engagement in PA; results show several interactive sensorial patterns with potential to inform the design of body transformation wearables. These were validated through a follow-up workshop (n=13 participants) and reflections based on insights from a literature review. Our findings are significant for the design of ubiquitous technology to support and initiate PA in everyday contexts through a novel approach of transforming body perceptions/ sensations related to PA barriers. We contribute design inspirations and cards for identifying barriers to PA and to empower designers and researchers to integrate them early in the design process.

Psychosexual development, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in long-term childhood cancer survivors: DCCSS-LATER 2 sexuality substudy.

Childhood cancer may negatively impact childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) sexuality. However, this is an understudied research area. We aimed to describe the psychosexual development, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of CCS, and identify determinants for these outcomes. Secondarily, we compared the outcomes of a subsample of emerging adult CCS to the Dutch general population. From the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963-2001), 1912 CCS (18-71years, 50.8% male) completed questions on sexuality, psychosocial development, body perception, mental and physical health. Multivariable linear regressions were used to identify determinants. Sexuality of CCS age 18-24 (N=243) was compared to same-aged references using binomial tests and t-tests. One third of all CCS reported hindered sexuality due to childhood cancer, with insecure body the most often reported reason (44.8%). Older age at study, lower education, surviving central nervous system cancer, poorer mental health and negative body perception were identified as determinants for later sexual debut, worse sexual functioning and/or sexual satisfaction. CCS age 18-24 showed significantly less experience with kissing (p=0.014), petting under clothes (p=0.002), oral (p=0.016) and anal sex (p=0.032) when compared to references. No significant differences with references were found for sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, neither among female CCS nor male CCS age 18-24. Emerging adult CCS reported less experience with psychosexual development, but similar sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction compared to references. We identified determinants for sexuality, which could be integrated in clinical interventions for CCS at risk for reduced sexuality.

Body perception in pregnant women: a qualitative study

BackgroundDramatic body changes in pregnancy cause severe concerns among pregnant women about their appearance. Therefore, this study aimed to explore body perception in pregnant women.Materials and methodsThe qualitative study, using the conventional content analysis approach, was conducted on Iranian pregnant women who were in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling method. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were held with 18 pregnant women aged 22 to 36 years, using open-ended questions. Sampling was performed until data saturation was reached.ResultsThree main categories were extracted from 18 interviews: (1) “symbols,” with two subcategories, including ‘motherhood’ and ‘vulnerability,’ (2) “feelings toward body changes,” with five subcategories, including ‘negative feelings toward skin changes,’ ‘feeling unfit,’ ‘attention-drawing body shape,’ ‘the ridiculous body shape’ and ‘obesity,’ and (3) “attraction and beauty,” with two subcategories, including ‘sexual attraction’ and ‘facial beauty.’ConclusionThe results showed that pregnant women’s body perception could be described as maternal feelings and feminine attitudes toward changes during pregnancy compared to mental ideals of facial and body beauty. It is recommended that Iranian women’s body perception during pregnancy be evaluated using this study results and that counseling interventions be implemented for women with negative body perceptions.

“Burden that cannot be borne”: qualitative study of body dissatisfaction among women during the pandemic

ABSTRACT Long-duration restrictions during the pandemic caused different effects on women’s mental health in terms of eating behavior and negative body perception. This study was performed with the aim of determining opinions about body perceptions women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a qualitative study using the content analysis method. A total of 10 women, determined with the targeted sampling method (similar group), were interviewed who were young adults and adults. Research data were collected between July – August 2021 with an information form and semi-structured interview form. The content analysis method was used to analyze data to create themes. The women in the study were aged from 20–39 years and eight of the 10 women were married, and all had undergraduate degrees. The research revealed 3 main themes and 7 subthemes. The themes were determined as dissatisfaction (vicious circle, loss of the self-respect), burden that cannot be borne (complications, pressure from others) and restrictions (cage, self-care neglect, Necessity of support). During the pandemic, it was identified that the body dissatisfaction of women increased, in addition to emotional and physical burdens, they had difficulty coping with this situation and required psychological support to struggle with burdens they could not bear.

The Mediating Effect of Negative Appearance Evaluation on the Relationship Between Eating Attitudes and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance.

