ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9729-5543
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Psychology | Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology | Health, Clinical And Counselling Psychology | Learning, Memory, Cognition And Language | Developmental Psychology And Ageing | Social And Community Psychology | Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance | Gender Psychology | Computer Perception, Memory and Attention | Social and Community Psychology
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Behavioural and cognitive sciences | Behaviour and Health | Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences | Behaviour and health | Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified | Women’s health | The Media | Child health |
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Publications
Social media is not real: The effect of ‘Instagram vs reality’ images on women’s social comparison and body image
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 16-11-2019
Abstract: One recent trend on Instagram consists of posting ‘Instagram vs reality’ images containing side-by-side photographs of the same woman, one an idealized depiction and the other a more natural depiction. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the effect of such images on body image. Participants were 305 women aged 18–30 years who were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images: ‘Instagram vs reality’ images, the ‘ideal’ side alone or the ‘real’ side alone. As predicted, viewing the ‘Instagram vs reality’ and real images resulted in decreased body dissatisfaction relative to the ideal images. Furthermore, the detrimental effects of appearance comparison were much less marked for the ‘Instagram vs reality’ and real images than for the ideal images. It was concluded that ‘Instagram vs reality’ and real posts have the potential to bolster women’s body satisfaction, but more research is needed to assess their longer-term impact.
Appearance investment in Australian brides-to-be
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2011.03.001
Abstract: The present study examined the appearance concerns of 440 engaged women recruited from bridal websites across Australia. Participants completed a short online questionnaire incorporating measures of appearance investment, dietary restraint, and their pre-wedding beauty preparation plans. Overall, brides-to-be reported similar levels of both facets of appearance investment (self-evaluative salience and motivational salience) to normative s les. High appearance investment and dietary restraint were significantly related to a greater number of pre-wedding beauty, diet, and exercise regimes. Furthermore, pre-wedding plans were predicted differently by the two facets of appearance investment. Specifically, self-evaluative salience predicted wedding weight discrepancy, while motivational salience was a significant predictor of both appearance-related and exercise/eating behaviors. Results indicate that reducing the focus on appearance surrounding weddings and promoting a healthier bridal weight ideal may be useful in discouraging harmful appearance altering behaviors and attitudes (e.g., tanning, surgery, desire to lose weight) among women with high appearance investment.
Three broad parental feeding styles and young children’s snack intake
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-06-2017
Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify broad overarching feeding styles that parents may use and their effects on pre-school-aged children’s healthy and unhealthy snack intake. Cross sectional study Mothers ( n = 611) of children aged 2–7 years (mean age 3.9 years) completed an online survey assessing parent-feeding strategies and parent-reported child snack intake. Data were analysed in two phases. First, principal components analysis identified three major feeding styles that were labelled overt control, covert control and parent modelling. Then, structural equation modelling was used to see whether these factors were related differentially to reported child snack intake. The intake of healthy snack food was associated with higher covert control and parent modelling and lower overt control. The reverse was true for unhealthy snack intake, with the intake of these foods associated with lower covert control and parental modelling, and higher overt control. Our findings show that parent-feeding styles that attempt to control the child’s environment seem to have a positive impact on snack intake, while styles aimed at controlling the child (overt control) seem to have a detrimental impact.
Form or function: Does focusing on body functionality protect women from body dissatisfaction when viewing media images?
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-07-2016
Abstract: We examined whether shifting young women’s ( N =322) attention toward functionality components of media-portrayed idealized images would protect against body dissatisfaction. Image type was manipulated via images of models in either an objectified body-as-object form or active body-as-process form viewing focus was manipulated via questions about the appearance or functionality of the models. Social comparison was examined as a moderator. Negative outcomes were most pronounced within the process-related conditions (body-as-process images or functionality viewing focus) and for women who reported greater functionality comparison. Results suggest that functionality-based depictions, reflections, and comparisons may actually produce worse outcomes than those based on appearance.
Contextual cue exposure effects on food intake in restrained eaters
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.PHYSBEH.2016.09.004
Abstract: Food cue exposure has been shown to trigger overeating in restrained eaters. To explore the difficulties experienced by these in iduals in regulating their food intake, recent investigations have sought to determine the impact of exposure to a low calorie food cue, but with mixed success. This study tested the possibility that contextual differences moderate the impact of exposure to such a food cue among restrained eaters. To this end, we compared the effect of exposure to a low calorie food cue either on its own or together with a high calorie food cue. Specifically, we exposed 122 undergraduate women to a low calorie food cue (pictures of grapes), or to a high calorie food cue (pictures of cookies), or both, and examined the effect of such food-cue exposure on intake of either grapes or cookies. Restrained eaters were identified by their scores on the Revised Restraint Scale (Herman & Polivy, 1980). In line with predictions regarding dieting goal activation, restrained eaters ate less of the given food, either grapes or cookies, following exposure to the grapes cue alone than after exposure to the grapes+cookies cue. Thus the context in which a low calorie food cue is presented (alone, or in combination with a high calorie food cue) may play an important role in how much restrained eaters eat. The findings have implications for the regulation of food intake in restrained eaters.
The influence of maternal self-objectification, materialism and parenting style on potentially sexualized ‘grown up’ behaviours and appearance concerns in 5–8 year old girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.EATBEH.2016.05.002
Abstract: There is widespread concern about young girls displaying 'grown up' or sexualized behaviours, as well as experiencing body image and appearance concerns that were previously thought to only impact much older girls. The present study examined the influence of three maternal attributes, self-objectification, materialism and parenting style, on sexualized behaviours and appearance concerns in young girls. A s le of 252 Australian mothers of 5-8year old girls reported on the behaviours and appearance concerns observed in their daughters and also completed measures of their own self-objectification, materialism and parenting style. It was found that a significant proportion of young girls were engaging with 'teen' culture, using beauty products and expressing some degree of appearance concern. Maternal self-objectification was related to daughters' engagement in teen culture, use of beauty products and appearance concern. Maternal materialism was related to girls' engagement in teen culture and appearance concern, while an authoritative parenting style was negatively related to girls' use of beauty products. The findings suggest that maternal self-objectification and materialism play a role in the body image and appearance concerns of young girls, and in so doing, identify these maternal attributes as novel potential targets for intervention.
