University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

The unspoken power of toxic words on body image

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The unspoken power of toxic words on body image

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Content Kast 1

The Unspoken Power of Toxic Words on Body Image
by
Hinde Kast

A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
(STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS)

May 2018

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Table of Contents
Introduction 6
Body Image Throughout the Ages 8
1960s: Ideal Body Image—Slenderness 9
1970s: Ideal Body Image—Thin 13
1980s: Ideal Body Image—Thin and Fit 16
1990s: Ideal Body Image—Heroin Chic 19
2000s: Ideal Body Image—Barbie 22
2010s: Ideal Body Image—Retaliation and Body Positivity 26
The Corpulence Language 27
Insulting 27
Blatant 28
Subtle 32
But it is Unhealthy Right? 63
Visual 65
The Thin Ideal 69
Social Media 71
Thinspiration 71
Toxic Mirror 76
Body Shaming/Fat Shaming 78
Fat Talk 80
Solutions for Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing Practitioners 81
Works Cited 84

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Appendix 91

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Warner Slim Lingerie Advertisement 10
Figure 2: Gold’s Gym Advertisement 11
Figure 3: Maidenform Advertisement 12
Figure 4: Virginia Slims Advertisement 14
Figure 5: New Year’s Resolution: Be Slim in ’70 Advertisement 15
Figure 6: TDK Advertisement 17
Figure 7: Jazzercise Advertisement 18
Figure 8: Calvin Klein Advertisement 21
Figure 9: Photoshopped Image of Oprah Winfrey 23
Figure 10: Photoshopped Image of Kate Winslet 24
Figure 11: Photoshopped Image of Faith Hill 24
Figure 12: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 52 28
Figure 13: People, 15 Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 89 29
Figure 14: Women’s Health, Dec. 2017 Issue, Page 23 33
Figure 15: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 41 34
Figure 16: Health, Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 31 35
Figure 17: People, 15 Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 86 37
Figure 18: Health Dec. 2017 Issue Page 1 39
Figure 19: Health, Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 12 40
Figure 20: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 47 43
Figure 21: Women’s Health, Dec. 2017 Issue, Page 1 44
Figure 22: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Muffin Top 47-48
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Figure 23: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Obese 49
Figure 24: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Skinny 51-52
Figure 25: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Fit 54-55
Figure 26: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Toned Body 56
Figure 27: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Tight Body 56-57
Figure 28: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Slimming Down 60
Figure 29: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Weight or Health 62
Figure 30: Thinspiration Examples on Twitter 74-75

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Introduction
Slim down! Torch that fat! Think thin! Say bye-bye to your belly fat! Why do we talk
about our bodies this way? Why is being happy in our own bodies such a novel concept in
today’s world? Why are words like “fat,” “overweight,” and “chubby” so hated, yet “fit,” “lean,”
and “thin” so aspirational? The culprit: the ideal body image defined by societal norms. This
ideal may change from generation to generation, but it is always present, haunting everyone in
advertisements, fashion shows, magazines, television, and professional photoshoots.
The words body image refers to “how people see themselves” (“Weight & Body Image
Disorders”). An individual’s perception is either negative or positive and as body image
perception becomes increasingly distorted, the concept of negative body image forms. Negative
body image (also referred to as distorted body image) “refers to an unrealistic view of how
someone sees their body” (“Weight & Body Image Disorders,” par.1). However, what causes the
perception of one’s body to become unrealistic?
Unfortunately, there is a correlation between someone’s weight of someone on a scale
and the manner he or she perceives their body. Research shows “individuals exhibiting increased
BMI z-scores between 4 and 23 years of age reported higher risks of body dissatisfaction at 23
years of age” (Mintem et al. 2015, par.4). Why is body image dissatisfaction so prevalent?
Regrettably, the visual representation of larger body types in the media has a significant
influence. Romeo Vitelli, Ph.D. conducted significant research into the visual representation of
bodies in the media and the consequences thereof. Specifically, following a content analysis of
female characters in movies and television, Vitelli found there was an observable bias towards
body weight representation of those below the recommended size and weight for people within
that age group (2013). Vitelli noted the adolescent females who were unable to conform to the
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ideal being put forward by movies and television would take “extreme measures to be more like
their role models” (2013, par.3). He also noted “with thinness presented as the ideal body shape
and a necessary prerequisite for health and happiness, anyone falling short of this ideal is
vulnerable to depression, poor self-esteem, and general body dissatisfaction” (2013, par.3).
Rehab.com found that aspirations for thinness impact many girls in their youth. In one
study, “40% of 6-year-old girls expressed a desire to be thinner” (“Women’s Body Image and
BMI,” par.47). Furthermore, “an overwhelming majority of 10-year-old girls—81%—fear being
fat,” (“Women's Body Image and BMI,” par.47) and half of the surveyed girls in fifth through
12
th
grade admitted the images presented in magazines invoked the desire to lose weight. As we
turn the pages of our favorite magazines or gaze upon television and movies, the root of fat
phobia becomes understandable. Magazines, television shows, and movies are full of suggestions
that being overweight is unsatisfactory and that people, particularly women, should strive to be
thin. If someone is considered “fat,” being content with that fatness is unacceptable. Dieting,
exercise, and clean eating are expected behaviors from overweight individuals. Sarah Walker,
the author of the novel Dietland, discusses the backlash she received after positively portraying
her 300-pound body. Walker states, “since I dared not only to write this story, but also to appear
in public as a fat woman myself, refusing to apologize for my existence or to hide my body in a
burlap sack, I became an unwitting ambassador for the revolutionary idea that there is nothing
wrong with being fat and female” (2016, par.8). Why is it taboo for her to love her body
regardless of its size?
The correlation between body image and the visual representation of the thin ideal within
advertisements, social media, and marketing is astounding. However, discussions regarding the
effect of the written word and the toxicity created as a result of those words are rare. The use of
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words, especially in relation to an image, can have immense power on how body types are
perceived. This perception can be either good or bad.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “toxicity” as “containing or being poisonous
material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation” (“Toxicity”). Many of
the words described throughout this thesis (i.e., fit, toned, health, slim) may seem harmless upon
first glance. However, these words have established secondary meanings which often lead
individuals to rash and potentially life-threatening behaviors. Words used to describe various
body types within advertisements, articles, and social media outlets—particularly larger body
types—can have a poisonous effect on a person’s self-esteem and body image. Among the
dangers of these “toxic words” are eating disorders, depression, body dissatisfaction, low self-
esteem, and in some cases, death. Sadly, society pushing forward an ideal body type is nothing
new and will likely persist. Therefore, this thesis will demonstrate that these words have
established a secondary toxic meaning and thus have themselves become toxic words as well as
provide public relations, advertising, and marketing practitioners with various recommendations
for talking about and portraying people’s, particularly women’s, bodies. It is crucial that the
public relations, advertising, and marketing practitioners who create content understand the
power of the words and images they create regarding body image because the toxicity of these
words leads to destructive effects.
Body Image Throughout the Ages
Exploring the definition of what constitutes an “ideal” body image is fascinating because
it changes from generation to generation. Although a thin body is ideal one generation, a toned,
lean, muscular body is ideal the next generation. What were the turning points in each time
period?
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1960s: Ideal Body Image—Slenderness
The 1960s were defined by the distinct look and body of Twiggy, a popular fashion
model during the time period. She was 5’8” but only 112 pounds, had a skinny frame, lacked
curves, wore her hair short, and had long legs and a “boyish” look (“Women’s Body Image and
BMI”). The 1960s were drastically different than the ideal body image prevalent in the 1950s.
Just one decade before, the “busty, voluptuous hourglass look was prized, as exhibited by models
such as Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly” (“Women’s Body Image and BMI,” par.14). In the
1960s, that all went out the window. Slender, thin, and androgynous bodies became desired. This
“new form of beauty abandoned all curves and any hint of a mature look, instead appearing
almost prepubescent”

