Curvy model images reduce thin obsession

More media images of full-figured models could help break the unhealthy obsession many women have with being thin, research suggests.

After being shown pictures of plus-size models, women who started out with a strong bias in favour of slimness became significantly less keen on thin bodies. But after seeing similar photos of slender models, their preference for thinness increased.

Preferences also shifted away from thinness when “aspirational” images of well-dressed, attractive, and glamorous larger models were paired with plain pictures of underweight women.

Study leader Dr Lynda Boothroyd, from the University of Durham, said: “There is evidence that being constantly surrounded through the media by celebrities and models who are very thin contributes to girls and women having an unhealthy attitude to their bodies.

“Although we don’t yet know whether brief exposure to pictures of larger women will change women’s attitudes in the long term, our findings certainly indicate that showing more ‘normal’ models could potentially reduce women’s obsession for thinness.”

The study involved more than 100 women. In two trials, they were shown images of thin and plus-size models from catalogues and beauty contests, and ordinary women in plain, grey leotards who were either under or overweight.

The plus-size models had a minimum clothes size of 16.

Participants recorded their body size preferences using a scoring system. The results were reported in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.

They supported the idea that, in Western culture, thinness was associated with good health and high status.

An opposite view exists in other countries, where having a full figure is seen as an indicator of health, wealth, and femininity.

“Thinner bodies are definitely in vogue and within Western media, thinness is overwhelmingly idolised and being overweight is often stigmatised,” said Dr Boothroyd. “Although the media doesn’t directly cause eating disorders, research suggests it is a very powerful factor in creating body dissatisfaction.”