Whether or Not Television’s Depiction of Female Body Image Encourages Eating Disorders in Young Women

Abstract

This research study seeks to answer the question of whether or not televisions advertisements’ depictions of female body image influences eating disorders in the young women who view such advertisements. The role of the cognitive processes social comparison theory and thin-ideal internalization was also explored as mediators in this relationship, as well as the efficiency of various programs aimed at correcting the problem of eating disorders in young women. Results were obtained by coding and observing the advertisements of various television programs popular among such a demographic. Messages encouraging thinness were recorded, as well as the percentage of thin actresses viewed. After analyzing the results and reviewing recent research on the problem, the conclusion was made there is likely a relationship between eating disorders and the depiction of the thin-ideal in advertising, however such a relationship is largely dependent on the female viewer herself, andmany other factors.