Women's Body Type

Advertising and media companies often get lobbied to use models that represent the average woman's body- rather than ultra-thin models, whose images may influence some women to have an unhealthy relationship with food. Now a study supports the idea that observed images affect what people consider to be acceptable body types. The report is in the journal PLUS ONE. Researchers surveyed subjects about their opinions of their own bodies and those of others. Then they presented the subjects with photos of large or thin women. Some photos were of beauty queens in evening gowns or other high-status clothing. Other photos were of women who were either very large or very thin, wearing just a neutral grey leotard. Following those viewings, the subjects were again surveyed about their body preferences.