Media Exposure and the Subsequent Effects on Body Dissatisfaction, Disordered Eating, and Drive for Thinness: A Review of the Current Research

Over the past four decades, the prevalence of eating disorders in the United States has doubled. Not surprisingly, during the same period, mass media has increasingly progressively thinner representations of the female body. Previous psychological research has found small to moderate positive relationships between media exposure and eating disorder symptomatology. This literature review expands on prior studies by looking at the role social comparison and cultivation theories play in media’s impact on body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and disordered eating. It also examines specific personal qualities and types of media that may strengthen or weaken this relationship. Limitations to be addressed in future work are also discussed.