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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Barbie at 50: maligned but benign?
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, Davison Hall, 26 Nichol Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2882, USA. worobey@rci.rutgers.edu
Objective:
Barbie, the toy fashion doll, has been subjected to extensive speculation but little empirical investigation as to whether her thin persona exerts a negative influence on the self-image of young girls. The present study was conducted to examine the impact of childhood Barbie play versus other factors on self-image and dieting behaviors of young women.
Method:
A survey was completed by 254 undergraduate women that included questions about childhood Barbie play, family characteristics, satisfaction with their own appearance, and eating behaviors.
Results:
Neither age of acquisition or number of Barbies owned had a significant impact on self-evaluations of appearance or on dieting behavior. The strongest predictor of dieting behavior was the women's recollection of how much physical appearance was valued by her family of origin members.
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