(“Women’s Body Image and BMI,” par 18). Twiggy has since spoken out
about her role in perpetuating the thin ideal. In 2010 she told the Huffington Post, “I was a very,
very skinny model in the 60s, but naturally...that’s what I looked like. I ate. I always said I ate,
and I looked like my dad who was very skinny, so I think that’s genetic...if you are 17 years old
and you are 5-foot-11, the chances are you’re going to be thin” (Moss 2011, par.2).
The switch to the thin ideal in the 1960s was evident in both clothing trends and
advertisements. Shrunken shift dresses without the prior era’s cinched waistlines that emphasized
the hourglass shape became trendy, and the everyday wardrobe was much less constricting (Hart
2015). However, that freedom came with a price. A slim body and flat stomach were often
prerequisites for wearing these clothes. To acquire this ideal body, women felt pressured to diet.
It was during this time that companies like Weight Watchers surfaced, and a record number of
prescriptions for amphetamines were prescribed for weight loss (Hart 2015). Though the 1960s
were dominated by the thin ideal, perpetuated by models such as Lesley Lawson (Twiggy) and
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Jean Shrimpton (also referred to as “the Shrimp”), a full-figured hourglass ideal also persisted
thanks to actresses like Jane Fonda and Sophia Loren (Hart 2015).
Advertisements played a significant role in perpetuating the ideal body image. During the
1960s, advertisements were filled with slim, long-legged women. A prime example is an
advertisement selling the Little Fibber Contour Bra and the Concentrate Girdle from Warner
Slim Wear Lingerie. The advertisement includes a photo of a pear with the caption: “This is no
shape for a girl” (“Vintage Gender Advertisements of the 1960s”). The language included in the
article says, “too much of a bottom and too little top: Warner’s can reshape you” (“Vintage
Gender Advertisements of the 1960s”). The advertisement negatively portrays curves and
encourages its readers to buy the bra and girdle to obtain a “proportioned body.” See Figure 1
(“Vintage Gender Advertisements of the 1960s”).

[Figure 1: Warner Slim Lingerie Advertisement.]
Though the relative lack of cultural sensitivity during the 1960s may explain the reason
such a degrading advertisement was considered acceptable at the time, Gold’s Gym Dreamland
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in Cairo, Egypt used a similar ad in 2016. Gold’s Gym’s advertisement featured a photo of a pear
with the same tagline, “This is no shape for a girl” (Griner 2016, par.1) to encourage females to
sign up for gym memberships. See Figure 2 (Webber, 2016).

[Figure 2: Gold’s Gym Advertisement]
Another 1960s manufacturer calling for a slim physique was Maidenform, which released
an advertisement selling its new underwear collection. Maidenform’s advertisement encouraged
women to buy skinny chemises, feminine looking bras, and girlish petite-slips to slim down
(LaPorte 2016). Their advertisement implied that by slimming down, women will appear “more
attractive” (LaPorte 2016). See Figure 3 (LaPorte 2016).
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[Figure 3: Maidenform Advertisement]
Considering the toxicity of these advertisements, which are representations of the ideals
of the day, it is perhaps unsurprising that this era also saw a record number of amphetamines
being sold to women for weight loss (Rasmussen 2008). Diet pills were distributed by “doctors
and weight loss clinics, many of which were essentially subsidiaries of off-brand diet pill
manufacturers” (Rasmussen 2008, par.22). According to The End of the Rainbow May Be
Tragic: Scandal of the Diet Pills, McBee “placed the number of amphetamine tablets consumed
annually via this channel at 2 billion” (qtd. in Rasmussen 2008, par.22) a year. However, diet
pills often included mixtures of barbiturates and high doses/untested combinations of drugs that
resulted in horrible side effects (Blakemore 2017). Amphetamines were known to elevate blood
pressure, activate a stimulant-induced psychosis that included hallucination, paranoia, and/or
delusion, and often led to dependence (Blakemore 2017). If amphetamines were known to create
such horrendous side effects, why were doctors prescribing them in such high doses? Sadly, it
was for money. According to John Swann’s paper “Rainbow Diet Pills in Medical Practice,
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Industry, and Regulation, 1938 to 1968,” the “doctors could pay $71 for 100,000 amphetamine
tablets and sell them for $12,000” (qtd. in Rasmussen 2008, par.24). With such a cash incentive,
many diet doctors were more than happy to sell these addictive pills to their patients. Doctors
would exploit the deleterious feelings their patients had regarding their bodies to get rich,
thereby violating their Hippocratic oath to do no harm. The welfare of a doctor’s patients should
always come first and any actions to the contrary are immoral at best and criminal at worst.
1970s: Ideal Body Image—Thin
The poisonous effects of idealizing women’s body image continued into the 1970s, albeit
in an altered form. Countless women who attempted to achieve and maintain the thin ideal
suffered adverse health effects. During the 1970s, an eating disorder known as anorexia-nervosa
first became an epidemic. This disease is characterized by dramatic weight loss and “difficulties
maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals,
distorted body image” (“Anorexia Nervosa,” par.1). Those suffering from anorexia will exhibit a
restriction of both calories and the types of food they consume (“Anorexia Nervosa”). Many
people with anorexia also “exercise compulsively, purge via vomiting and laxatives, and/or binge
eat” (“Anorexia Nervosa,” par.1). Karen Carpenter, a prominent singer in the 1970s, brought
mainstream awareness of anorexia as she was known widely to diet to the point of starvation
levels (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). Carpenter did eventually die of complications related
to anorexia in 1983 (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”).
Diet pills filled with amphetamines continued their popularity during the 1970s. It is
estimated that “at least 9.7 million Americans were past-year users of amphetamines” during the
1970s (Rasmussen 2008, par.26). The methodological appendix, part 10 estimated that 970,000
users met some criteria of dependence and 320,000 users were considered addicts in 1970
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(Rasmussen 2008). Stricter laws regarding prescriptions were passed in the1970s, allowing the
use of amphetamines for weight loss to finally decline (Rasmussen 2008).
Popular clothing trends during the 1970s also reflected the ideal body image of the
decade. It was the time of body-clinging jumpsuits, bellbottoms, and disco. However, to look
“attractive” in these trendy clothes, women were “still pressured to maintain a slim-hipped, flat-
stomached body” (Hart 2015, par.12). The clothes worn during the 1970s were created using
synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and spandex (Hart 2015). It was the fashion trends of the
1970s that kept women striving to maintain a lean torso.
Additionally, advertisements for Virginia Slim cigarettes became popular during the
1970s. Virginia Slims cigarettes targeted women as a method to lose weight (Hart 2015); its
advertisements depicted women partaking in a plethora of activities. However, the
advertisements all possess a common denominator—the models used within them are all slender
and accompanied with a tagline that references the skinniness of the cigarettes in comparison to
those targeted at men (Beltran 2012). See Figure 4 (Beltran 2012).
[Figure 4: Virginia Slims Advertisement]
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The article “New Year’s Resolution: Be Slim in ’70” was yet another example of content
celebrating weight-loss, promoting a 24-page booklet bound within Family Circle Magazine
called Basic Guide for Weight Control. According to the article, the booklet contained various
tips on how to maintain a proper weight (Zargaj-Reynolds 2013). Just in case people forgot the
proper weight for their height, a diagram was included to remind them. See Figure 5 (Zargaj-
Reynolds 2013). Encouraging a women’s negative body image and capitalizing from it seems
more important than the health and well-being of the woman herself.

