Mackenzie Dugan

English 4
11 December 2015
Medias Impact on Body Image
Looking in the mirror may hold a mix of emotions for a woman. If a healthy, happylooking figure is shown in the media, a viewer will be more inclined to have a positive view of
herself. Women should look in the mirror and think, I am beautiful. Positive minds tend to
cause positive inner self-image. Media, the main means of mass communication, is what this
centurys women turn to for guidance in all areas of life, specifically body image. This
communication has positively transformed the idea of body image. All shapes and sizes are now
accepted and cherished. This representation includes factors other than body shape such as
clothing, makeup, and hairstyles. Certain clothing styles that a woman is comfortable in may
allow her to view herself as the beautiful woman that she is. The best images of a body have
revolutionized from what was once a size twelve, to a size zero, and now become a healthy
medium of the two. Positive body image portrayal has increased in popularity in todays culture.
Fashionable is no longer defined as obese and underweight, so where is the happy medium?
Curves and good muscle tone are the current, trending styles in body image. Webster Dictionary
defines an idol as a person who is greatly admired, loved, or revered. Media idols are the
leading factor in a womans choice of how to present herself. A woman has two options: to see
herself in a positive light, or in a negative light, falsely representing the world of women
mirrored from those idols. Media reinforces womens positive body image through clothing
styles, celebrity influences, and social media methods.
It has been known that average weight goes hand in hand with popular fashion transitions
in todays culture. Beauty and fashion relate to each other as the trend in beauty projects has
increased. Along with fashion trends, beauty trends have changed throughout history. This
includes things such as projects to allow women to feel more confident. Up until the 1950s,

women consulted style trends from Hollywood for their own looks. This has now become the job
of many fashion designers. Over the years, there have been many fads varying from simple and
comfortable to what was popular; which included jersey jumpers and tailored suits. Looks
from the wars and international influences have also transformed throughout the past century.
Women in the 1950s were housewives and cooks which required leisurely clothing. This affected
womens views of their bodies and what they could and could not wear. They were not able to
express themselves through clothing because they wore unflattering clothing. The first designers,
such as Anne Klein and Claire McCardell, were acknowledged in the article, American
Designers Dominate Fashion in 1950s, 1950-1959, from the academic journal, Discovering
U.S. History, The American designers of the American look were considered trend-setting
revolutionaries. The designers previously mentioned who decided to create clothing styles
started a revolution for fashion. The Selfridges Beauty Project is a social event that is held in
different fashion and cosmetic salons to host debates about body image and the history of beauty.
This six week project consists of talks, debates, and beauty experiences. In the article Beauty
Notebook, Kate Shapland, a weekly columnist for Telegraph Magazine, introduces the theme of
the project, many argue that our perception of beauty has now metamorphosed into a standard
further from reality than ever. Sources mentioned later, such as Parham and Newman, have
agreed to important the role of the media on fashion relating to body image. Body image and
fashion go hand in hand as their changes are proven to effect women throughout history.
Womens place in history has transformed an immense amount since the early ages. Women
gained voting and working rights, independence and leadership, and now are the leading persons
to represent individuality, in fashion and body image. Women are the most promotional idols for

one another; therefore, their influences throughout history have positively affected body image
and fashion.
Many celebrity idols throughout history have had a major impact on womens confidence
and how they perceive themselves. An idol is someone that a person strives to be similar;
therefore a woman is more inclined to be positively affected by celebrities. Marilyn Monroe is a
1950s idol that women aimed to look like. Everyone wanted to look like her, a size twelve. Even
though some models in magazines currently are unrealistically thin, Demi Lovato, Meghan
Trainor, Melissa McCarthy and Adele are only a few of the current idols promoting positive body
image. All four of these women are different sizes but have demonstrated positive body image
through their songs and messages. These celebrities acknowledge average women by stating the
importance of maintaining healthy bodies, and most of all: happiness within themselves. These
women mention that it is fashionable to be average or above average weight and still be
beautiful. Meghan Trainor, an American singer-songwriter, sings in her song, Yeah its pretty
clear I aint no size 2. But I can shake it, shake it, like Im supposed to do (qtd. in As Plus Size
Fashion). Meghan Trainor says it is okay to not be the thinnest size because she is healthy and
her body is the way it is supposed to be. Full Beauty, known as the premier fashion destination
for sizes 12 and up, has reached out to Meghan Trainor in promoting the benefits of confidence
to women. Full Beauty says it, isnt just a place to shop, its an empowerment community of
women who are confident, assured, and defining themselves in more ways than one (Full
Beauty 1). Meghan Trainors promotion of the plus-size market has helped other women to be
inspired as well. The plus size market gaining in popularity has spread uplifting messages to
many women today. This causes a chain reaction; by seeing a curvy celebrity pronounce how
happy she is with herself will allow a woman to feel like she can be proud of her body. Many red
carpet events and interviews with these idols have allowed women to have a better image of

