The effect of media exposure on body satisfaction and drive for muscularity in women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to media's "ideal body types" influences women's eating patterns, body satisfaction and drive for muscularity. A primary objective of this study was to examine the difference in drive for muscularity and the risk for the development of muscle dysmorphia (MD) between female athletes and non-athletes. A series of magazine covers were viewed, ranging from thin to muscular and toned, either before or after the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) was administered. It was hypothesized that exposure to images of what society defines as "ideal" body types before an assessment of self-perception and body appreciation will result in a stronger level of body dissatisfaction. It was also hypothesized that a drive for muscularity would be present in female competitive athletes, more so than non-athletes. Surveys were administered to measure body satisfaction, eating patterns, drive for muscularity and susceptibility for the development of MD. These surveys included the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES), Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) and the Muscle Dysmorphia Index (MDI). The results suggest that a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) is correlated with non-athletes striving for thinness, while a lower BMI is correlated with competitive athletes developing a drive for muscularity and risking the development of MD. This research is important to determine the effects of media on female body appreciation and drive for muscularity. Furthermore, this study indicates that competitive female athletes may exhibit a higher level of drive for muscularity and thus, more characteristics of muscle dysmorphia.