[Figure 5: New Year’s Resolution: Be Slim in ’70 Advertisement]
Body mass index (BMI) is a standardized ratio based on calculating a person’s height and
weight (“Calculate Your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator”). The average BMI for women during
the 1970s was 24.9 (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”), which is at the higher end of the
“normal weight” range. Women had difficulty obtaining the unrealistic body types put in front of
them, with celebrities such as Morgan Fairchild (who had a BMI of 18, which is considered
clinically “underweight” by the NIH) or Joni Mitchell (who had a BMI of 20.5) as role models
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(“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). With a substantial gap between the BMI of the average
woman and the celebrities they admired, it is not surprising that diet pills and anorexia-nervosa
were normalized during this decade.
1980s: Ideal Body Image—Thin and Fit
The 1980s brought a whole new complication to the thin ideal. The emphasis on fitness
exploded during this decade (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). In the 1980s, “toned but not
overly muscular bodies were now prized, and aerobic exercise shows and videotapes became a
widespread trend” (“Women’s Body Image and BMI,” par.23).

Individuals who simultaneously
possessed both slim and robust bodies during the 1980s were considered attractive, and those
that didn’t were expected to work toward that goal.
In media and advertisements, ideal women were depicted slenderer and taller than their
1970s counterparts. It was the age of Supermodels like Elle MacPherson, Naomi Campbell, and
Linda Evangelista, who dominated the media and music videos of the 1980s due to their tall,
slim, and toned bodies (Hart 2015). According to Rehab.com, “in the '80s, 60% of Playboy
magazine models weighed 15% less than a healthy average weight for their size” (“Women’s
Body Image and BMI,” par.25).
In the 1980s, Jane Fonda catalyzed a fitness revolution. It began in 1979 when she
opened an aerobics workout studio in Los Angeles (Harrington 2015, par.3). The popularity of
the studio led to her publishing her best-selling fitness book Jane Fonda’s Workout Book, which
landed on the New York Best Seller List (Harrington 2015, par.3). Her book then inspired her
home workout video that, in total, sold 17 million copies (Harrington 2015, par.3)
The fashion trends of the decade reflected this fitness craze and included headbands,
tights, leggings, leg warmers, short skirts, spandex, and revealing clothing in any other stretchy
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material (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). Olivia Newton’s music video for her song
“Physical” perfectly depicts the popular trends during this decade and the desired body type.
Compounding the notion of the ideal shape was the return of shoulder pads from the 1940s.
Additionally, many fashion trends during the 1980s were unforgiving to bodies that were not
within the ideal.
Advertisements during the 1980s were very fitness oriented, particularly emphasizing
weight loss and obtaining a “hot body.” The fitness craze was so intense during the 1980s that
objects were even sold around the concept of fitness. For example, TDK sold its cassettes with
the tagline: “Hot Bodies Need Hot Cassettes” (“TDK / Hot Bodies Need Hot Cassettes”).
Accompanying this tagline was a muscular man and a fit woman exercising while listening to a
portable stereo/cassette player (“TDK / Hot Bodies Need Hot Cassettes”). See Figure 6 (“TDK /
Hot Bodies Need Hot Cassettes”).

[Figure 6: TDK Advertisement]
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During the 1980s, exercise trends like Jazzercise exploded. The advertisements for
Jazzercise classes often showcased the thin and fit body type that was prized during this decade.
Advertisements were often accompanied with the message that participating in Jazzercise would
result in obtaining a desirable body. For example, an advertisement for Jazzercise founder Judi
Sheppard Missett’s class said: “If you want to be fit, look great and have fun getting in shape,
join a Jazzercise class today” (Fitness). See Figure 7 (Fitness).

[Figure 7: Jazzercise Advertisement]
Though the advertisement is encouraging people to sign-up for Jazzercise, it implies a
correlation between being fit and looking great. In both the advertisement for TDK and
Jazzercise, it is clear that a beautiful body during the 1980s equated to a fit and thin woman and a
muscular and fit man.
Once more, the promotion of an idealized body led to toxic outcomes. According to the
National Eating Disorders Association, “rates of bulimia increased during the 1980s and early
1990s” (“Eating Disorder Statistics” 2016, par.30). Bulimia is characterized by repeated
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instances of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors that are meant to purge the body
of what was consumed (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” 2017). Compensatory behaviors include
“vomiting, misusing laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, and/or the use of any
drugs, illicit, prescription and/or ‘over the counter’ inappropriately for weight control” (“What is
Bulimia Nervosa?” 2017, par.6).
The average American woman’s BMI during the 1980s was 25, which increased slightly
from the average BMI of 24.9 during the 1970s (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). However,
many celebrities, such as Bo Derek and Cheryl Tiegs, had BMIs in the 17.6 to 20.4 range
(“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). Due to the incredible gap between average BMIs and
celebrity BMIs, the pressure to maintain an ideal weight and the expectation to be toned without
becoming too muscular made it difficult, if not impossible, for many women to resist body image
insecurity.
1990s: Ideal Body Image—Heroin Chic
Thanks to the popularity of Pamela Anderson on “Baywatch,” the 1990s ushered in a
time in which women were now expected to be both thin and big breasted (“Women’s Body
Image and BMI”). However, this began to change later in the 1990s as the high-fashion industry
began to emphasize the “waif look” and “heroin chic” (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). In
retaliation to the fit and toned look of the 1980s, models emphasized thinness and a bony
appearance (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”).
The heroin chic look was characterized by “pale skin, dark circles under the eyes, and
extreme thinness, much like a heroin addict” (Lutz 2012, par.2). Heroin chic was condemned by
former president Bill Clinton in 1997 after the overdose of 20-year-old Davide Sorrenti, who was
famous for photographing his models looking drugged and haggard to emphasize the heroin chic
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and waif look (Wren 1997). Clinton stated that “the glorification of heroin is not creative, it’s
destructive…It’s not beautiful; it’s ugly. And this is not about art; it’s about life and death. And
glorifying death is not good for any society” (Wren 1997, par.3).
Kate Moss, a prominent supermodel during the 1990s, has been dubbed as the woman
who ushered in the era of the waif (Hart 2015). She was 5'7" with a thin, petite frame. Her
appearance in the 1993 Calvin Klein campaigns defined the “heroin chic” look