ObjectiveBody-image disturbance and eating disorders are significant physical and mental health problems in China. Attitudes toward the body are thought to work in conjunction with other established risk factors for dietary pathology, which include body dissatisfaction, dieting, and negative effects. Negative appearance evaluation may be valuable for extending our understanding of measuring factors and potential causal relationships associated with body image and eating problems. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between negative appearance evaluation and a combination of eating attitudes and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance and the mediating effect of negative appearance evaluation on the relationship between eating attitudes and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance.MethodsWe invited 339 Chinese adults to undergo the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Fear of Negative Appearance Evaluation Scale (FNAES), and the Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance (SATAQ-3) scale, and used AMOS 24.0 for model construction and mediating effects testing.ResultsThere was a significant positive correlation between EAT-26 scores and FNAES (p < 0.001) and SATAQ-3 scores (p < 0.001), and all dimensions except internalization general were significantly positively correlated (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between FNAES and SATAQ-3 scores for all dimensions (p < 0. 01). There was no significant direct effect of eating attitude on sociocultural attitude toward appearance; however, there was a significant mediating effect of fear of negative appearance evaluation.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that negative appearance evaluation fully mediates the relationship between eating attitudes and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance. An individual’s attitude toward eating affects negative body perceptions and thus their perception of their own body shape. Our exploration of the specific effects of eating attitudes on body perception provides a psychological basis for guidance and developing interventions regarding attitudes toward the body.

여자대학생의 필라테스 수업 참여 과정 탐색: 근거이론 적용

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the process of female college students’ participation in Pilates classes through grounded theory. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 female college students who participated in the liberal arts classes in ‘Life Sports’ and ‘Pilates’ opened at University B in Gyeonggi-do. From the collected data, paradigm models were derived through open coding and axis coding, and core categories and story outlines were extracted through selective coding. Result: “Participating in Pilates class” appeared as the central phenomenon, and the causal situations were ‘Negative body perception’ and ‘Curiosity about Pilates’. Contextual conditions were ‘concurrent class and exercise’ and ‘expensive Pilates’, and mediating conditions were ‘participation facilitator’ and ‘participation hindrance factor’. The action/interaction strategy was ‘motor communication’ and ‘teacher’s support’, and according to the action/interaction strategy, ‘change of body attitude’ and ‘improvement of professionalism’ appeared. Conclusion: Participants recognized the effects of Pilates through Pilates class and their attitude toward the body changed. Based on this study, it is expected that discussions on the possibility of various field applications of Pilates and the professionalism of Pilates as a college physical education class will continue.

Psychosocial consequences of invitation to colorectal cancer screening: a matched cohort study

BackgroundPsychosocial consequences of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can arise anywhere in the screening cascade. Previous studies have investigated the consequences of participating in CRC screening; however, we have not identified...

The Relations Between Social Media Addiction and Negative Body Perception in Turkish University Students

The Relations Between Social Media Addiction and Negative Body Perception in Turkish University Students

Effect of Psycho-Regulatory Massage Therapy on Pain and Depression in Women with Chronic and/or Somatoform Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chronic unspecific back pain (cBP) is often associated with depressive symptoms, negative body perception, and abnormal interoception. Given the general failure of surgery in cBP, treatment guidelines focus on conservative therapies. Neurophysiological evidence indicates that C-tactile fibers associated with the oxytonergic system can be activated by slow superficial stroking of the skin in the back, shoulder, neck, and dorsal limb areas. We hypothesize that, through recruitment of C-tactile fibers, psycho-regulatory massage therapy (PRMT) can reduce pain in patients with cBP. In our study, 66 patients were randomized to PRMT or CMT (classical massage therapy) over a 12-week period and tested by questionnaires regarding pain (HSAL= Hamburger Schmerz Adjektiv Liste; Hamburg Pain adjective list), depression (BDI-II = Beck depression inventory), and disability (ODI = Oswestry Disability Index). In all outcome measures, patients receiving PRMT improved significantly more than did those receiving CMT. The mean values of the HSAL sensory subscale decreased by −51.5% in the PRMT group compared to −6.7% in the CMT group. Depressive symptoms were reduced by −55.69% (PRMT) and −3.1% (CMT), respectively. The results suggest that the superiority of PRMT over CMT may rely on its ability to activate the C-tactile fibers of superficial skin layers, recruiting the oxytonergic system.

The Role of Body Image Concerns in Online Sexual Victimization among Female Adolescents: The Mediating Effect of Risky Online Behaviors

Female adolescents are particularly at risk of body image concerns. These individuals tend to make greater use of Social Networks and this could lead adolescents into behaviors that increase the risk of online sexual victimization (OSV). This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the relation between body image concerns and OSV in a sample of female adolescents (n = 229) and the mediating role of three types of risky online behaviors in this link. Body image concerns predict OSV both directly and indirectly. Two of the three risky online behaviors proved to be mediators of the indirect link, namely: indiscriminate expansion of online network of contacts; and willingness to have relationships with strangers met online. Surprisingly, the third behavior, Sexting and Exhibitionism, was not shown to be a mediating factor between body image concerns and OSV. From our results emerges that adolescent girls with a negative body perception have a higher risk of OSV, and the relation between the two variables can be mediated by some risky online behaviors. It is likely that female adolescents use SNs more and adopt risky online behaviors in order to receive gratification and reassurance about their negative body image.

