ABSTRACT

The mass media present a narrowly defined body type ideal (e.g., Brumberg, 1997; Fouts & Burggraf, 1999). For females, this ideal is slender and toned; for males, it is slim and muscular. Although the current emphases the media place on weight control and muscle development help to promote a more health-conscious society, negative impacts, such as body dissatisfaction, preoccupation with attaining a certain body type ideal, and eating disorders, have emerged as well. In the United States, people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their bodies: A 1993 national survey of women between the ages of 18 and 70 showed that nearly 50% negatively evaluated their appearance and reported concern about being or becoming overweight (Cash & Henry, 1995). In a similar study conducted in 1985 (Cash, Winstead, & Janda, 1986), just 30% reported such concerns.