The Role of Self-Objectification in the Mental Health of Early Adolescent Girls: Predictors and Consequences
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-03-2015
Abstract: The overall aim of the study was to investigate the applicability of Objectification Theory to the mental health of early adolescent girls, in particular, their dieting behaviors and depressive symptoms. Both predictors and consequences of self-objectification were examined. A s le of 204 girls with a mean age of 11.6 years completed questionnaire measures of media consumption, time spent on sports and hobbies, appearance conversations, self-objectification, body shame, dieting, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling showed that magazine and Internet exposure and appearance conversations with friends predicted self-objectification. Self-objectification itself predicted body shame, which in turn predicted both dieting and depressive symptoms, in accord with the pathways postulated by Objectification Theory. The results confirm that, as is the case with adult women, self-objectification plays a significant role in the mental health of early adolescent girls.
Little girls in a grown up world: Exposure to sexualized media, internalization of sexualization messages, and body image in 6–9 year-old girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2016.04.004
Abstract: Despite widespread public concern about the early sexualization of young girls, as yet there has been little empirical examination of potential negative effects. In the present study a s le of 300 6-9 year-old girls completed in idual interviews assessing exposure to sexualized media, internalization of sexualized messages (measured via preference for sexualized clothing), and body image attitudes (body esteem, body dissatisfaction). Exposure to sexualized media was found to be correlated with internalization of sexualization messages, itself correlated with negative body image. The findings provide preliminary evidence that sexualized messages appear to be internalized by very young girls which, in turn, has negative implications for how they feel about their bodies.
“Warning: This image has been digitally altered”: The effect of disclaimer labels added to fashion magazine shoots on women’s body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2017.04.001
Abstract: The present experiment aimed to investigate the impact of the addition of disclaimer labels to fashion magazine shoots on women's body dissatisfaction. Participants were 320 female undergraduate students who viewed fashion shoots containing a thin and attractive model with no disclaimer label, or a small, large, or very large disclaimer label, or product images. Although thin-ideal fashion shoot images resulted in greater body dissatisfaction than product images, there was no significant effect of disclaimer label. Internalisation of the thin ideal was found to moderate the effect of disclaimer label, such that internalisation predicted increased body dissatisfaction in the no label and small label conditions, but not in the larger label conditions. Overall, the results showed no benefit for any size of disclaimer label in ameliorating the negative effect of viewing thin-ideal media images. It was concluded that more extensive research is required before the effective implementation of disclaimer labels.
Reality Check: An Experimental Investigation of the Addition of Warning Labels to Fashion Magazine Images on Women's Mood and Body Dissatisfaction
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Date: 02-2012
Thin ideals in music television: A source of social comparison and body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.10214
Abstract: The study investigated the impact of thin idealized images of women as presented in music television, a popular form of entertainment for young people. A s le of 84 women viewed a videotape containing either appearance music videos (which emphasized appearance and featured thin and attractive women) or non-appearance music videos. The instructional set was also manipulated to encourage or discourage social comparison. Viewing the appearance music videos featuring thin women led to increased social comparison and body dissatisfaction. Regression analyses showed that the effect of video condition on body dissatisfaction was mediated by the level of comparison processing. The study demonstrated that the content of television programming can have negative consequences for women's body image. In addition, it offered social comparison processing as both a theoretic mechanism and a practical target for intervention.
Body Image and Disordered Eating in Adolescent Girls and Boys: A Test of Objectification Theory
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-05-2010
Tweeting weight loss: A comparison of #thinspiration and #fitspiration communities on Twitter
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2018.03.002
Abstract: Thinspiration and fitspiration represent contemporary online trends designed to inspire viewers towards the thin ideal or towards health and fitness respectively. The aim of the present study was to compare thinspiration and fitspiration communities on Twitter. A total of 3289 English-language tweets with hashtags related to thinspiration (n = 1181) and fitspiration (n = 2578) were collected over a two-week period. Network analysis showed minimal overlap between the communities on Twitter, with the thinspiration community more closely-connected and having greater information flow than the fitspiration community. Frequency counts and sentiment analysis showed that although the tweets from both types of accounts focused on appearance and weight loss, fitspiration tweets were significantly more positive in sentiment. It was concluded that the thinspiration tweeters, unlike the fitspiration tweeters, represent a genuine on-line community on Twitter. Such a community of support may have negative consequences for collective body image and disordered eating identity.
Pumpkin is “yucky”!: A prospective study of overt and covert restriction in the development of young children's food preferences
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2018.12.035
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate maternal feeding strategies as prospective predictors of young children's food preferences. Participants were 106 mother - child dyads with data collected when children were aged 4 (Time 1) and then again at 6 years old (Time 2). Mothers completed an initial questionnaire at Time 1 which contained measures of restrictive and covert feeding strategies. Children were interviewed concerning their food preferences and had their height and weight measured at Time 1 and again two years later (Time 2). Longitudinal regression results showed that Time 1 parental restrictive feeding predicted decreased child-reported preferences for fruit and vegetables and increased preferences for salty food and sweets at Time 2. Conversely, Time 1 parental covert control predicted greater child-reported preferences for fruit and vegetables over time. The results provide longitudinal evidence of the negative impact of restrictive feeding, and of the positive impact of covert control, on the development of young children's food preferences.
Wedding-related weight change: The ups and downs of love
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2013.12.005
Abstract: The present study examined wedding-related weight change in 343 brides recruited from Bridal Expos in South Australia. Demographic measures and questions about weight were assessed over three time points: upon entry into the study (n=343), 1-month pre-wedding (n=130), and 6-months post-wedding (n=112). Although close to 50% of brides-to-be indicated a desire to lose weight before their weddings, linear mixed modelling revealed that their average weight did not change in the lead up to their wedding. However, 6 months after their wedding, participants had gained approximately 2kg. In addition, women who had been told to lose weight before their wedding gained significantly more weight post-wedding compared to participants who had not been told to lose weight. The findings demonstrate that wedding-related weight change may be an important factor in the body image of newlyweds and clinicians should be mindful of potential body dissatisfaction associated with post-wedding weight gain.