유아의 신체상 변화에 관한 단기종단연구: 유아의 신체인식과 관련요인

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in the body perception of young children using a short-term longitudinal design, then to investigate the factors related to their body perception. Methods: Participants were 65 preschool children and their mothers that were recruited from five institutions. An 11-month, two-time point longitudinal design was used in which children were interviewed individually to examine the changes in body perception. At the second time point, children were assessed with an additional measure to investigate self-esteem, and their mothers also reported on maternal factors and children's media experience through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, independent t-test, correlations and ANOVA. Results: The results showed a significant decline of children's negative body perception over time. Children’s media experience was positively correlated with negative body perception. Mothers whose children showed higher body mass index (BMI) sent more verbal messages about their child's weight reduction. In addition, children's negative body perception was positively correlated with physical self-esteem. Finally, there was a significant difference in only the physical self-esteem according to the level of children's body perception. Conclusion/Implications: The findings would suggest theoretical and practical implications to support intervention and education programs to improve the body image of young children.

Weight Control Practices in Turkish Adolescents and Factors Related with Over- Weight and Obesity

Abstract Backgrounds Over-weight and negative body perception that may develop during adolescence period cause many slimming experiences, especially the diet and as the state of discontent increases, the methods used are more unhealthy and dangerous. This study was conducted to determine the weight control practices and the factors related to over-weight-obesity in Turkish adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 900 high school students aged between 14-18. The data were collected by using an introductory form including questions about socio-demographic characteristics and weight control, eating attitude test (EAT-26), Bergen Insomnia Scale and height-weight. Results In this study, it was found that 9.1% of the adolescents were overweight, 8.2% of them were obese, and 32.9% of them had a risky eating behavior (EAT-26 score &amp;gt; 20). It was found that 87.7% of adolescents who are overweight-obese and 40% of those with normal weight were wanted to lose weight. It was determined that 70.4% of adolescents exercise for weight control, 63.6% of them increased fluid consumption and 16.6% of them used weight loss dietary supplement. Adolescents who were overweight-obese had a higher proportion of those with a risk of eating behavior (EAT&amp;gt; 20) and those with insomnia problems than those with normal weight (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The factors related to overweight and obesity were found in female adolescents; standing snacking, angry negative moods and sometimes consuming irregular meals between meals, whereas in male students; watching TV, working while eating, standing snacking, late-night eating and insomnia (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions It was determined that the majority of overweight-obese students wanted to lose weight and some of those had a risky eating habits and preferred unhealthy methods for weight control. These results indicate that was need programs of healthy weight control and prevention of obesity in the schools. Key messages Adolescents who were overweight-obese had a higher proportion of those with a risk of eating behavior (EAT&amp;gt; 20). There is a need for public health programs on healthy weight control and weight regulation practices for adolescents.

Instrument translation and initial psychometric evaluation of the Danish Body Image Quality of Life Inventory.

Negative body perception has been reported in a number of patient populations. No instrument in Danish for measuring body image-related concerns has been available. Without such an instrument, understanding of the phenomenon in Danish-speaking populations is limited. The purpose of the study was thus to translate and validate a Danish version of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), in order to obtain a valid instrument applicable for healthcare research. The study consisted of two phases: (i) instrument adaptation, including forward and back translation, expert committee comparisons and cognitive interviewing, and (ii) empirical testing of the Danish version (BIQLI-DA) with subsequent psychometric evaluation. Hypothesised correlations to other measures, including body mass index (BMI), Medical Outcome Short Form-8 (SF-8), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R® ) were tested. In addition, exploratory factor structure analysis (EFA) and internal consistency on item and scale level were performed. The adapted instrument was found to be semantically sound, yet concerns about face validity did arise through cognitive interviews. Danish college students (n = 189, 65 men, Mage = 21.1 years) participated in the piloting of the BIQLI-DA. Convergent construct validity was demonstrated through associations to related constructs. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a potential subscale structure. Finally, results showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). Support for the validity of the BIQLI-DA might have been strengthened by repeating cognitive interviews after layout alterations, by piloting the instrument on a larger sample. This study demonstrated tentative support for the validity of the Danish Body Image Quality of Life (BIQLI-DA) and found the measure to be reliable in terms of internal consistency. Further exploration of response processes and construct validity is needed.

