BODY IMAGE RESEARCH PAPER

Body Image Research Paper

Caitlin Briggs
University of Northern Iowa

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Abstract
Body image has been the cause of many discussions around the world. People look to the fashion
world and the media for tips on how to look, how to dress, and how to act. Recent studies have
focused on how the fashion world and the media may have a negative impact on how women and
men view not only themselves, but others as well. Promoting what some may call an unhealthy
and unrealistic body type in magazines, commercials, and advertisements may take a
psychological toll on people and could lead to low self esteem and eating disorders. A number of
studies have been done to provide evidence that using underweight models in fashion shows and
photo shoots has a negative effect on not only them, but the public as well. Some people have
decided to take a stand to make sure all shapes and sizes are featured on runways and
advertisements. A number of Vogue editors world wide have signed a health initiative proposed
by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in order to have a healthy environment for
models are fashion shows and photo shoots. Companies like Dove and Aerie have also decided to
push for healthy body image by showcasing models of all shapes, sizes, races, and ethnicities and
by not retouching any pictures or advertisements featured in magazines or on billboards. It is
important to realize how body image can affect people differently because everyone deserves to
feel good about themselves.

More than ninety-percent of girls aged 15 to 17 want to change at least one aspect of their
physical appearance, with body weight being the top choice (Statistics on Body Image, Self

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Esteem and Parental Influence). This shocking statistic shines a light on the struggle many
people face when trying to have a positive attitude about their body and appearance. For years
the fashion world has dictated what it means to be beautiful. Not only have images of stick thin
models covered the pages of major fashion magazines, the models also strut down the runways
wearing size double zero couture. It was not until recently that any real change was made to
promote models with healthier body types.
At the end of 2015 France introduced a new law that drastically affected the way the
fashion capital of the world promotes beauty and health for all models. According to Vogue, a
bill has been put into effect requiring models to provide a certificate verifying they are at a
healthy weight to work. The bills purpose is to minimize the use of excessively thin models.
The new law also requires images to be labeled touched up if they were in any way altered,
with an extra focus on images that make the silhouette of the model narrower or wider. Isabelle
Saint-Felix, general secretary for Frances model agency unions, said she hopes this new law will
mean the period of too thin models is over (France Passes Model Health Law, 2015). She is
quoted in the article as saying the power lies with the designers, photographers, and editors.
One asks models to fit in a dress-- not the opposite, (France Passes Model Health Law, 2015).
Although it is a good idea to promote a healthy lifestyle, some people may see this new
law as skinny shaming. Many models are naturally born with long, thin limbs and may be
physically incapable of meeting the new laws requirements for what healthy means. Bridget
Malcolm, a Victorias Secret model, took to her Instagram account in an effort to stop the
negativity toward thin bodies and change the conversation to embrace all body types. Can we
STOP with the skinny shaming please? Malcolm wrote. I am extremely fit and healthy and am
not in the slightest way anorexic. Malcolm continued to explain that she has never been the

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curviest woman, but she is still a woman and has the right to feel beautiful and confident
(Schlossberg, 2015). It may becoming more a curse rather than a blessing to be a thin girl in
show business these days. Take a look at songs like All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
where lyrics like Im bringing booty back, go head and tell them skinny bitches that are being
sung by thousands of people. Songs such as these sound like if a woman does not have curves
she is not beautiful.
Body image has been a focus of public discussion for many years. With several
controversies surrounding it, the subject will not be changing anytime soon. However, something
that could change is how people view themselves and others. It is much more effective for the
fashion world to promote all shapes and sizes rather than putting someone down for being too
curvy or shaming someone for being too skinny. Although it can be tough, comparing people to
one another is not going to solve anything. Fashion and media should focus on diversity and
acceptance rather than what is in at the moment. Society becomes too focused on being pretty.
Instead, we should be more interested in being pretty interesting or pretty unique. There is much
more to being beautiful than what is seen by the eye; looks will fade. Being beautiful should be
less about the size of dress you wear and more about being confident with yourself and accepting
of others. While fashion and media are not the only contributors to poor body image and low self
esteem, all body types should be shown in magazines and advertisements because more diversity
will help create a healthier body image which could change societys idea of what the perfect
body looks like.