(“Women’s Body
Image and BMI”). Moss is famous for saying: “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” (Wardrop
2009, par. 2). A popular motto amongst pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia groups (“Thinspiration”
2016).
The toxicity of the heroin chic and waif looks was palpable. Eating disorders, like
bulimia, continued to increase throughout the early 1990s. Additionally, actual heroin use
increased due to the glorification of the drug, perpetuated by the heroin chic look. The
“Monitoring the Future Study 1975–1997” found the annual prevalence of heroin increased
among twelfth graders from 0.5 percent in 1979 to 1.1 percent in 1995 (Johnston, Lloyd D, et al.
1998).
Psychologically, heroin has a detrimental effect on the human brain. When someone
injects or snorts heroin, the drug binds to the molecules of naturally occurring opioid receptors in
the brain that are responsible for processing pain and pleasure (“The Mental Effects of Heroin”).
As a result, when the heroin binds to the opioid receptors, it creates “a surge of euphoria and
pleasure, giving way to a feeling of supreme tranquility that can last for hours” (“The Mental
Effects of Heroin,” par.5). The euphoric feeling associated with the use of heroin makes it easily
addictive. Heroin addicts are constantly looking for their next fix of the drug. Due to both the
tranquilizing effects of heroin and the constant need to obtain the high heroin provides, many
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addicted users withdraw from social activity, social obligations, or general responsibilities (“The
Mental Effects of Heroin”). However, it is important to note that not all users of heroin become
addicts. Nevertheless, it is perplexing the fashion industry would encourage and glorify such a
drug for the sake of selling clothes.
In the 1990s, the sought-after fashion trends included clothes that emphasized a slim and
slender physical, almost androgynous frame. Popular trends consisted of “slouchy jeans,
oversized fraying sweaters, and even unisex fragrances” (Hart 2015, par.17). Calvin Klein
advertisements were famous for perpetuating the “heroin chic” look. Models in the
advertisements were skinny, sported blank facial expressions, had dark circles under their eyes,
and appeared as if they were high on heroin. See Figure 8 (Weatherford 2017).

[Figure 8: Calvin Klein Advertisement]
Yet again, women in the 1990s were handed another impossible standard to live up to
with the development of the heroin chic and waif looks. Destructive fashion trends such as these
are incredibly dangerous because the fashion industry has a far-reaching influence on body
image that encroaches on overall female confidence. However, if the fashion and modeling
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industries are aware of their impact on social trends, why do they glorify a dangerous drug and
an unhealthy thin ideal?
Despite the heroin chic look during the 1990s, the average American woman’s BMI at
the time was 26.3. However, people compared their own bodies to those of celebrities and
models with BMIs of 17.5 or 19.6, such as Tara Reid and Penelope Cruz, respectively
(“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). Once more, women were idolizing unattainable bodies
(“Women’s Body Image and BMI”).
2000s: Ideal Body Image—Barbie
“Personally, I think the 2000s were the worst for women. Airbrushing was/is able to
transform people into being what the media wants” (Boyle 2013, par.32). With the power to
transform came the ability to set yet another unrealistic body standard. However, this time people
gazed upon bodies that didn’t even exist but were portrayed as being normal.
Abs and airbrushed tans dominated the early 2000s (Hart 2015). Giselle Bündchen, a
Brazilian supermodel, possessed a body that was considered the epitome of perfection
throughout the decade. Rolling Stone magazine even named her “the most beautiful person in the
world” (Hart 2015). According to online experiments conducted by the University of
Regensburg, four body types existed during the early 2000s that qualified as ideal:
(1) The average women’s figure with ‘standard measures’ (The girl next door, Britney
Spears, and Jennifer Aniston); (2) classical 90-60-90-Type, with an hourglass figure (The
curvy temptress, Beyoncé, Salma Hayek); (3) the sportive type: masculine, tight pelvis,
but big breasts (Serena Williams and other athletic women); and (4) the ‘Barbie type’:
thin, big breasts, tight pelvis, long legs (The supermodel Barbie, Angelina Jolie, Tyra
Banks). (Korsnes 2013, par.6)
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In the early 2000s, Photoshop was used to alter bodies into flawless and unrealistic
versions of themselves. The problems with Photoshop lies within the fact that people seeing
these images were unaware the models were heavily photoshopped; people truly believed the
human body looked naturally flawless. A marketing research company known as One Poll,
surveyed 2,000 women between the ages of 18 to 65 on behalf of the UK clothing line New
Look to obtain information concerning female body confidence (Dries 2013). According to the
survey, “15% of 18 to 24-year olds said they thought that models in magazines actually looked
like their photos when walking around every day” (Dries 2013, par.2).
There are some pretty horrific examples of Photoshop abuse throughout the ages. In
1989, Oprah Winfrey was photoshopped to look thinner and younger when she was on the cover
of TV Guide. Shockingly, Winfrey’s head was photoshopped onto the body of Ann-Margret, a
Swedish-American actress (“Going Too Far with the Winfrey Diet” 1989). Neither Winfrey nor
Ann-Margret approved the decision before it was published (“Going Too Far with the Winfrey
Diet” 1989). Winfrey is a beautiful woman, so why did the magazine feel the need to alter her
body so drastically? See Figure 9 (“Strange Hoaxes and Pranks - Infamous Photoshop”):

[Figure 9: Photoshopped Image of Oprah Winfrey]
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Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet also was significantly photoshopped when she was
featured on the cover of GQ Magazine in 2003. See Figure 10 (“Biggest Celebrity Photoshop
Scandals”). GQ had so heavily lengthened and trimmed down Winslet that she expressed her
anger and frustration by releasing a statement saying: “The retouching is excessive. I do not look
like that and more importantly I don't desire to look like that. I actually have a Polaroid that the
photographer gave me on the day of the shoot…I can tell you they’ve reduced the size of my legs
by about a third. For my money it looks pretty good the way it was taken” (Stewart 2009,
par.19).

