Date Presented

Spring 5-1-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Health Promotion

First Advisor

N/A

Second Advisor

N/A

Third Advisor

N/A

Abstract

There is evidence of a link between body image and disordered eating among females, and some research that suggests exposure to the media exacerbates both body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. Despite these claims, little research has been done on the effects that exposure to photo-shopped images specifically has on body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. The present study sought to further understand the relationship between cognitive distortions of body image and eating attitudes and to examine the effects that exposure to the thin-ideal found in the media has on body dissatisfaction among college aged women. Eighty female college students answered questions about their body image, eating attitudes and were exposed to photo-shopped images. Other questions assessed preferences of body type. Results yielded a significant correlation between body image cognitive distortions and eating attitudes. Results also indicated that individuals who preferred a body type different than their own were more dissatisfied with their appearance and had higher average body weights. In addition, over 80% of participants indicated an ideal body type that fell into a category that was either underweight or the lowest normal weight.

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