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Lit Review
The idea of body image and how it negatively or positively affects a person has been
researched and discussed for years. Issues with body image tend to stem from issues in the
fashion world and what is shown by different media outlets. It is important to recognize where
problems with body image come from because these issues could potentially lead to much more
serious problems such as eating disorders and low self esteem. After realizing the major
problems, key players in the fashion industry and the media have decided to become a part of the
solution, not part of the problem. New policies and laws have been put into place to create a
healthier ideal body type to be featured on runways and magazines.

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The importance of being able to identify problems in the fashion industry and how the
media portrays the perfect body type is crucial in preventing eating disorders and low self
esteem. Although too thin models are often shown on runways, it is also important to understand
some people are just born with thin physiques and they should not be condemned for reasons out
of their control (France Passes Model Health Law, 2015).
It is no secret that what is seen on runways and in fashion magazines plays a role in body
image issues. In a letter from the editor, American Vogue editor Anna Wintour wrote how she
was shocked by todays idea of the perfect model. She explains how she was startled to realize
how many of the models Vogue has worked with in the past would be considered too big by
todays standards. Cara Delevingne, a retired supermodel, sat down with Elle magazine to
explain how the fashion industry affected her. Modeling just made me feel a little hollow after
awhile, she stated. It didnt help me grow as a person at all, (Friedman, 2015). Isabelle SaintFelix, head of the French modeling union, states that it is not the models who have a problem
with body image. The power is in the hands of the designers, photographers, and editors. She
continued to say how modeling agencies just respond to what the advertisers, designers, and
photographers put out for the world to see (France Passes Model Health Law, 2015).
Taking a look at how healthy body image is perceived is important because it can have
lasting effects on ones self esteem. According to the National Eating Disorders website, girls
self esteem peaks at nine years old (Get The Facts On Eating Disorders). That means that after
just grade three many young girls start to feel more insecure about themselves and may take
drastic measures to become more confident. The same source found that eighty-one-percent of
ten year olds in America are afraid of being fat (Get The Facts On Eating Disorders). Girls are
not the ones who suffer from body image issues. One study discovered eighty-one-percent of

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boys aged 10 to 17 are using unproven supplements and/or steroids in order to help reach their
ideal body image (Get The Facts On Eating Disorders). With low self esteem often comes eating
disorders. This problem is becoming so prevalent today that some countries have found that proeating disorder websites are taking over the cyber world. A study published by the European
Eating Disorders Review found exposure to pro-eating disorder sites increased body
dissatisfaction and dieting among its readers (Rodgers, Lowy, Halperin, & Franko).
Despite these shocking facts and statistics some editors of magazines are trying to explain
how pictures of thin models are not the only factor in someone developing an eating disorder. In
a letter from the editor, Anna Wintour explains how some people are simply born with slim
figures. The reality is that genetically we are all born with varying shapes and sizes. Less
than 5% of the population can expect to achieve the shape and size media portrays as ideal. She
continued to explain her point of view by saying fashion has often been (wrongly) held up as an
active agent in making women want to be excruciatingly thin, ignoring the complex genetic and
psychosocial factors that contribute to eating disorders, (Wintour, 2012).
Major steps have been taken in order to promote a healthier body image on runways and
in fashion magazines. The Council of Fashion Designers of America, or the CFDA, announced
its new Health Initiative with the support of Vogue and Vogue editors (Wintour, 2012). Vogue is
one of, if not the top, fashion magazine in the world. This is a huge step for the CFDAs agenda.
Eighteen Vogue editors vowed to depict healthy body images in their magazines (Wintour, 2012).
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue, wrote in a letter from the editor that this move
is making a stand with the Health Initiative that signals renewed efforts to make our ideal of
beauty a healthy one, (Wintour, 2012).