[Figure 10: Photoshopped Image of Kate Winslet]
Faith Hill’s Redbook July 2007 cover is another example of Photoshop abuse. See Figure
11 (“Advertisements - Media & Self-Esteem”). What makes this Photoshop mishap concerning
is that it’s not considered a mishap. The 11 different alterations used on Hill’s cover was
considered typical editing for covers during the decade (Stewart 2009). Why did magazines and
publications feel the need to photoshop the real and beautiful bodies of these women into bodies
that didn’t exist? Why wasn’t the real body beautiful enough?
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[Figure 11: Photoshopped Image of Faith Hill]
The Photoshop era, filled with fake and unrealistic bodies, brought its own toxic effects.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in the United States alone “the
number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed on youths 18 or younger more than tripled
over a 10-year period, to 205,119 in 2007 from 59,890 in 1997” (Sweeney 2009, par.5). Since
the body type considered beautiful during the early 2000s was “an almost unhealthily thin and
bony frame, combined with a substantial bust,” it is not surprising that the most common
surgeries were liposuction and breast augmentations (“Women’s Body Image and BMI,” par.34).
Between 1997 and 2007, liposuction procedures rose from 2,504 to 9,295 and breast
augmentations increased from 1,326 to 7,882 (Sweeney 2009).
In the 2000s, the average American woman had a BMI of 27.5. Yet they were comparing
their bodies to women like Keira Knightly, who had a BMI of 17.2, and Natalie Portman, who
had a BMI of 19.5 (“Women’s Body Image and BMI”). Countless models and actresses during
the decade “maintained a super-thin look” compared to the average women in the early 2000s
(“Women’s Body Image and BMI,” par.31). In a time period where people could not tell reality
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from Photoshop, it is not surprising that more people resorted to altering their bodies through
surgical means to obtain the unobtainable standards set in magazines.
2010s: Ideal Body Image—Retaliation and Body Positivity
The 2010s have shown an amazing pushback from women of all sizes who are calling out
the fashion and modeling industries for perpetuating an unobtainable ideal. It is the era of the
body positive movement, which “seeks to liberate fatness from the imaginative shackles of
ugliness and illness; to reconstruct and broaden the popular terms of physical wellbeing and
beauty” (Andropoulos 2017, par.5). No matter a person’s size, small or large, the body positive
movement truly aims to encourage “people to accept and appreciate their bodies, irrespective of
how closely they approximate—or fail to approximate—normative beauty standards”
(Andropoulos 2017, par.6).
The past eight years ushered in a wave of improvements featuring media representations
of all body types: Tess Holliday, the first size 22 supermodel; Ashley Graham, the first plus-size
model featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated; and 27-year-old Nadia Aboulhosn, a curvy
model who was depicted on the cover of Women’s Running. It is the decade where women like
Amy Pence-Brown stand in the middle of a busy promenade wearing only a bikini to stand-up
for and promote self-love. In an interview on the blog Plus Size Birth she comments,
It was organic and electric and the humanity in the air that day was palpable. Everyone in
the market knew something extraordinary was happening. I was so lucky I had the
forethought to ask a photographer to stealthily shoot from a distance because she
captured that beauty in a really thoughtful and honest way. Her images combined with
my words in a blog post, and a little video we created one night using the iMovie app,
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touched people deep in their hearts and souls and continues to do so in substantial ways
(Mclellan, par.3).
Although American society is moving forward in strides, it still has a long way to go. Even now,
when self-love and body acceptance are being promoted, body shaming is still present, rates of
eating disorders are still rising, and there is still a lack of representation of all body types
throughout mainstream media. Not only is the visual representation of all body types still
woefully underrepresented, but the text remains filled with implications that thin is good and fat
is bad.
The Corpulence Language
For this thesis, the author conducted a content analysis of 41 consumer magazines
published over a three-month period, and it became clear that subtle language was being used in
both ads and content when discussing various body types, especially larger ones. This verbiage,
henceforth known as the “corpulence language,” is riddled with subtle implications that
individuals, particularly women, should strive to adhere to a certain body type that society
considers beautiful and ideal. The author divided examples of this language into three
subsections: insulting, blatant, and subtle. The examples provided below are not from the 1900s;
rather, they are from magazines published between November 2017 and January 2018.
Additionally, the author used Talkwalker, a marketing analysis software program, to analyze this
language in greater depth on select social media channels, traditional media, and print.
Insulting
Muffin-Top
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• “Got a muffin top? You can probably blame mom. Carry weight around your middle can
be closely tied to your genes” (Health Nov. 2017, p. 60).
• “Said buh-bye to her muffin top” (Health Nov. 2017, p. 52).

[Figure 12: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 52]
Blatant
Obese
• “Eat More Slowly! People who take their time are less likely to become obese” (People
15 Jan. 2018, p. 89)
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.
[Figure 13: People, 15 Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 89]
• “Kristin lost 105 lbs.! Warned she was on the verge of morbid obesity, Kristin Witzack
decided to try an oil-free, plant-based approach” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, p.21).
• “Scientists suspect that social networks influence what people perceive as normal and
acceptable—if you see your high school friends getting heavier, you feel like it’s OK if
you do too. A large study found that if participants had a friend who became obese, their
chance of becoming obese rose by 57 percent” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health Guide
Oct. 2017, p. 88).
Overweight
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• “In fact, researchers asked a group of overweight and obese women either to just stick to
a diet plan or to eat better and follow a workout program that targeted the abs” (Health
Nov. 2017, p.43).
• “If you are significantly overweight, studies show that losing as little as 5 percent to 7
percent of your body weight can have an impact” (Health Jan. 2018, p.70).
• “I was the only overweight person in the family, and my mom used to say things to me
like, ‘You’d be so pretty if you were skinny’” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.72).
Pounds
• “Shed 20 pounds” (Health Nov. 2017, p. 51).
• “More than 60 pounds melted away” (Health Nov. 2017, p.51).
• “By 2015, I was 224 pounds, exhausted, depressed, and looking for a change” (Health
Dec. 2017, p.47).
• “Every year on January 1 we make commitments to do better. We declare lofty intentions
(Become a gym rat! Drop 20 pounds!)” (Health Jan. 2018, p. 74).
• “When you want a quick fix—The Bikini-Emergency-Plan—if you want to lose some
pounds quickly for a special event or a trip to the beach, the Almased Bikini-Emergency
Plan can help” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.117).
• “Lose 5, 10, 15 pounds. Keep ‘Em Off Forever” (Women’s Health Nov 2017, p.1).
• “Soup Off 24 Lbs. a week!” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, p.1).
• “Sleep to…lose 10 pounds” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide,
p.100).
Belly Fat
• “Blast Belly Flab in 15” (Health Jan. 2017, p.1).
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• “A new year means another opportunity to make strides toward finally getting the body
you’ve always wanted. The top priority for most women: the belly. That little pudge
seems to drive us all crazy. That’s why this month is all about moves that will help cinch
the waist” (Health Jan. 2018, p.32).
• “Blast Bloat Now: All blown up after the holidays? These tasty drinks will help you—
and your belly—bounce back.” (Health Jan. 2018, p.97).
• “Erase Hidden Belly Fat” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health Guide Oct. 2017, p.1).
• “Lose Your Belly and Never Diet Again” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food,
p.1).
• “Any physical activity that you enjoy will help get junk off your brain—and belly”
(Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, p.33).
• “Before you order, arm yourself with this buyer’s guide, or your belly may pay the price”
(Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, p.30).
• “Bye- Bye Belly (butt & thighs): Swimsuit season will be here before you know it” (Eat
This: Not That Spring 2018, pp. 74-75).
Skinny
• “When I was really skinny, I wanted to kill myself. I was miserable, like, inside and out,
for four years of my life. But no one cared, because aesthetically you make sense”
(People 13 Nov. 2017, p.20).
• “As a young man he was very skinny and wiry” (Vanity Fair Nov. 2017)
• “Tara’s scary skinny figure. With her bony spine, stick-thin legs and protruding shoulder
blades, 42-year-old Tara Reid’s skeletal body has fans concerned and close friends
terrified for her” (InTouch 15 Jan. 2018, p.40).
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• Regarding Wendy Williams: “The 53-year-old hit the beach in September looking crazy
skinny (except for her giant breast implants)” (InTouch 15 Jan. 2018, p.41).
Thin
• “Kelly Clarkson knows people talk about her weight. ‘Even on American Idol I was
really thin, but I was bigger than the other girls on the show so people would say things
to me” (People 13 Nov. 2017, p.19).
• “In 2007, she admitted she was bulimic for a short time in her early teens because she felt
she’d get better parts in her school musicals if she was thinner” (People 13 Nov. 2017,
p.20).
• “Think Thin” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, p.23).
Subtle
Fat
• “Blast that Fat! Break Through Your Weight Loss Plateau” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb.
2018, p. 15).
• “Find dieting too slow? Keep your thermostat between 60˚Fand 67˚F at night. Cooler
temperatures deepen sleep and speed fat burning!” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, p.13).
• “The Gentle Way to Destroy Fat: UltraShape® Power is a non-invasive ultrasound
treatment that destroys stubborn fat in your abdomen, in an easy walk-in, walk out
procedure” (InStyle Jan. 2018, p.65).
• “Icy to The Core: You can burn fat through working out. But how about freezing it to
death?” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.23).
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•
[Figure 14: Women’s Health, Dec. 2017 Issue, Page 23]
• “Soaring confidence and a rock-hard body? Now Yours! The 28-Day Fat Torch DVD
comes packed with five high-octane routines” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, p.128).
• “These six mood-lifting, fat frying workouts will get you motivated and on track toward
building your best body ever” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide,
p.16).
• “Melt Stubborn Fat From your Belly First” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, p.98).
Shape
• Regarding a photo of a woman who is very toned and thin: “Best Shape” (Health Nov.
2017, p.41).
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[Figure 15: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 41]
• “Tip-Top Shape! No days off for these famous fitness buffs” (US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018,
p.20).
• “Get back in shape: Lose 20, 30, 40 pounds or more” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018,
p.1).
Slimming Down
• “Your Stay-Slim Guide to the next 31 days: A no-guilt, zero deprivation, totally doable
plan for celebrating the season without packing on pounds” (Health Dec. 2017, p.48).
• “Gut Check: A stronger, slimmer core starts here” (Health Jan. 2018, p.31).