themselves. It is shown in many studies such as by Full Beauty that by seeing a confident
celebrity, no matter what size and shape, a womans self-representation immediately boosts. This
immediate boost is a natural instinct feeling to all women, no matter what age. By having the
four women, as well as many more, mentioned as candidates promoting positive body image, a
woman is more apt to have a positive mentality.
Downgrading negative messages about body image presented in the media affect an
individual and how they perceive themselves. In the article, Body Image, from the academic
journal, World of Health, it states, Body image refers to the perception of ones own body, based
chiefly in comparison to socially constructed standards or ideals (1). A woman may look in the
mirror and see a different version than what the rest of the world sees. Having a distorted body
image affects a person psychologically and can lead to eating disorders, self-harm, and violence.
These affects are predominant in females and have become an emergent issue with each new
generation. Striving for perfection presented in magazines often causes a person to seek out their
flaws and adhere themselves in unhealthy ways. Unrealistic depictions, such as certain height
and weight, are shown by ultra-thin models and may cause a woman to have a negative
perception of herself. The negative attention shown by other celebrities in the media causes fans
to act in similar behaviors; this extends further beyond the topic of body image. Models walking
down the runways who have no curves and not an ounce of fat on them cause a woman to look at
herself and point out her flaws. One may ask, Why do I not look like her? Disapproval in the
media of being normal weight has seemed to become part of the norm of society. In the article,
Promoting Body Size Acceptance in Weight Management Counseling written by Ellen Parham,
coordinator of dietetics of the American Dietetic Association, talks specifically about the goals of
the American Dietetic Associations position on weight management relating to body image and
a positive mind set. A general idea about Parhams position on body image states, The

association between ones feelings about ones body and the actual size and shape of ones body
is limited. Many people view body image as a negative entity in our society today. Parham says,
Body dissatisfaction is related to body image disturbance, which is one aspect of serious mental
disorders, especially eating disorders. Having unrealistic views of what they should look like,
women may develop disorders or negative thoughts. Influences of the media draw this attention
into a negative direction. Self-expression through media benefits women but has been shown to
occasionally do the opposite.
Although representations from the media have been shown to negatively affect women in
history, media is currently doing better at positively affecting women. Major current events have
altered the media into a world of positive light regarding body image. By having average-weight
models representing a company, media influences this by presenting truly healthy meal plans
rather than diets. Once again, actors or singers come into the category of average weight models
along with clothing companies representing plus-size models. Due to media, it is no longer a
necessity to be a size zero. Promotional ads and magazine articles tend to endorse the idea that
healthy bodies are beautiful and unique. Author of Internalization of Ultra-Thin Ideal, Amy L.
Ahern and Kate M. Bennett from The University of Oxford and Marion M. Hetherington from
Glasgow Caledonian University say, Participants found it easier to make implicit associations
between normal weight and positive attributes and underweight models and negative attributes
(Ahern, Bennett, and Hetherington 301). Women who see normal weight models are more
inclined to be happy with their own style choices and body image. Ellen Parham says:
Size acceptance involves changing one's interpretation of the importance and meaning of
body size, but even more importantly it means expanding one's body experience to
include aspects other than size. Body acceptance is a matter of recognizing the strengths,
beauty, and abilities of one's body even while dispassionately recognizing the

weaknesses, unattractive features, and awkwardnesses. It involves expanding one's

perceptions to go beyond the weaknesses into the whole experience of one's body.
Parham clearly incorporates the meaning of true beauty, which is something many women in
todays society miss. Unedited images encourage positive body image versus fake
representations being presented in the media. Real happiness that the media presents allows
women of any size to reach out and find their true confidence. It is essential for the media to
have a strong, positive influence, specifically when relating to women. The media has immensely
improved their methods to promote confidence in todays world.
In the media today, business promotional ideas reach a larger audience. Torrid is a
womens retail chain that, along with other brands, has positively affected women in the media.
For the market Torrid has created, a plus size market, fashion psychologically benefits women.
With Torrid being the fastest growing fashion retailer in the USA, this campaign has a huge
impact on the rest of the world. This company uniquely focuses on one woman at a time,
learning her story and then advocates her positive self-image on Torrid advertisements. One of
the women, Kia from La Verne, CA, says, Torrids clothes make me feel beautiful and fierce.
This experience has been amazing (qtd in Torrid 1). Not only is this good advertisement for
the company itself, but also a good way to make these women feel confident. This shows other
normal women how to feel confident and let clothing benefit them. Having an experience such as
this allows women to express themselves in clothing and learn to love how they look in it. In an
interview on Morning Edition, Cohen mentions, The industry has done a disservice to
themselves by not offering some of those great choices for the plus-sized consumer (qtd. in As
Plus Size Fashion). The plus size market is becoming more popular and appealing to the media.
It is very important for companies to have a strong, optimistic presence in the media. Anjali
Ganju, worker at Jack BB Dakota, a popular clothing brand, says, Brands and good clothing

companies, in order to be a valid business, need to have assurance of the world. Jack BB Dakota
works with fashion bloggers, US Weekly, and other magazines to promote their business.
Although this may not be a big-name fashion brand, there is a strong presence in the media for
them as well. New promotional ideas, such as Jack BB Dakota and Torrid, are being created
every day to allow for better business.
Businesses strive to use popular methods in order to attract more buyers, such as
advertisements and using persons as promotional characters. If a certain brand only advertises for
small sizes, they will not be successful. There are a variety of different techniques they use to do
this. Dove is known as one of the most popular companies to use positivity, such as uplifting
messages and natural beauty, to promote their company. Adam Newman, journalist in the New
York Times, wrote In Criticizing Rival Products, A Dove Campaign Is Called Unfair and said
that, Dove has been widely lauded for its latest advertising effort, an online video with a
forensic sketch artist that compares the negative self-image some women have with the more
complimentary impressions of strangers (Newman 1). It is important for businesses to be known
for their positive reinforcement toward the sellers or viewers. Healthy advertisements appeal to
buyers, which will then have a chain effect by word of mouth. Lauren Conrad is a well- known
red carpet designer and fashionista who not only writes about fashion, but the psychology behind
it. Many people are afraid of expressing themselves. In Conrads book Style, she shares an
insight when she says, I learned to stop thinking about a garment on the rack as an almost
sacred, untouchable thing (94). She gives tips to style inspiration and how she finds her
inspiration. Commonly body image and fashion go hand in hand. Conrad intertwines confidence
into her books. It is a strategic method for designers to promote their clothing with positive selfimage. The most successful brands are those that attract buyers of all shapes and sizes. The

methods of business to incorporate positive body image are attractive to all women and will
ultimately benefit the women and the company that is being presented.
In a world full of constant communication, dings of texts, and clicks of buttons, the media
has been able to work and spread positive body image. Social media is one of the most common
sources of entertainment in the twentieth century. Feedback from magazines, newspapers, and
articles help spread positivity, including blog posts, YouTube videos, and unedited pictures.
Different social media sources such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and a few others have
allowed people to post and comment about body image. As influential as media is, media
significantly affects women psychologically and will control how they feel about their looks.
This affect is proven in, The popularity of technology, particularly social media, had an
enormous effect on the fashion world (Moving Faster). This new millennium is strongly
influenced by technology and in this case, is used to its advantage. A person opens their phone
and sees an uplifting message to make herself feel better and she will instantly have a better day.
This positivity has a strong influence of the media on this new millennium. Clothing companies
use social media as a powerful tool to attract buyers. It is said that, The fashion industry began
by using one-way communication on the Internet in an effort to create this experience by
advertising and publishing blogs and articles discussing its designs (Moving Faster). Having
an audience at their feet, designers use social media in order to reach potential large amounts of
business. Many businesses have begun to hire promotional persons to spread the message of their
company. For example, a clothing line may hire a blogger to promote their clothing, with the use
of social media. There are many well-known Instagram accounts and blogs that are created for
the sole purpose to promote a certain clothing company. These accounts reach a massive
audience by receiving a large amount of followers and model clothing from the given brand.
Emma Halliwell, studying at the University of West of England, writes in The British Journal of

Health Psychology examining a study that was taken by the university to test how a short media
literacy message can reduce negative media exposure amongst adolescent girls. The university
presented a positive video on the media to a group of adolescent girls. The results found, the
benefits of brief media literacy interventions are applicable to adolescent, as well as adult
women The findings suggest that young girls would benefit from watching this easily
accessible, brief video (Halliwell, Easun, and Harcourt 402). The media, specifically social
media, is essential when promoting positive body image through a company.
Media uses methods through celebrities and clothing trends to promote positive body
image to women. Clothing trends have reformed to fit every shape and size. It is a predominant
part of society to make sure clothing is designed to fit overweight women too. Clothing designers
have improved their selling methods in order to attract more customers by having plus-size
models and ads. Celebrities have taken personal matters into their own hands and spoken in order
to promote positive body image. Plus size celebrities have incorporated positive body image into
their songs and world-wide messages. Mirror reflections have done a better job at making
women feel positive about themselves rather than unhappy. This happiness is due to the fact that
the media has improved ways to promote confidence to women. Media is one of the most
powerful resources in todays world and aims to successfully share positive body image to all
women. Due to the medias strong presence, this may have the reverse effect on women to
become dissatisfied with themselves. Ultimately, it is about a womans character, versus what
flaws the mirrors point out. Women who have a positive mind set are inclined to feel better on
the outside. The medias strong presence has improved positive body image.

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