Effects of exposure to thin media images, evidence of self-enhancement among restrained eaters

grantor: University of TorontoIt is a commonly held belief in the eating disorder literature, as well as in society at large, that the media's focus on slimness contributes to eating pathology. However, previous research on the relation between media exposure and eating disorder symptomatology has produced dramatically mixed findings. The effects of viewing media-portrayed idealized body images on eating behaviour, self-esteem, body image, and mood among restrained and unrestrained eaters were examined in three experimental studies. Study 1 found that restrained eaters (i.e., chronic dieters), but not unrestrained eaters, reported feeling ' thinner' following exposure to slim models. Restrained eaters rated both their ideal and current body sizes as smaller and ate more following exposure to idealized body images. It is suggested that restrained eaters are susceptible to a "thin fantasy" brought about by viewing ideal body images. Study 2 found that strengthening thinness-attainability beliefs further enhanced the "thin fantasy" exhibited by restrained eaters following exposure to idealized body images. It appears that, following exposure to ultra-slim models, restrained eaters feel inspired by such images and experience a shift toward feeling thinner. The perception of thinness as attainable (through dieting) may facilitate inspiration by thin, idealized body images, thus explaining the observed differences between restrained and unrestrained eaters. Study 3 found that after receiving threatening weight-related information from the experimenter, restrained eaters rated their current body size, ideal body size, and the discrepancy between the two measures as smaller. In conclusion, the present set of findings suggests that dieters self-enhance after looking at thin media images due to inspiration. However, there may be other reasons why restrained eaters self-enhance, including defensiveness when negative feedback can be discounted. These results are considered in the context of literature on restraint theory, social comparison, body image, and eating disorders. The complexities of the media's role in the development and maintenance of body dissatisfaction and dieting behaviour are discussed.Ph.D