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[Figure 16: Health, Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 31]
• “Half their size! Meet six incredible women who dropped half their body weight! Plus:
celeb slimdowns and 100 ways to be healthier in the New Year!” (People 15 Jan. 2018,
p.5).
• “Sleep your way happier and healthier! Would you believe you can boost your mood,
slim down, slow aging, sharpen your brain and protect your bones as you sleep”
(Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, p.12).
• “Slim, Fit & Fab” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, p.56).
• “Take control of your diet in these simple ways and you’ll slim down, gain energy, and
boost your mood in no time” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, p.9).
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• “25 Delicious Slimming Recipes! Eat, Drink & Still Shrink!” (Eat This: Not That Spring
2018, p.1).
Weight Loss
• “So after years of feeling drained, sluggish, and stuck in a weight loss plateau, I was
ready to jump in headfirst” (Health Nov. 2017, p.37).
• “That was 20 years ago, and the Mindful Vegan author has maintained her weight loss
ever since. She just feels ‘lighter’” (Health Nov. 2017, p.53).
• “I got my strong body back! Medical issues led former athlete Karen Jackson to gain big,
but a new kind of coach helped her win at weight loss” (Health Dec. 2017, p.47).
• Regarding a photo of a thin, fit female: “Find your happy weight” (Health Jan. 2018,
p.72).
• “Weight loss is a journey that begins with small victories like dropping a dress size or
losing a few pounds” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.44).
• “Losing weight is also about gaining self-esteem and gaining respect for yourself”
(People 15 Jan. 2018, p.77).
• “Mama June: How I kept off 300 lbs.! One year after undergoing a radical surgical
makeover, the reality star is keeping off the weight and enjoying her new life: ‘I’m truly
happy’” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.80).
• “Gabourey Sidibe: Since weight-loss surgery in ’16, the Oscar-nominated actress, 34, has
been working with a trainer and nutritionist. ‘I love my body now,’ she told People”
(People 15 Jan. 2018, p.83).
• “It wasn’t about the weight that we lost but the life we gained” (People 15 Jan. 2018,
p.86).
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[Figure 17: People, 15, Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 86]
• “If you have struggled for years—or maybe your entire life—to feel confident and strong
in your body and lose the weight, Take It Off, Keep it Off is the plan that will have you
regularly rocking skinny jeans and crushing 10-K’s in just a few months” (Prevention
Guide: It’s Time For Real Food, p.3).
• Regarding Casey Gray in a Bio-Oil advertisement: “I am always fighting with my weight,
and as a result have large stretch marks which can be embarrassing” (Cosmopolitan Jan.
2018, p.87).
Curvy
• “In this new series, 12 curvy brides-to-be find the gowns they’ve always dreamed of—
maybe only dreamed of” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.38).
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• “You know Ashley Graham—She’s been shouting from the rooftop for curvy girls to be
included in fashion for years now” (Glamour Jan. 2018, p.71).
• “The curvy beauty admits to having ‘a fluctuating body type’” (InTouch 15 Jan. 2018,
p.43).
Diet
• “It has had me feeling great the whole time I have been dropping weight with sustained
high levels of energy. It really put a stop to my cravings for junk food and has allowed
me to keep my diet clean—Gabby from New York” (Health Nov. 2017, p.37).
• “When Tam’s husband first suggested the couple go Paleo, she didn’t have high hopes
for the diet but knew she needed to make some changes: ‘I just felt so terrible and hungry
all the time, so I decided to try it’” (Health Nov. 2017, p.52).
• “Switching to poultry helped her get down to 135 pounds, healthy for her five-two frame.
Nope she doesn’t miss her old diet one bit: ‘I don’t even crave bacon anymore’” (Health
Nov. 2017, p.52).
• “A veggie-packed diet can help you manage your weight and keep blood sugar stable”
(Health Dec. 2017, p.24).
• “This is so much more than a diet. It doesn’t even feel like I’m dieting. I keep losing
weight. So, it’s kind of an awesome win-win” (People 6 Nov. 2017, p.78).
• “More Success Stories! With the help of diet and exercise, these weight-loss champs
experienced life-changing results” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.77).
Tight Body
• “Everyone in their 20s should: Do sit-ups! It’ll tighten you up for a much looser future”
(Cosmopolitan Dec. 2017).
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• “A stronger, tighter body” (Health Dec. 2017, p.1).

