Media Influences on Body Image and Eating Behaviors in Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is the most susceptible life stage for developing life-long body image issues and eating disorders. Existing research points to the sociocultural pressures of narrow appearance and body ideals as powerful contributing factors. Traditional media, and now social media are potent channels for communicating and perpetuating such ideals and have major influence on adolescents’ sense of self-identity. Media can overtly or subtly prompts viewers to alter their bodies through changing food and nutrition choices. However, even when well-intentioned, such changes often increase risks for significant negative consequences in all areas of emotional, mental and physical health, including greater risk of eating disorders and mood disorders. As many clinicians and school-based providers working with adolescents do not feel well-equipped in understanding the mechanisms and extent of impact of media on body image development and eating disorders risk in adolescents, the goals of this chapter are to: (1) Provide a framework to discuss how different forms of media can impact body image, eating behaviors, identity development and self-esteem in adolescents; (2) discuss why adolescence is a highly susceptible period to media influences and the array of negative health risks; and (3) suggest what can be done to counter the harmful media influences and facilitate positive body image for better health outcomes in this population.