MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    The effect of viewing fitness imagery on body dissatisfaction: sex and physical activity differences


    Rothwell, Conor and Desmond, Deirdre (2018) The effect of viewing fitness imagery on body dissatisfaction: sex and physical activity differences. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23 (8). pp. 980-986. ISSN 1354-8506

    [thumbnail of DD_psychology_the effect.pdf]
    Preview
    Text
    DD_psychology_the effect.pdf

    Download (793kB) | Preview

    Abstract

    Exposure to cultural bodily ideals featuring thinness and muscularity can have deleterious effects on body satisfaction. The current study explores the effect of exposure to such imagery on body dissatisfaction and the influence of internalisation of cultural and athletic ideals. 188 (97 male) adults (18–25yrs; M = 20.97) were grouped according to a 2 × 2 × 2 mixed between-within subjects design (male/female; high/low physical activity; intervention/control). Participants were exposed to images of idealised physiques or neutral images. Internalisation-general, sex, physical activity levels, and Body Mass Index were associated with baseline levels of body dissatisfaction. Internalisation of cultural ideals appears to be an important factor for the prediction of body dissatisfaction. Exposure to idealised images resulted in increases in body dissatisfaction across all groups compared to controls. Neither sex nor physical activity levels buffer young adults from the negative effects of viewing images featuring idealised bodies.
    Item Type: Article
    Additional Information: Cite as: Conor J. Rothwell & Deirdre Desmond (2018) The effect of viewing fitness imagery on body dissatisfaction: sex and physical activity differences, Psychology, Health & Medicine, 23:8, 980-986, DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1442009
    Keywords: Body dissatisfaction; idealised images; internalisation; fitness images;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
    Item ID: 13103
    Identification Number: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1442009
    Depositing User: Dr. Deirdre Desmond
    Date Deposited: 24 Jun 2020 16:49
    Journal or Publication Title: Psychology, Health and Medicine
    Publisher: Taylor & Francis
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/13103
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads