Media representations of female body images in women's magazines

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this content analysis research study was to ascertain how undergraduate female coders would rank the female body images presented in women's fashion, health, and fashion and health-related magazines viewed most often by female undergraduate students as listed in Simmons Market Research Bureau (2003). Samples of the photographic images presented in the 12 women's magazines for June 2005 and samples of the archived 1995 and 2000 issues of these 12 magazines were evaluated by the coders. Furthermore, samples of the photographic images presented in three May and three June 1950 magazines were also evaluated by the coders. The research study showed what percentage of media representations of female body images in these women's magazines were perceived by female undergraduate coders to be thin, average, and obese.

Findings and Conclusions: Overall, the research study established that thin media images were the most common female body images represented in the photographic content of the women's magazines viewed most often by female undergraduate students as listed in Simmons Market Research Bureau (2003). The study discovered that thin fashion models and celebrities continued to be used as the primary photographic representations presented as role models in women's magazines during June 2005. The study further determined that the female body images presented in the media became significantly thinner between 1995 and 2005 and between 1950 and 2005.