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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Media-portrayed idealized images, self-objectification, and eating behavior
1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. fmonro@psy.unsw.edu.au
Eating Behaviors
|October 24, 2006
Summary
Exposure to idealized media images impacts young women's eating habits. High self-objectifiers consumed more food when idealized bodies were present, while low self-objectifiers ate less, revealing complex effects on food intake.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Media-portrayed idealized images are prevalent and may influence viewers' behaviors.
- Self-objectification, the tendency to view oneself as an object, is common among young women.
- Understanding the interplay between media exposure, self-objectification, and eating behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of media-portrayed idealized images on the eating behavior of young women.
- To compare these effects between individuals with high and low levels of self-objectification.
- To explore the moderating role of dietary restraint status.
Main Methods:
- An experimental design involving 72 female university students.
- Exposure to magazine advertisements with and without idealized female bodies (experimental vs. control conditions).
- Assessment of eating behavior via a taste test (sweet and savory foods) and measurement of self-objectification and restraint status.
Main Results:
- No overall difference in total food intake between conditions (body present vs. absent).
- Significant interaction effects observed: high self-objectifiers ate more sweet food when idealized bodies were present, whereas low self-objectifiers ate less.
- Dietary restraint status did not moderate the relationship between idealized image exposure and food consumption.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to media-portrayed idealized images can alter eating behavior in complex ways, particularly for individuals with varying self-objectification levels.
- The findings highlight the nuanced relationship between idealized imagery, self-perception, and food consumption patterns.
- Implications for the prevention of dieting-related disorders and the promotion of healthier media consumption habits are discussed.
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