The effect of digital alteration disclaimer labels on social comparison and body image: Instructions and individual differences
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2016.03.005
Abstract: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of digital alteration disclaimer labels appended to fashion magazine advertisements, as well as instructional condition, on women's social comparison and body dissatisfaction. Participants were 378 female undergraduate students who viewed 11 thin ideal advertisements with either no disclaimer, a generic disclaimer, or a more detailed specific disclaimer. There were three instructional conditions: neutral, distractor, and social comparison. Disclaimer labels did not affect appearance comparison or body dissatisfaction, but instructional condition did, with the social comparison instructions producing the highest appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction. In addition, there was a three-way interaction with trait appearance comparison, such that women high on trait appearance comparison who saw specifically worded disclaimers in the distractor instructional condition experienced increased body dissatisfaction, whereas women low on this trait experienced decreased body dissatisfaction. It seems that both instructions and in idual differences may influence responses to disclaimer labels.
Labelling fashion magazine advertisements: Effectiveness of different label formats on social comparison and body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2018.02.010
Abstract: The experiment investigated the impact on women's body dissatisfaction of different forms of label added to fashion magazine advertisements. Participants were 340 female undergraduate students who viewed 15 fashion advertisements containing a thin and attractive model. They were randomly allocated to one of five label conditions: no label, generic disclaimer label (indicating image had been digitally altered), consequence label (indicating that viewing images might make women feel bad about themselves), informational label (indicating the model in the advertisement was underweight), or a graphic label (picture of a paint brush). Although exposure to the fashion advertisements resulted in increased body dissatisfaction, there was no significant effect of label type on body dissatisfaction no form of label demonstrated any ameliorating effect. In addition, the consequence and informational labels resulted in increased perceived realism and state appearance comparison. Yet more extensive research is required before the effective implementation of any form of label.
The Role of Self-Objectification in Disordered Eating, Depressed Mood, and Sexual Functioning Among Women
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-11-2012
Abstract: Our study aimed to offer a comprehensive test of the model outlined in objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). A s le of 116 Australian female undergraduate students completed measures of self-objectification, self-surveillance, body shame, appearance anxiety, internal body awareness, flow, disordered eating, depressed mood, and sexual functioning. Simple correlations showed that most variables were related as predicted. Structural equation modeling showed an acceptable level of fit of the data to the theoretical model. Nevertheless, predictive ability was considerably greater for disordered eating than for depressed mood, which in turn was greater than for sexual functioning. Appearance anxiety and body shame emerged as the major mediating variables. The findings provide strong evidence in support of objectification theory. In particular, we concluded that self-objectification plays an important role in the development of mental health issues in young women. Accordingly, intervention strategies that target either societal objectification practices themselves, or educate young women to resist the pressures inherent in these practices that lead to self-objectification, have potentially far-reaching benefits.
Attentional bias modification encourages healthy eating
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.EATBEH.2013.11.001
Abstract: The continual exposure to unhealthy food cues in the environment encourages poor dietary habits, in particular consuming too much fat and sugar, and not enough fruit and vegetables. According to Berridge's (2009) model of food reward, unhealthy eating is a behavioural response to biased attentional processing. The present study used an established attentional bias modification paradigm to discourage the consumption of unhealthy food and instead promote healthy eating. Participants were 146 undergraduate women who were randomly assigned to two groups: one was trained to direct their attention toward pictures of healthy food ('attend healthy' group) and the other toward unhealthy food ('attend unhealthy' group). It was found that participants trained to attend to healthy food cues demonstrated an increased attentional bias for such cues and ate relatively more of the healthy than unhealthy snacks compared to the 'attend unhealthy' group. Theoretically, the results support the postulated link between biased attentional processing and consumption (Berridge, 2009). At a practical level, they offer potential scope for interventions that focus on eating well.
Just One Click: A Content Analysis of Advertisements on Teen Web Sites
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.JADOHEALTH.2011.08.003
Abstract: The current study provides a comprehensive analysis of the content of advertisements on Web sites targeted at adolescents, with a particular focus on the female beauty ideal. Advertisements (N = 631) from 14 Web sites popular with adolescents were analyzed with respect to product advertised, characteristics of people presented, and emphasis on appearance and the thin beauty ideal. Although a wide variety of products were featured, advertisements for cosmetics and beauty products were the most frequent. Further, many of the products advertised (e.g., dating services, weight loss products, gambling games) might be considered inappropriate for the intended audience (i.e., teenagers) of the Web site. People who were a part of advertisements were generally female, young, thin, and attractive. Advertisements for games, weight loss products, and cosmetic and beauty products strongly focused on appearance and laid emphasis on the thin ideal. Like advertisements in mainstream media, advertising on the Internet perpetuates the stereotypical ideal of feminine beauty. Adolescents using the Internet are likely to be exposed to numerous advertisements that reinforce the importance of beauty and thinness, which could have a detrimental impact on how they feel about their bodies.
Media Exposure, Extracurricular Activities, and Appearance-Related Comments as Predictors of Female Adolescents’ Self-Objectification
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 14-10-2014
Abstract: Our study examined three potential predictors of self-objectification in female adolescents, namely media exposure, extracurricular activities, and appearance-related comments (both positive and negative). Participants were 1,087 female adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 16, who completed questionnaire measures of media exposure (television, magazines, Internet, and social networking), time spent on extracurricular activities, positive and negative appearance-related comments, self-objectification, self-surveillance, body shame, and disordered eating. Tests of the hypothesized path model revealed that self-reported exposure to magazines and social networking sites each independently was associated positively with self-objectification. In addition, positive appearance-related comments were shown to be associated positively with self-objectification. On the other hand, time spent on extracurricular activities was not related to self-objectification. The results offer support for the role of media exposure and appearance-related comments in the development of self-objectification in female adolescents. In particular, the results suggest that positive appearance-related comments (compliments) may be just as, or even more, likely to give rise to self-objectification as negative appearance-related comments. The findings suggest practical strategies for the potential protection of the development of self-objectification and its deleterious consequences.