[Figure 18: Health Dec. 2017 Issue Page 1]
• “Grab a buddy and earn a tighter, shapelier booty with this move from fitness pros – and
friends” (Cosmopolitan Jan. 2018, p.80).
• “A firm, lifted butt is seriously sexy” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout
Guide, p.74).
• “A tight backside does more than just look great: Strong glutes will help protect you from
injury” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, p.75).
Toned Body
• “Toned, Lean Legs? Yes, Please!” (Health Jan. 2018, p.12).
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[Figure 19: Health, Jan. 2018 Issue, Page 12]
• “Ready to shape up? Great! To get started, we’ve chosen a workout plan that proves you
don’t need to spend hours exercising, purchase a pricey gym membership, or own any
special equipment to get a tight, toned body” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018
Workout Guide, p.16).
• “Workouts for the areas you love to show off most: toned legs, a flat belly, and a tight
butt” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, p.61).
• “Barre workouts are gentle yet effective and can tone your whole body—fast”
(Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, p.60).
Lean
• “Lean and Sexy: Easy Moves That Flatten Your Abs” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, p.1).
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• “Lean and Sexy: Kris Kross will make ya…jump! jump! And so will this soaring
sequence that blasts cals and flattens your abs in just 15 minutes” (Women’s Health Nov.
2017, p.2).
• “Finally, end the process by visualizing a highly positive result, such as seeing yourself
lean and fit in your favorite jeans having fun with friends” (Eat This: Not That Spring
2018, p.14).
Flattering
• “Flattering Workout Wear: ‘My New Balance black workout legging that have mesh at
the knee. They make me feel feminine, but you can see the lines in your legs that are
strong’” (Health Dec. 2017, p.23).
• “The celestial print on the super-flattering high-waisted Reebok Lux Bold leggings ($55;
reebok.com) will have you dreaming big when it comes to you and your workout goals”
(Health Jan. 2018, p.46).
• “Shop Leisure: Buying or window-ing you wanna be comfy. This set is that plus form-
flattering” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, p.136).
• “That said, if you have a closet full of denim you can’t wear and you haven’t been that
size in a decade, your best bet is to clean out that space for new, more flattering clothes as
motivation to move on” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.34).
Eat Clean
• “Eat Clean This Year: No More Cravings, Beat Bloat” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy
2018 Workout Guide, p.1).
• “Eat Clean, less processed, more healthy” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food,
p.1)
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• “In short, clean eating is a simple way to stay lean, healthy, and feeling great”
(Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, p.10).
• “The easiest way to clean up your diet: The no.1 thing you can do for your health (and
your weight): Avoid sugar-loaded processed foods. We’ll show you how” (Prevention
Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, p.15).
• “Here, we help you navigate some of the most important ingredients in your diet and
ensure you have the best possible chance of eating clean and staying lean for good”
(Prevention Guide: It’s Time for Real Food, 19).
Body
• “Extra moisturizer and extra exercise—both keep mind and body grounded and beautiful
during the craze of the holiday season” (Elle Nov. 2017, p.23).
• Regarding a photo of woman who went from a size 22 to a size 6: “Looking good
Wadeanna!” (Health Nov. 2017, p.47).
• “Sculpt your body like a celeb” (Health Nov. 2017, p.48).
• “Embrace your body beautiful! Apothedermâ Stretch Mark Cream helps to improve
texture and discoloration. Whether stretch marks are new or old, red or silver,
Apothedermâ can help” (Health Dec. 2017, p.101).
Health—Weight
• “Losing 72 pounds helped Wadeana Williams learn to love living healthy—and be a
better mom” (Health Nov. 2017, p.47).
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[Figure 20: Health, Nov. 2017 Issue, Page 47]
• “That apple shape may be hazardous to your health, too, since it’s linked to a higher risk
of heart disease and diabetes” (Health Nov. 2017, p.60).
• Nutrisystem advertisement: “Jumpstart your weight loss and improve your health!”
(People 15 Jan. 2018, p.34).
• “Zantrex can help you take that first step on your weight-loss journey. If you start making
the lifestyle changes you’ve always wanted today, 2018 can be your healthiest and
happiest year ever” (People 15 Jan. 2018, p.44).
• “Healthy (And Filling) Snacks: Rachel Graham (@losinggravity) lost 90 pounds by
cooking nutritious, satiating recipes she found online” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017,
p.32).
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• “My hope is that this soup jumpstart will help you lose so much weight and feel so much
better that you’ll be permanently hooked on a way of eating proven to help you live the
longest and healthiest life possible” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, p.20).
• “As we embark on 2018, here are some simple lifestyle changes to make for weight loss
and better health” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, p.12).
Hot Body
• “Big Joy, Hot Abs!” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.1).

[Figure 21: Women’s Health, Dec. 2017 Issue, Page 1]
• “Hot Abs! Sculpt your core with the exact workout that landed Allison Brie such a tight
pack” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.2).
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• “She dropped more than 300 pounds and now Mama June Shannon is gaining
experience—in dating! When Mama June: From Not to Hot picks up, the reality star is
struggling to juggle her love life, her strict diet and her relationship with ex Sugar Bear”
(US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018, p.61).
• “Hot & Happy! Make good on your 2018 goals” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, p.1).
Flat Abs
• “Flat Abs. Glorious Glutes. Strong Arms. Get ‘em all with this multitasking move from
trainer David Kirsch, founder of New York City’s Madison Square Club and fitness guru
to everyone from J. Lo to CEOs. Got three minutes? Get ready for results” (Cosmopolitan
Nov. 2017).
• “J. Lo’s Fab Ab Secret” (Health Dec. 2017, p.16).
• “Here’s to a better version of you (and those abs!) in 2018” (Health Jan. 2018, p.32).
• “Flat Abs In 28 Days!” (Women’s Health Jan. 2018, p.1).
• “Flat Abs Fast! Killer legs! Tight Butt!” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout
Guide, p.1).
Fit
• “To get fit for her wedding, the blogger behind Carrots’n’Cake knew she needed to curb
her carb cravings, especially at breakfast time” (Health Nov. 2017, p.51).
• “How cute is Alison Brie?! Very. But make no mistake, the GLOW star is pretty damn
fierce too—and her energy? Contagious! Learn how she got this fit, this happy, this
confident” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.2).
• “Get Fit (Without Really Trying). Four small, no-stress habits to follow on the daily.
Rewards will follow” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.60).
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• “Slender, fit women can end up with a lower belly pooch due to underworked lower-
abdominal muscles” (Women’s Health Jan. 2018, p.62).
Miscellaneous
• “Repeat after us: Your body is fire year-round. But piling on all the sweaters (and all the
pasta) can make you feel disconnected from your figure…and sex life” (Cosmopolitan
Dec. 2017).
• “For jiggly bits: (1) Palmer’s Body Firming Sheet Mask ($6 for 2 masks at Walmart) is
infused with guarana seed extract to help improve firmness in targeted areas (think thighs
and upper arms)” (Health Jan. 2018, p.12).
• “Your resolution doesn’t end when your period starts.” –Tampax Ad- photo that
accompanies the ad is a larger girl looking at a set of stairs. (Health Jan. 2018, pg.19;
InStyle Jan. 2018, pg.43; Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, pg.87; Glamour Jan. 2018,
pg.51).
• “#GoYou. Get an active start to a better you” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.11).
• “Research indicates that a smaller waist and larger hip circumference acts as a magnet to
the opposite sex across most cultures and multiple generations” (Women’s Health Strong
& Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, p.77).
• “I was frustrated when my clothes didn’t fit. I felt even more upset when I got to the
party and realized I was the biggest one there. I decided then that enough was enough”
(Health Nov. 2017, p. 47).
• “Flabby Muscles: If you’ve got jiggly arms no matter how many biceps curls or triceps
dips you do, you may not be getting enough protein in your diet” (Reader’s Digest
Ultimate Health Guide Oct. 2017, p.93).
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The thin ideal is a perplexing societal fixation. While one may assume that the toxic
language used against body types, particularly larger body types, would be predominately blatant
and insulting in advertisements and magazines, surprisingly, the language was subtle. Insulting
comments towards larger body types is almost completely absent from the media. The single
most insulting term apparent in advertisements and magazines was “muffin top.” Muffin top is
an undesirable roll of fat that is visible over a pair of pants, particularly when pants are too tight.
Significantly, there were two particularly damaging examples of the use of the phrase muffin
top:
• Said buh-bye to her muffin top” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.52).
• “Got a muffin top? You can probably blame mom. Carry weight around your middle can
be closely tied to your genes” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.60).
When muffin tops were discussed in correlation to weight, it was rarely in a positive
context. In the content analysis, individuals expressed either frustration or increased self-
confidence as a result of losing the muffin top when referencing the term. Content analysis also
revealed individuals felt less attractive when they had a muffin top as it is an indicator of being
overweight. Social media examples retrieved from Talkwalker revealed a similar sentiment.