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According to the CFDAs official website clear goals have been set to make sure this new
movement in fashion is a lasting one.
The following rules have been put into play: specifying guidelines for a healthier
diet, vowing to identify those vulnerable to eating disorders, establishing minimum age
requirements for models, creating a model-mentorship program, asking that models be
provided with plentiful breaks and access to nutritious food during shoots and shows, no
alcohol and no smoking zone, (Council of Fashion Designers of America Guidelines).

Although it is not the only contributor, unrealistic body image portrayed by the media and
fashion does contribute to eating disorders. When perfectly photoshopped images are plastered
on billboards and magazines it is assumed by society that is how the population should look. In
reality, a very small portion of people are physically capable of obtaining the same figures as
models and celebrities. These unattainable goals could potentially lead to low self esteem or the
development of eating disorders.
Presumably, fashion models are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder, but few
studies have been performed to support this assumption. In a recent study, researchers
interviewed fifty-five models from Italys top modeling agencies to find out if a correlation
between the modeling industry and an increase in eating disorders (or eating disorder symptoms)
actually existed. Each model was asked to bring along two friends not involved in the modeling
industry in order to create a control group of similar ages and backgrounds similar to the
experiment group. After conducting several interviews and extensive questionnaires with both
the experiment and control groups, the results concluded that there is a correlation between the

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modeling industry and eating disorders and symptoms. However, the modeling industry did not
just influence the models, the control group answered similarly. Ten out of the fifty-five models
and eight out of the 110 controls reported restricted eating in the last three days. Both groups also
reported a strong feeling of guilt after eating. The biggest difference in answers came when
subjects were asked about bulimic tendencies. Sixty-percent of the models reported experiencing
bulimic episodes in the past three months as opposed to thirty-percent of the control group (Preti,
Usai, Miotto, Pretretto, & Masala, 2008).
In a tell all interview, Cleo Glyde, a former fashion model and Marie Claire style editor,
described her struggle with an eating disorder and her 11 grape diet. She explains how
although different styles and fashion trends changed from season to season, one thing that
remained the same during her time as a model was the fact that all models had to fit this body
ideal that was way taller and thinner than the average. Food deprivation became a badge of
honor, Glyde said. Models dieted together and shared stories of how they kept their double zero
figures. Eating disorders are a very real problem in the modeling industry, but Glyde does
acknowledge that some people are just dealt the naturally thin card and do not have to go to
extremes to keep themselves at a low weight ("My 11-Grape Diet": A Model Confesses. 2007).
The media plays a role in portraying an unrealistic body ideal as well. Ronda Rousey,
Olympic judo medalist, told the New York Times about a time she felt personally victimized by a
company who wanted to feature her in an advertisement. Rousey explains how she purposely
went into the shoot weighing heavier than she was expected to because someone had previously
made a rude comment about her weight. The strong and muscular fighter has posed for
publications such as Sports Illustrated and Maxim in hopes of representing a body type that is not
always showcased by the media (Marikar, S. 2015).

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The unattainable body goals that are presented by magazines, fashion runways, and other
media outlets may help contribute to low self esteem and eating disorders. One may assume the
photoshopped pictures of models and celebrities on billboards and magazine covers are what
society should aspire to look like. In reality, everyone has their own shape and size and society
should be showcasing that. Body acceptance and body confidence can be achieved with the
cooperation of the media and fashion world.
When it comes to unrealistic body image the media has the power to change societys
opinion. As head of Frances modeling union, Isabelle Saint-Felix, said the power lies with
advertisers and designers (Vogue). Advertisements do not have to feature twig thin models, but
they do. Designers do not have to make size 00 the norm, but they do. Adding more diversity
onto runway shows and on advertisements may help change societys warped viewpoint.
Earlier in the semester I conducted a survey and the results were clear about the role the
media plays in body image issues. In one question I asked what played the biggest factor in
someone being insecure about their body. Seventy-five-percent of the responses said the media
was the problem. In another question I asked how important it was for the media to promote all
different types of shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. Once again, seventy-five-percent said it was very
important. The results of my survey were not shocking to me. They just confirmed what I already
believed and that is if the media would showcase different body types the rest of society may
become more accepting as well.
The standard of beauty mass media publicizes is almost completely unattainable for most
women (Female Body Image and Mass Media). Researchers have called womens concerns
about their physical appearance normative discontent implying body dissatisfaction affects
nearly all women at some level (Female Body Image and Mass Media). Much of this