Determinants of breast reconstruction outcome: How important is volume symmetry?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.BJPS.2014.12.038
Abstract: Breast reconstruction has established psychosocial benefit compared to mastectomy alone. Evaluation of determinants of breast reconstruction outcome has previously been limited by lack of high quality, condition-specific, patient-reported outcomes measures. The BREAST-Q is such a measure and is well suited to comparison against objective measurements of reconstructed breasts such as volume and volume symmetry. A cohort of patients who had undergone breast reconstruction over a 14 year period underwent assessment of their breast reconstructions using a 3D laser scanning technique and at the same time completed the BREAST-Q patient reported outcomes measure. The objective data derived from the 3D laser scans were then compared to the quantitative data from the patient-reported outcomes measure. Internal comparisons between domains of the BREAST-Q were also examined. 119 patients completed the study. No correlation was found between objectively measured post-operative volume symmetry and patient reported satisfaction with breasts. Examination of a specific question of the BREAST-Q established that patients did notice if they had breast asymmetry but that this did not translate into dissatisfaction with the breasts overall. Patients who had second stage surgery to correct asymmetry, however, did have a statistically significant increase in satisfaction with breasts between pre and post-symmetrization measures. The strongest correlation for a high level of satisfaction with the reconstructed breast(s) was high level of satisfaction with pre-operative information given. Although symmetrization procedures are valuable for increasing satisfaction with breasts, breast volume symmetry is not a major determinant of outcome in breast reconstruction. The breast reconstruction 'process' is more important in determining patients' post-operative well-being and satisfaction with their overall outcome than the actual final 'product' of their reconstruction.
Positive appearance and functionality reflections can improve body satisfaction but do not protect against idealised media exposure
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2017.09.002
Abstract: We tested the effectiveness of a positive appearance or functionality reflective writing task on women's body satisfaction and whether these writing task reflections offered any protective advantage when exposed to idealised imagery. Young adult women (N=230 M
Approach bias modification training and consumption: A review of the literature
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2016.08.007
Abstract: Recent theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence have suggested that biased cognitive processing is an important contributor to unhealthy behaviour. Approach bias modification is a novel intervention in which approach biases for appetitive cues are modified. The current review of the literature aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of modifying approach bias for harmful consumption behaviours, including alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and unhealthy eating. Relevant publications were identified through a search of four electronic databases (PsycINFO, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus) that were conducted between October and December 2015. Eligibility criteria included the use of a human adult s le, at least one session of avoidance training, and an outcome measure related to the behaviour of interest. The fifteen identified publications (comprising 18 in idual studies) were coded on a number of characteristics, including consumption behaviour, participants, task, training and control conditions, number of training sessions and trials, outcome measure, and results. The results generally showed positive effects of approach-avoidance training, including reduced consumption behaviour in the laboratory, lower relapse rates, and improvements in self-reported measures of behaviour. Importantly, all studies (with one exception) that reported favourable consumption outcomes also demonstrated successful reduction of the approach bias for appetitive cues. Thus, the current review concluded that approach bias modification is effective for reducing both approach bias and unhealthy consumption behaviour.
Directing gaze: The effect of disclaimer labels on women's visual attention to fashion magazine advertisements
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2014.06.004
Abstract: In an effort to combat the known negative effects of exposure to unrealistic thin ideal images, there is increasing worldwide pressure on fashion, media and advertising industries to disclose when images have been digitally altered. The current study used eye tracking technology to investigate experimentally how digital alteration disclaimer labels impact women's visual attention to fashion magazine advertisements. Participants were 60 female undergraduate students who viewed four thin ideal advertisements with either no disclaimer, a generic disclaimer, or a specific more detailed disclaimer. It was established that women did attend to the disclaimers. The nature of the disclaimer had no effect on time spent looking at particular body parts, but did affect the direction of gaze following reading of the disclaimer. This latter effect was found to be greater for women high on trait appearance comparison. Further research is paramount in guiding effective policy around the use of disclaimer labels.
Yoga and positive body image: A test of the Embodiment Model
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2016.06.008
Abstract: The study aimed to test the Embodiment Model of Positive Body Image (Menzel & Levine, 2011) within the context of yoga. Participants were 193 yoga practitioners (124 Iyengar, 69 Bikram) and 127 university students (non-yoga participants) from Adelaide, South Australia. Participants completed questionnaire measures of positive body image, embodiment, self-objectification, and desire for thinness. Results showed yoga practitioners scored higher on positive body image and embodiment, and lower on self-objectification than non-yoga participants. In support of the embodiment model, the relationship between yoga participation and positive body image was serially mediated by embodiment and reduced self-objectification. Although Bikram practitioners endorsed appearance-related reasons for participating in yoga more than Iyengar practitioners, there were no significant differences between Iyengar and Bikram yoga practitioners on body image variables. It was concluded that yoga is an embodying activity that can provide women with the opportunity to cultivate a favourable relationship with their body.
Contemporary girlhood: Maternal reports on sexualized behaviour and appearance concern in 4–10 year-old girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2014.06.007
Abstract: It is widely accepted that the sexualization of girls has increased markedly over time. The overall aim of the present study was to offer a description of the behaviours of young girls, with a particular focus on potentially sexualized behaviours and appearance concern. A s le of 815 mothers of 4-10 year-old girls completed a questionnaire about a range of behaviours exhibited by their daughters, in addition to measures of their own self-objectification and material concern. It was found that many girls engaged with teen culture and used a variety of beauty products, but few exhibited more overtly sexualized behaviours. Involvement with teen culture, using beauty products, attention to clothes, and personal grooming were all associated with the measure of appearance concern, as were maternal self-objectification and material concern. It was concluded that young girls do engage in 'grown up' behaviours and that such engagement is not benign for their development.
Disclaimer labels on fashion magazine advertisements: Does timing of digital alteration information matter?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.EATBEH.2016.08.010
Abstract: The study aimed to investigate whether a message informing readers about digital alteration read before exposure to thin ideal advertisements would enhance the effectiveness of disclaimer labels. Participants were 280 female undergraduate students who viewed eleven thin ideal fashion magazine advertisements. Half viewed the advertisements in their original format, and half viewed the same advertisements with a digital alteration disclaimer label. Prior to viewing the advertisements, participants read either a brief message informing them that advertisements are commonly digitally altered, or a control message. Irrespective of experimental condition, exposure to the thin ideal advertisements led to increased body dissatisfaction, with social comparison predicting this increase. Neither the disclaimer label nor the pre-exposure message, nor their combination, led to reductions in perceived realism, social comparison, or body dissatisfaction. However, trait appearance comparison moderated the effect of pre-exposure message on perceived realism, such that women high on trait appearance comparison in the digital alteration pre-exposure message condition rated the models as relatively more realistic than did women low on this trait. It was concluded that more research is needed to identify brief and easy-to-implement universal prevention strategies that can reduce the negative effects of thin ideal media imagery on women's body image.
