[ Media, Body Image and Eating]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

Despite the fact that eating disorders (EDs) and their subclinical variants are important health concerns, very little research has examined eating pathology and body image, including the factors that may contribute to their development, in many countries around the world. Based on the role of media which is effectively played in convincing the adolescent girls in portraying an unrealistic body image and thus, leading them into health disorders. This thesis comprises four studies that aimed to identify the factors that may interact with different parts of this model to predict eating pathology. As part of each study, the cross- cultural validity of the assessment measures used was also examined. Across all four studies, the prevalence rates of eating pathology and associated pathology were also studied. Participants were assessed on eating pathology, body dissatisfaction, negative effects, perfectionism, self-esteem, teasing and perceived socio cultural pressure. This study further aims to present suggestions, at the end of the study, regarding the eating disorders and the effects of media on the adolescent females.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Background1

1.2 Objectives of Research2

1.3 Learning Process2

1.4 Purpose of the Study2

1.5 Problem Statement3

1.6 Research Questions3

1.7 Significance of the study4

1.8 Layout of the Report4

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW6

2.1 Body Image6

2.2 Eating Disorder7

2.3 Media7

2.4 Impact of Media on the Body Image8

2.5 Advertising and body image8

2.6 Dieting & nutrition and body image10

2.7 Motives for social comparison12

2.8 Social comparison theory pertaining to body image13

2.9 Relationship between Media Use and Body Image18

2.9 Magazine readership and body image21

2.10 Media Use and Desired Body Size30

2.11 Eating Disorders31

2.12 Body dissatisfaction and eating pathology34

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY39

3.1 Introduction39

3.2 Research objective39

3.3 Research approach39

3.4 Research design40

3.5 Data Collection Method41

3.6 Sampling41

3.7 Sampling Limitation42

CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS43

4.1 Introduction43

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION45

5.1 Conclusion of study45

REFERENCES46

Chapter 1: Introduction

The main aim of this chapter is to introduce the research topic, background of the effects that media has imposed on the men and women, especially on adolescent females, who have become the ultimate victims of the peer pressure and media-related facts. They have become more conscious regarding their body image, apparent outlook of the personality and their fitness and figure. In the recent years, there existed eating disorders which have been observed in the young college women for the reason that the higher percentage of the girls has experienced disorders in the eating patterns and dissatisfaction with the body image. Such issues have now been emerging for a long time in the younger population. The clinicians are also becoming increasingly aware that children as the younger and adolescent population of the modern generation of ...