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discontentment stems from comparing oneself with what is shown by the media. It seems as
though the mindset that someone can never be too rich or too thin has taken over society.
Today the average size of women has become larger while the ideal size for a supermodel has
become smaller (Female Body Image and Mass Media). This creates a morphed opinion that
thinner is better when it comes to reaching the ideal body goal.
A 2002 study performed by Groesz stated the medias idea of the perfect body had a
small to moderate effect on a womans self esteem (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde). To further support
the findings of the 2002 study, a team in 2008 created a study using findings from not just one
but 141 experiments. The results found in 2008 created an even more obvious link between mass
media and how women view their own body (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde). Not only was there a
greater link between media and body dissatisfaction, this analysis showed a link between the
media and the increase in eating disorder behaviors (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde).
Based on my survey results and different studies that have been conducted over the years
it is obvious the media plays a role in body image issues and what society views as the ideal
body type. If the media accepted more diversity in the fashion world society would probably
follow and become more accepting of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. Although a lot of power
may lie with advertisers and designers, it is important for people to accept the body type that may
be featured in magazines and on runways is not the only body type that is beautiful.
It is important to showcase all shapes and sizes through media outlets to promote body
acceptance and confidence. Companies like Dove have taken the first steps in promoting
different shapes, sizes, races, and ethnicities in their ad campaigns. According to Doves website,
this new push for more variety in their ads came about after a study showed the popular
definition of beauty had become limiting and unattainable (The Dove Campaign for Real

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Beauty). The campaign was launched in 2004 and by 2006 Dove was advertising real women
with real curves on their billboards and commercials. Dove revisited this issue again in 2011 and
found some shocking statistics. In a study performed with 1,200 girls aged ten to seventeen the
majority (about seventy-two-percent) said they felt tremendous pressure to be beautiful while
only about eleven-percent thought they attained their beauty goal (The Dove Campaign for Real
Beauty).
Dove is not the only company promoting body positivity. Aerie, American Eagles sister
store, is jumping on board as well. The popular clothing store took a stand against societal norms
and decided to stop retouching ads (Aerie Real). Models featured on billboards and magazine
spreads are not retouched. Aeries Real campaign encourages models and consumers to be
comfortable and confident in their own skin. By not retouching photos, the company is hoping
for people to start loving their real selves, inside and out (Aerie Real). In a 2014 interview with
ABC News, Jenny Altman, Aeries style and fit expert, emphasized that photo editors leave every
last mark on the models. Weve left everything, Altman said. Weve left beauty marks, weve
left tattoos (McCane, L). This is most definitely a step in the right direction and the decision
seems to be paying off. According to Quartz, Aeries sales are up nine-percent compared to the
same quarter last year (American Eagle Stopped Airbrushing Lingerie Models, And Sales Are
Up). Aeries Real campaign may be making real change in the fashion industry.
When looking at media portrayal of body image and body positivity, it is important to
question how people feel about themselves. Do you often find yourself comparing your body to
that of the models featured in ads? Are you happy with what you see when you look in the
mirror? In what ways do you take care of your body to stay healthy? These are very simply
questions that could be very difficult to answer and that is okay. Body positivity is not about