Impulsivity moderates the effect of approach bias modification on healthy food consumption
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2017.06.019
Abstract: The study aimed to modify approach bias for healthy and unhealthy food and to determine its effect on subsequent food consumption. In addition, we investigated the potential moderating role of impulsivity in the effect of approach bias re-training on food consumption. Participants were 200 undergraduate women (17-26 years) who were randomly allocated to one of five conditions of an approach-avoidance task varying in the training of an approach bias for healthy food, unhealthy food, and non-food cues in a single session of 10 min. Outcome variables were approach bias for healthy and unhealthy food and the proportion of healthy relative to unhealthy snack food consumed. As predicted, approach bias for healthy food significantly increased in the 'avoid unhealthy food/approach healthy food' condition. Importantly, the effect of training on snack consumption was moderated by trait impulsivity. Participants high in impulsivity consumed a greater proportion of healthy snack food following the 'avoid unhealthy food/approach healthy food' training. This finding supports the suggestion that automatic processing of appetitive cues has a greater influence on consumption behaviour in in iduals with poor self-regulatory control.
“It wasn’t your fault, but …...”: Schadenfreude about an undeserved misfortune
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-10-2017
The role of perfectionism in body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-01-2013
The impact of different forms of #fitspiration imagery on body image, mood, and self-objectification among young women
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-09-2018
Disclaimer labels on fashion magazine advertisements: Impact on visual attention and relationship with body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2015.09.005
Abstract: Globally there is increasing advocacy for the implementation of laws requiring disclaimer labels to be attached to media images that have been digitally altered, with the goal of reducing the known negative effects of exposure to unrealistic thin ideal imagery for women. The current study used eye tracking technology to establish how digital alteration disclaimer labels affect women's visual attention to fashion magazine advertisements, and the interrelationship with body dissatisfaction and state appearance comparison. Participants were 120 female undergraduate students who viewed four thin ideal advertisements with either no disclaimer, a generic disclaimer, or a more detailed specific disclaimer. It was found that women did attend to the disclaimers. Specifically worded disclaimers directed visual attention towards target body areas, which resulted in increased body dissatisfaction, while state appearance comparison predicted increased body dissatisfaction. Further research is imperative to provide guidance on the most effective use of disclaimer labels.
Gender differences in adolescent sport participation, teasing, self‐objectification and body image concerns
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-07-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADOLESCENCE.2010.06.007
Abstract: This study examined gender differences in adolescent participation in sport and physical activity, in teasing experiences specific to the physical activity domain, and the relationship between adolescent physical activity and body image. A s le of 714 adolescents (332 girls, 382 boys) aged between 12 and 16 years completed measures of participation in organised sport and other physical activities, experiences of teasing specific to sport, self‐objectification and body image. Adolescent girls participated in organised sport at a lower rate than boys, but experienced higher levels of teasing. Both girls and boys reported being teased by same‐sex peers, but in addition, girls also reported being teased by opposite‐sex peers (i.e. boys). Time spent on aesthetic physical activities was related to disordered eating symptomatology for both girls and boys. It was concluded that teasing and body image concerns may contribute to adolescent girls’ reduced rates of participation in sports and other physical activities.
“That’s enough now!”: A prospective study of the effects of maternal control on children’s snack intake
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-0009
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2018.03.008
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate maternal feeding strategies as prospective predictors of young children's snack intake. Participants were 252 mothers of children aged 3-11 years old who completed questionnaire measures of parent feeding strategies (Restriction and Covert Control) and reported on their child's healthy and unhealthy snack intake at two time points separated by three years. Longitudinal regression models showed no prediction of healthy snack food intake. However, Time 1 parental restrictive feeding predicted greater unhealthy snack intake at Time 2, while Time 1 covert feeding strategies predicted lower unhealthy snack intake at Time 2. Structural equation modeling showed that these associations were independent of known covariates that influence children's snack intake (child and parent weight, education level and SES). The results provide longitudinal evidence for the negative impact of restrictive parent feeding strategies on children's snack intake and highlight the importance of dissuading parents from using this type of feeding control. Instead, parents should be encouraged to use more covert feeding strategies that are associated with less unhealthy snack intake over the longer term.
NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-05-2013
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.22141
Abstract: The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship between Internet exposure and body image concern in adolescent girls, with a particular focus on the social networking site of Facebook. A s le of 1,087 girls in the first two years (Years 8 and 9) of high school (aged 13-15 years) completed questionnaire measures of Internet consumption and body image concerns. The overwhelming majority of girls (95.9%) had access to the Internet in their home. Time spent on the Internet was significantly related to internalization of the thin ideal, body surveillance, and drive for thinness. Further, 75% of the girls had a Facebook profile, and spent an average of 1.5 hours there daily. Facebook users scored significantly more highly on all body image concern measures than non-users. It was concluded that the Internet represents a potent socio-cultural medium of relevance to the body image of adolescent girls.
Disclaimer labels on fashion magazine advertisements: Effects on social comparison and body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2012.08.001
Abstract: Recent proposals across a number of Western countries have suggested that idealised media images should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The present studies aimed to experimentally investigate the impact on women's body dissatisfaction of the addition of such warning labels to fashion magazine advertisements. Participants were 120 and 114 female undergraduate students in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 respectively. In both experiments, participants viewed fashion magazine advertisements with either no warning label, a generic warning label, or a specific more detailed warning label. In neither experiment was there a significant effect of type of label. However, state appearance comparison was found to predict change in body dissatisfaction irrespective of condition. Unexpectedly, trait appearance comparison moderated the effect of label on body dissatisfaction, such that for women high on trait appearance comparison, exposure to specific warning labels actually resulted in increased body dissatisfaction. In sum, the present results showed no benefit of warning labels in ameliorating the known negative effect of viewing thin-ideal media images, and even suggested that one form of warning (specific) might be harmful for some in iduals. Accordingly, it was concluded that more extensive research is required to guide the most effective use of disclaimer labels.