Feeling ‘too fat’ rather than being ‘too fat’ increases unhealthy eating habits among adolescents – even in boys

BackgroundAdolescence is a period of gender-specific physical changes, during which eating habits develop. To better understand what factors determine unhealthy eating habits such as dieting to lose weight, skipping meals, and consumption of unhealthy foods, we studied how physical measurements and body perception relate to eating habits in boys and girls, before and during adolescence.MethodsFor this cross-sectional study, we obtained data from both written questionnaires and physical measurements of height, weight, and waist circumference (WC).ResultsDieting to lose weight and skipping breakfast were more common among adolescents than among younger boys and girls (p<0.05). The strongest risk factor for dieting in both boys and girls was perception of overweight, which persisted after adjusting for age and for being overweight (p<0.01). Another independent risk factor for dieting behaviour was overweight, as defined by body mass index (BMI) among boys (p<0.01) and WC among girls (p<0.05). In both boys and girls, skipping breakfast was associated with both a more negative body perception and higher BMI (p<0.05). Skipping breakfast was also associated with age- and gender-specific unhealthy eating habits such as skipping other meals, lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, and higher consumption of sweets and sugary drinks (p<0.05).ConclusionBody perception among adolescents is an important factor relating to unhealthy eating habits, not only in girls, but even in boys. Focus on body perception and eating breakfast daily is crucial for the development of healthy food consumption behaviours during adolescence and tracking into adulthood.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MENSTRUAL CYCLE CHARACTERISTICS AND PERCEIVED BODY IMAGE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF POLISH FEMALE ADOLESCENTS.

The increasing prevalence of negative body perceptions among adolescent girls and the tendency towards wishing to be thinner have become a cultural norm in Western culture. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to developing a negative body image due to physical and sexual changes occurring during puberty. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different measures of body image perceptions and different phases of the menstrual cycle after controlling for weight status and other potential confounders in Polish adolescent girls aged 12-18 years. Three-hundred and thirty participants of a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009, normally cycling and with no eating disorders, completed a background questionnaire and the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, and their anthropometric measurements were collected. The dependent outcome variables were measures of body image (actual body image, ideal body image and ideal-self discrepancy) and dichotomous body image perception (satisfied versus dissatisfied) adjusted for other predictor factors: socio-demographic variables, menstrual history and cycle phases, and weight status. One-way ANOVA indicated that weight status, age at menarche and menstrual cycle phase were associated with actual body image and rate of ideal-self discrepancy. Ideal body image was associated with weight status and menstrual cycle phase. General logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate associations of body dissatisfaction and all potential predictor variables. The final selected model of the multiple logistic regression analysis using the backward elimination procedure revealed that adjusted for other factors, negative body image was significantly associated with different phases of the menstrual cycle (p trend=0.033) and increasing body weight status (p trend=0.0007). The likelihood of body dissatisfaction was greatest during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.06, 5.32) and among girls in obesity class I (OR=8.04; 95% CI 2.37, 27.26). The study confirmed the association between body image dissatisfaction in adolescent girls and different phases of the menstrual cycle after controlling for weight status. The issue of negative body self-image is not only of cognitive, but also of practical value as understanding better the factors contributing to the formation of a negative body image may be instrumental in developing preventive health programmes targeted at young people.

Weight status and body image perceptions in adolescents: current perspectives.

Adolescence represents a pivotal stage in the development of positive or negative body image. Many influences exist during the teen years including transitions (eg, puberty) that affect one’s body shape, weight status, and appearance. Weight status exists along a spectrum between being obese (ie, where one’s body weight is in the 95th percentile for age and gender) to being underweight. Salient influences on body image include the media, which can target adolescents, and peers who help shape beliefs about the perceived body ideal. Internalization of and pressures to conform to these socially prescribed body ideals help to explain associations between weight status and body image. The concepts of fat talk and weight-related bullying during adolescence greatly contribute to an overemphasis on body weight and appearance as well as the development of negative body perceptions and dissatisfaction surrounding specific body parts. This article provides an overview of the significance of adolescent development in shaping body image, the relationship between body image and adolescent weight status, and the consequences of having a negative body image during adolescence (ie, disordered eating, eating disorders, and dysfunctional exercise). Practical implications for promoting a healthy weight status and positive body image among adolescents will be discussed.

Counteracting Media's Thin-Body Ideal for Adolescent Girls: Informing Is More Effective Than Warning

The present study investigated whether information or warnings about depictions of the thin-body ideal in mass media are effective in counteracting media-induced negative body perceptions of adolescent girls. Based on counter-advertising and reactance theories, our hypotheses were tested in a 3 (weight labels: information vs. warning vs. no label) × 2 (media models' body shape: thin vs. normal weight) × 2 (self-esteem: lower vs. higher) design (N = 178). Body dissatisfaction, objectified body consciousness, and body comparison with media models served as dependent variables. Pretested media models were systematically combined with various textual weight labels and presented on the front page of a magazine targeted toward girls. The results indicated that a simple information label that provided the weight status of thin media models induced less negative body perceptions in adolescent girls when compared with the use of warning labels or images only. Especially, girls with lower self-esteem then exhibited lower levels of body dissatisfaction and objectified body consciousness. When compared with exposure to images only, the warning labels had little effect on body perceptions by adolescent girls. Thus, informing is more effective than warning in counteracting the undesired effects of the thin-body ideal promoted by the media.