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wanting to look like someone else, or starving yourself to reach your ideal weight. It is more
about accepting the body you were given and treating it with the utmost respect and care.
While fashion and media are not the only contributors to poor body image and low self
esteem, all body types should be shown in magazines and advertisements because more diversity
will help create a healthier body image which could change societys idea of what the perfect
body looks like. Being beautiful is way more than skin deep. It is about the size of your heart, not
the size of your dress. Society has become too wrapped up in being pretty, but maybe there
should be a bigger focus on being pretty smart and pretty nice. In more recent years big changes
have taken place in the fashion world and the media.
Laws have been passed that require models to weigh a certain amount in order to be
eligible to walk to the runway. This new health initiative was passed in France, also known as the
fashion capital of the world, in order to promote a healthy body type and hopefully prevent
models from developing low self-esteem and eating disorders. Policies like this are not meant to
shame models who are naturally thin, but meant to show people they do not have to be one
certain body type. It is no secret that the media and fashion world have a lot of the power when it
comes to how promoting (or shaming) certain body types and it is time they took their job a little
more seriously.
For many years, body image has been public discussion and that probably will not be
changing any time soon. What is important is to change the discussion so it has a more positive
tone. No one should feel insecure about not being a double zero and no one should be shamed for
being born with a naturally thin physique. As Ellen Degeneres once said, to me, beauty is about
being comfortable in your own skin. It is about knowing and accepting who you are. That is
what the media needs to be focusing on. Comparing others and pitting one person against another

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needs to stop. You will never look like someone else and they will never look like you and that is
awesome. The world would be so boring if we all looked the same. People need to be focused on
living as healthy and as happy as possible because that will lead to body acceptance and
confidence. Once people accept themselves for who they are they will be more confident in their
own skin and what could be more beautiful than that?

References

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Statistics on Body Image, Self Esteem & Parental Influence. Heart of Leadership. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 08, 2016 from
France Passes Model Health Law. Vogue (2015, December 21). Retrieved February 08, 2016
Schlossberg, M. (2015, November 19). Victoria's Secret model wants people to stop 'skinny
shaming' Retrieved February 08, 2016
Marikar, S. (2015). Ronda Rouseys Next Fight: Body Image in Hollywood. New York Times
Retrieved February 18, 2016
Female Body Image and the Mass Media: Perspectives on How Women Internalize the Ideal
Beauty Standard. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2016
Body image | About-Face. (2011). Retrieved February 18, 2016,
Get The Facts On Eating Disorders. National Eating Disorders (n.d.). Retrieved February 18,
2016
Rodgers, R., Lowy, A., Halperin, D., & Franko, D. (n.d.). A Meta-Analysis Examining the
Influence of Pro-Eating Disorder Websites on Body Image and Eating Pathology. Retrieved April
26, 2016
Self-Esteem and Body Image. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2016,
Friedman, M. (2015). Cara Delevingne Says the Modeling Industry Gave Her Major Body Image
Issues. Elle Magazine Retrieved February 18, 2016,
Wintour, A. (n.d.). Taking a Stand: International Vogue Editors Join Forces to Support the
CFDAs Health Initiative. Vogue Retrieved February 18, 2016
Council of Fashion Designers of America Health Initiative Guidelines. (n.d.). CFDA Health
Initiative. Retrieved February 18, 2016
Preti, A., Usai, A., Miotto, P., Petretto, D. R., & Masala, C. (2008). Eating disorders among
professional fashion models. Psychiatry Research, 159(1-2), 86-94.
"My 11-Grape Diet": A Model Confesses. Marie Claire Magazine (2007). Retrieved February 18,
2016

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"The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty." The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. Web. 29 Mar.
2016.
McCane, L. (2016). American Eagle Uses Curvy Models For 'Aerie Real' Campaign, Sales And
Shares Rise.
"American Eagle Stopped Airbrushing Lingerie Models, and Sales Are up." Quartz. Web. 29
Mar. 2016.