Attractive celebrity and peer images on Instagram: Effect on women's mood and body image
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2016.08.007
Abstract: A large body of research has documented that exposure to images of thin fashion models contributes to women's body dissatisfaction. The present study aimed to experimentally investigate the impact of attractive celebrity and peer images on women's body image. Participants were 138 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to view either a set of celebrity images, a set of equally attractive unknown peer images, or a control set of travel images. All images were sourced from public Instagram profiles. Results showed that exposure to celebrity and peer images increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction relative to travel images, with no significant difference between celebrity and peer images. This effect was mediated by state appearance comparison. In addition, celebrity worship moderated an increased effect of celebrity images on body dissatisfaction. It was concluded that exposure to attractive celebrity and peer images can be detrimental to women's body image.
NetTweens
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-09-2013
Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between media exposure and body image concerns in preteenage girls, with a particular focus on the Internet. A s le of 189 girls (aged 10-12 years) completed questionnaire measures of media consumption and body image concerns. Nearly all girls (97.5%) had access to the Internet in their home. Time spent on-line was significantly related to internalization of the thin ideal (as was time reading magazines and watching television), body surveillance, reduced body esteem, and increased dieting. In accord with the sociocultural model, internalization mediated the effect of the Internet on body image concerns. Further, 14% of the girls had a MySpace profile and 43% had a Facebook profile. Time spent on these social networking sites produced stronger correlations with body image concern than did overall Internet exposure. It was concluded that the Internet represents a potent sociocultural force among preteenage girls.
‘Retouch free’: The effect of labelling media images as not digitally altered on women's body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2013.08.005
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of 'retouch free' labels on thin ideal fashion images on women's body dissatisfaction. This represents an experimental analogue to current practice by some fashion magazines. Participants were 224 female undergraduates who viewed a set of fashion shoots with either no label, or a label indicating that the image had not been digitally altered. Results indicated that, although body dissatisfaction increased after exposure to the thin ideal images, there was no significant effect of label type on mood or body dissatisfaction. It was concluded that labelling images as digitally unaltered appears neither helpful nor harmful in terms of body dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, more extensive research is required to guide the most effective use of labels.
The effect of Instagram “likes” on women’s social comparison and body dissatisfaction
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2018.07.002
Abstract: Photo-based activity on social networking sites has recently been identified as contributing to body image concerns. The present study aimed to investigate experimentally the effect of number of likes accompanying Instagram images on women's own body dissatisfaction. Participants were 220 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to view a set of thin-ideal or average images paired with a low or high number of likes presented in an Instagram frame. Results showed that exposure to thin-ideal images led to greater body and facial dissatisfaction than average images. While the number of likes had no effect on body dissatisfaction or appearance comparison, it had a positive effect on facial dissatisfaction. These effects were not moderated by Instagram involvement, but greater investment in Instagram likes was associated with more appearance comparison and facial dissatisfaction. The results illustrate how the uniquely social interactional aspects of social media (e.g., likes) can affect body image.
Managing young children's snack food intake. The role of parenting style and feeding strategies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2015.05.012
Abstract: One major contributor to the problem of childhood overweight and obesity is the over-consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar, such as snack foods. The current study aimed to examine young children's snack intake and the influence of feeding strategies used by parents in the context of general parenting style. Participants were 611 mothers of children aged 2-7 years who completed an online questionnaire containing measures of general parenting domains and two particular feeding strategies, restriction and covert control. It was found that greater unhealthy snack intake was associated with higher restriction and lower covert control, while greater healthy snack intake was associated with lower restriction and higher covert control. Further, the feeding strategies mediated the association between parental demandingness and responsiveness and child snack intake. These findings provide evidence for the differential impact of controlling and positive parental feeding strategies on young children's snack intake in the context of general parenting.
Eating in the absence of hunger in young children: The role of maternal feeding strategies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2018.07.024
Abstract: Restrictive feeding strategies have been associated with increased eating in the absence of hunger in a small number of studies of young girls. The aim of the present study was to examine a broader range of maternal feeding styles and eating in the absence of hunger in both girls and boys aged 3-5 years old. Participants were 184 mother-child dyads. Mothers completed a questionnaire containing measures of feeding strategies (Restriction, Pressure to Eat and Covert Control). Children consumed a lunch meal and then completed the Eating in the Absence of Hunger protocol. For girls, restrictive feeding was associated with increased eating in the absence of hunger. For boys, pressure to eat more was negatively associated with eating in the absence of hunger. Covert control was not associated with eating in the absence of hunger. Overall, the findings suggest that maternal feeding practices have a differential effect on the eating behaviours of girls and boys. In addition, results from this study indicate that controlling maternal feeding strategies, such as restrictive feeding, have a detrimental impact on young children's eating behaviours and may interfere with their ability to self-regulate eating.
A test of objectification theory in adolescent girls
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2002
The effect of combined avoidance and control training on implicit food evaluation and choice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JBTEP.2017.01.002
Abstract: Continual exposure to food cues in the environment contributes to unhealthy eating behaviour. According to dual-process models, such behaviour is partly determined by automatic processing of unhealthy food cues (e.g., approach bias), which fails to be regulated by controlled processing (e.g., inhibitory control). The current study aimed to investigate the effect of combined avoidance and control training on implicit evaluation (liking), choice, and consumption of unhealthy snack food. Participants were 240 undergraduate women who were randomly allocated to one of four experimental conditions of a 2 (avoidance training: training versus control) x 2 (control training: training versus control) between-subjects design. The combined training group had a more negative implicit evaluation of unhealthy food than either of the two training conditions alone or the control condition. In addition, participants trained to avoid unhealthy food cues subsequently made fewer unhealthy snack food choices. No significant group differences were found for food intake. Participants were women generally of a healthy weight. Overweight or obese in iduals may derive greater benefit from combined training. Results lend support to the theoretical predictions of dual-process models, as the combined training reduced implicit liking of unhealthy food. At a practical level, the findings have implications for the effectiveness of interventions targeting unhealthy eating behaviour.
Combined effects of cognitive bias for food cues and poor inhibitory control on unhealthy food intake
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2015.01.004
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the combined effects of cognitive bias (attentional and approach biases) and inhibitory control on unhealthy snack food intake. Cognitive biases reflect automatic processing, while inhibitory control is an important component of controlled processing. Participants were 146 undergraduate women who completed a dot probe task to assess attentional bias and an approach-avoidance task to assess approach bias. Inhibitory control was measured with a food-specific go/no-go task. Unhealthy snack food intake was measured using a so-called "taste test". There was a significant interaction between approach bias and inhibitory control on unhealthy snack food intake. Specifically, participants who showed a strong approach bias combined with low inhibitory control consumed the most snack food. Theoretically, the results support contemporary dual-process models which propose that behaviour is guided by both automatic and controlled processing systems. At a practical level, the results offer potential scope for an intervention that combines re-training of both automatic and controlled processing.
“Uncool to do sport”: A focus group study of adolescent girls’ reasons for withdrawing from physical activity
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2010
The Contribution of Physical Activity and Media Use during Childhood and Adolescence to Adult Women's Body Image
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-2006
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects of both past and current physical activity and media use on women's body image. A s le of 144 female undergraduate students completed measures of current physical activity, media use and body image, as well as providing retrospective reports of their physical activity participation and media usage during childhood and adolescence. Regression analyses showed that childhood experiences of physical activity and media use predicted adult body-image concerns more strongly than current activities. It was concluded that early experiences of both physical activity and media use during childhood and adolescence play an important role in the development of adult women's body image.
Objectification in fitness centers: Self-objectification, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating in aerobic instructors and aerobic participants
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2005
Measures of body image: Confirmatory factor analysis and association with disordered eating.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1037/PAS0000461
Abstract: The current study aimed to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of 3 measures of body image disturbance (body image flexibility, body avoidance, and body checking) considered to be relevant to eating disorder psychopathology, with the aim of determining the optimal structure of each for use in treatment planning and outcome monitoring. Additionally, the study aimed to identify which factors had the strongest association with disordered eating. Participants were 328 female undergraduate university students aged 17-25 years. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted followed by correlational, regression, and
Brides and young couples
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 27-03-2014
Abstract: Mate selection seems to be based to some extent on appearance and physique. Assortative mating suggests that romantic partners select each other based on their similarity in important characteristics. Two studies examined the similarity in physiques of members of romantic couples. Study 1 found that the physical measurements of brides-to-be were positively correlated with those of their fiancés, although the brides were lighter and shorter than their partners. The exception was that brides who lost weight before their wedding initially had body mass indexes (BMIs) very similar to their partners. Study 2 also found similarity in weight and BMI between university couple partners. Partners’ ratings of the participants’ physical attractiveness were higher than participants’ own self-ratings, particularly for females. Romantic couples were thus similar in physique and share the same (inaccurate) view of their partners’ height and weight. These findings support assortative mating and highlight the importance of weight in the partner selection process.
An examination of pre-wedding body image concerns in brides and bridesmaids
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2008.05.001
Abstract: This study examined the prevalence of appearance and weight-related concerns in brides (N=347) and bridesmaids (N=122). Participants completed a short questionnaire on their pre-wedding beauty preparation plans at two bridal expos held in Adelaide, South Australia. Over 50% of participants planned to lose weight before the wedding, 40% intended to go on a diet, and around 67% indicated that they planned to exercise more. More than 10% of participants had been told by others that they should lose weight for the wedding. Looking good on the wedding day was seen as extremely important for both brides and bridesmaids, with 'for the wedding photos' the most highly cited reason. These results illustrate the focus on appearance in general, and on weight in particular, surrounding contemporary weddings.
The effect of simultaneous exercise and exposure to thin-ideal music videos on women's state self-objectification, mood and body satisfaction
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-05-2012
The role of expectations in the effect of food cue exposure on intake
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2016.04.026
Abstract: Pre-exposure to food cues has often been shown to increase food intake, especially in restrained eaters. This study investigated the role of expectations in the effect of such pre-exposure on food intake. A s le of 88 undergraduate women was exposed to visual food cues (photos of grapes and chocolate-chip cookies). In a 2 × 2 × 2 design, participants were explicitly told to expect that they would be tasting and rating either grapes or chocolate-chip cookies. Participants subsequently completed an ostensible taste test, in which they tasted and rated either grapes or cookies, such that half were given the food that they had been led to expect and the other half were given the other food. Participants' restraint status (restrained versus unrestrained) was based on their scores on the Revised Restraint Scale (Herman & Polivy, 1980). A significant interaction between expected food and restraint status was found. When participants were led to expect that they would be tasting grapes, restrained and unrestrained eaters did not differ in their subsequent consumption (of either grapes or cookies). However, when participants were led to expect that they would be tasting cookies, restrained eaters ate significantly less (of both grapes and cookies) than did unrestrained eaters, even though craving ratings were similarly elevated for both restrained and unrestrained eaters. The findings are consistent with counteractive control theory in that restrained eaters who expected to eat a high caloric food may have been able to activate their dieting goal, thereby limiting their food intake. The findings further point to an important role for expectations in the understanding and regulation of food intake in restrained eaters.
Media matters for boys too! The role of specific magazine types and television programs in the drive for thinness and muscularity in adolescent boys
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.EATBEH.2014.10.002
Abstract: This study examined the role of specific magazine types and television programs on drive for thinness and muscularity in adolescent boys. A s le of 182 adolescent boys with an average age of 15.2 years completed questionnaire measures of magazine and television consumption, drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. Different media genres showed varying relationships with drive for thinness and muscularity. Specifically, the consumption of men's magazines and the viewing of soap operas emerged as significant unique predictors of drive for thinness, with the consumption of men's magazines also offering unique prediction of drive for muscularity. A comprehensive approach that considers both type and genre of media is critical in increasing our understanding of the complex relationships between media exposure and disordered eating in adolescent boys.
“Appearance potent”? A content analysis of UK gay and straight men's magazines
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2014.07.010
Abstract: With little actual appraisal, a more 'appearance potent' (i.e., a reverence for appearance ideals) subculture has been used to explain gay men's greater body dissatisfaction in comparison to straight men's. This study sought to assess the respective appearance potency of each subculture by a content analysis of 32 issues of the most read gay (Attitude, Gay Times) and straight men's magazines (Men's Health, FHM) in the UK. Images of men and women were coded for their physical characteristics, objectification and nudity, as were the number of appearance adverts and articles. The gay men's magazines featured more images of men that were appearance ideal, nude and sexualized than the straight men's magazines. The converse was true for the images of women and appearance adverts. Although more research is needed to understand the effect of this content on the viewer, the findings are consistent with a more appearance potent gay male subculture.
Differential effects of approach bias and eating style on unhealthy food consumption in overweight and normal weight women
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 22-05-2017
DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2017.1327587
Abstract: The current study aimed to examine the effects of approach bias for unhealthy food and trait eating style on consumption of unhealthy food in overweight and normal weight in iduals. Participants were 245 undergraduate women aged 17 - 26 years. They completed an Approach-Avoidance Task, the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (to assess restrained, emotional, and external eating), and a taste test to measure consumption of unhealthy food. An external eating style predicted increased consumption of unhealthy food. Among overweight participants, external and emotional eating style in idually moderated the relationship between approach bias for unhealthy food and subsequent consumption. Specifically, approach bias was positively related to consumption in high external and emotional eaters, but negatively related to consumption in low emotional eaters. These interactions were not observed among normal weight participants. Practically, the results suggest that overweight in iduals who are external or emotional eaters may benefit from interventions that aim to modify approach bias towards unhealthy food cues to reduce problematic eating behaviour.
What is the appropriate control condition for approach bias modification? A response to commentary by Becker et al. (2017)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Relations among exercise type, self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environment: The role of reasons for exercise
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2008
Unveiled: Pre-wedding weight concerns and health and beauty plans of Australian brides
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-09-2009
Abstract: This study investigated the prevalence of appearance and weight-related concerns in 879 Australian brides-to-be recruited from five bridal websites. Close to 75 per cent of the s le intended to exercise more and follow a ‘healthy eating plan’, while over 35 per cent planned to cut fat or carbohydrates out of their diets. On average, participants wished to lose over 8kg (18lbs) by their wedding day, and one-third had been told to lose weight by someone else for the wedding. These findings demonstrate the salience of appearance concerns among brides-to-be and highlight the need to promote a healthier bridal body ideal.
Shared temperament risk factors for anorexia nervosa: a twin study.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2008
Exposure to Barbie: Effects on thin-ideal internalisation, body esteem, and body dissatisfaction among young girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2016.09.005
Abstract: Barbie doll ownership is high among girls in early primary school. It has been suggested that exposure to Barbie impacts negatively on body image. The present study sought to investigate the effect of exposure to Barbie on young girls' thin-ideal internalisation, body esteem, and body dissatisfaction. Participants were 160 girls (aged 5-8 years) from Adelaide, South Australia. They were randomly allocated one of three Barbie conditions (physical engagement, physical observation, print observation) or to a control toy. Results indicated that exposure to Barbie, irrespective of format, led to higher thin-ideal internalisation than exposure to the control, but had no impact on body esteem or body dissatisfaction. This suggests that interacting with Barbie may encourage girls in early primary school to adopt a preference for a thin body, but with no immediate effect on body image. The long-term impact of Barbie exposure on body image remains unknown.
Idealised media images: The effect of fitspiration imagery on body satisfaction and exercise behaviour
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2017.06.001
Abstract: Recent studies have documented a shift in the cultural ideal of physical attractiveness, with women subscribing to a visibly toned ideal that emphasises health and fitness. The present study experimentally investigated the impact of athletic and muscular fitness-idealised images compared to traditional thin ideal images on women's body dissatisfaction and exercise behaviour, under the framework of Social Comparison Theory. Participants were 106 female undergraduate students randomly assigned to view one of three sets of images (thin ideal, athletic ideal, or muscular ideal) followed by a bout of exercise. Acute exposure to athletic ideal and thin ideal images led to increased body dissatisfaction, but exposure to muscular ideal images did not. Relative to thin ideal images, fitness-idealised images did not motivate participants to engage in higher levels of exercise suggesting that this type of fitness inspiration might not motivate actual exercise behaviour.
Maternal responses to difficult food request scenarios: Relationships with feeding style and child unhealthy snack intake
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-10-2016
Abstract: This study sought to identify parent-feeding behaviours in real-life difficult feeding situations through the use of a set of scenarios. These were then used to examine links between parent feeding and child snack intake. Mothers of children aged 2–7 years ( n = 611) completed an online survey containing five snack food request scenarios, two commonly used parent-feeding scales (Restriction and Covert Control), and reported on their child’s snack intake. Results showed that parent-feeding styles (restrictive or covert) translated into specific behaviours in response to the scenarios. These parent behaviours predicted children’s intake of unhealthy snack food over and above the feeding style.
Facebook and body image concern in adolescent girls: A prospective study
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-10-2016
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.22640
Abstract: The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship across time between Facebook use and body image concern in adolescent girls. A s le of 438 girls in the first two years (Years 8 and 9) of high school (aged 13-15 years) at Time 1 completed questionnaire measures of Facebook consumption and body image concerns, and again two years later (Time 2). Facebook involvement increased substantially over the two year time period. Body image concerns also increased. Number of Facebook friends was found to prospectively predict the observed increase in drive for thinness. On the other hand, internalization and body surveillance prospectively predicted the observed increase in number of Facebook friends. It was concluded that Facebook "friendships" represent a potent sociocultural force in the body image of adolescent girls. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2017 50:80-83).
External eating mediates the relationship between impulsivity and unhealthy food intake
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.PHYSBEH.2015.04.030
Abstract: Recent evidence from the eating domain shows a link between impulsivity and unhealthy food intake. However, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. One possibility is an external eating style, which has been linked to both impulsivity and food intake. The current study investigated the potential mediating role of external eating in the relationship between impulsivity and food intake. Participants were 146 undergraduate women who completed measures of impulsivity and external eating, and took part in a laboratory taste test as a behavioural index of unhealthy snack food intake. It was found that attentional and motor impulsivity interacted in predicting sweet food intake, but only motor impulsivity predicted both external eating and sweet food intake. Furthermore, the relationship between motor impulsivity and food intake was mediated by external eating. These findings support the development of interventions aimed at targeting specific aspects of impulsivity in order to reduce unhealthy eating behaviour.
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