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[Figure 22: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Muffin Top]
Occasionally, the language in the ads and articles described various body types was
blatant. The word obesity is a prime example. Obesity was always discussed in terms of disease.
Additionally, magazines, articles, and advertisements often focused on the actions obese
individuals could take to lose weight and become “healthy.” The January 2018 issue of Health
makes a financial argument by reporting the amount of money an obese person could save by
losing weight: “$15,925: the average amount (in the form of medical costs) an obese 50-year-old
could save over her lifetime by dropping to a healthy weight” (16). In People January 2018, the
authors advise readers to eat slower, so they are less likely to become obese. Furthermore, the
Ultimate Health Guide of Readers Digest, makes the argument that obesity is contagious (2018).
The exact words used were “scientists suspect that social networks influence what people
perceive as normal and acceptable—if you see your high school friends getting heavier, you feel
like it’s OK if you do too. A large study found that if participants had a friend who became
obese, their chance of becoming obese rose by 57 percent” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health
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Guide Oct. 2017, p.88). This negative sentiment found in magazine content was congruent with
the online conversation surrounding obesity on Talkwalker. During December 20–26, 2017,
there were 23,200 mentions of the word “obese” among social media users in the United States.
Of these, 14 percent had a positive sentiment and 37 percent had a negative sentiment. Nearly
half – 48 percent – of the individuals who mentioned the word “obese” were women; 59.2
percent were men. Examples from social media include:

[Figure 23: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Obese]
Similarly, the language used to describe overweight individuals was overwhelmingly
negative. In the November 2017 issue of Health an author wrote, “researchers asked a group of
overweight and obese women either to just stick to a diet plan or to eat better and follow a
workout program that targeted the abs” (43). Why is it implied that overweight women don’t eat
well or can’t stick to a diet plan? Additionally, the language surrounding the term “pounds,”
particularly in association with suggestions of losing them, was blatantly negative. Most
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examples found during the content analysis referenced getting rid of pounds with the subtle
implication that once those pounds were eliminated, individuals would consequently feel better.
The author noted that not only should individuals, particularly women, make sure they
were continuously shedding those pounds, but they were also constantly told to pay particular
attention to their belly fat. The vast majority of discussions regarding the words “belly fat” were
negative. There was a strong implication that possessing of any kind of fat around one’s
midsection, which most people have, is bad and people should want to get rid of it. In the
January 2018 issue of Health an author wrote, “a new year means another opportunity to make
strides toward finally getting the body you’ve always wanted. The top priority for most women:
the belly. That little pudge seems to drive us all crazy. That’s why this month is all about moves
that will help cinch the waist” (32). In this same issue, an author wrote, “Blast Bloat Now: All
blown up after the holidays? These tasty drinks will help you—and your belly—bounce back”
(Health Jan. 2018, pg.97). Once more, the message was blatant that having a belly is considered
undesirable. In the January 2018 issue of Eat This: Not That, an article states, “before you order,
arm yourself with this buyer’s guide, or your belly may pay the price” (30). But what’s the
price—being large, or gaining weight? In that same issue it says, “Bye-Bye Belly (butt &
thighs): Swimsuit season will be here before you know it” (74-75). In the real world, plenty of
beautiful, curvy women rock a swimsuit. To imply that someone needs to get rid of her or his
belly fat because swimsuit season is on its way is not okay. The negative connotation associated
with the words “belly fat” were also prevalent online in Talkwalker. Between January 2–8, 2018,
there were 17,200 mentions of the term “belly fat” on social media by users registered in the
United States. Out of these, 15 percent had a positive sentiment and 36 percent had a negative
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sentiment. Forty-six-point-six percent of the individuals that mentioned belly fat were women
and 53.4 percent were men.
On the other hand, the word skinny also had a negative connotation. When skinny was
used, it was often in correlation to women who were either too skinny or unhappy. For instance,
in the November 13, 2017 issue of People, an article stated, “When I was really skinny, I wanted
to kill myself. I was miserable, like, inside and out, for four years of my life. But no one cared,
because aesthetically you make sense” (20). In the January 2018 issue of InTouch, the magazine
comments on the bodies of Wendy Williams and Tara Reid, writing: “Tara’s scary skinny figure.
With her bony spine, stick-thin legs and protruding shoulder blades, 42-year-old Tara Reid’s
skeletal body has fans concerned and close friends terrified for her” (40), and, “the 53-year-old
(Williams) hit the beach in September looking crazy skinny (except for her giant breast
implants)” (41).
During December 21-27, 2017, there were 184,300 social media mentions of the word
“skinny” in the United States on Talkwalker. Out of these, 19 percent had a positive sentiment
and 37 percent had a negative sentiment. Fifty-seven-point-two percent of individuals that
mentioned the word skinny were women and 42.8 percent were men. Some examples of how it
was discussed online include:

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[Figure 24: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Skinny]
Today, the word skinny is rarely used within magazines, articles, and advertisements.
Euphemisms such as fit, lean, toned, and tight are utilized instead to avoid the negative
connotation surrounding the word skinny.
Though advertisements and magazines may have decreased their use of offensive
language against various body types, degrading language still persists. As body image activist
Amy Pence-Brown says, “It is a really popular thing now, body positivity, really socially
acceptable, and everybody wants to be body positive and everybody claims they are, and whether
or not they truly are is a test” (Pence-Brown 2018). From the content analysis, the author saw
that magazines simultaneously promote body positivity while only highlighting extremely thin
women. Larger bodies were often only highlighted in magazines if it is in correlation to weight
loss or an attempt to claim body positivity. It may be subtle, and many people may not give it a
second thought, but the overall message within many magazines and the advertisements within
them is clear: lose weight and you will feel beautiful, confident, sexy, and strong because God
forbid you are those things while being overweight. Magazines and advertisements won’t
blatantly say that “being fat is ugly,” but it will tell people to shred it, lose it, burn it, blast it, and
even freeze it. As Women’s Health put it: “soaring confidence and a rock-hard body? Now
Yours!, as long as you torch that fat away” (128). Furthermore, magazines imply that if
individuals eliminate their fat, they will acquire a body that will lead to happiness, as can be seen
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from taglines such as, “hot and happy” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, p.1), or “big joy, hot
abs” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.1).
The word “fat” is feared and reviled within our thin ideal-oriented society. Throughout
the content analysis, the author saw that the word “fat” was rarely used in a positive light.
Examples include “Icy To The Core: You can burn fat through working out. But how about
freezing it to death” (page 23) featured in the December 2017 issue of Women’s Health, and,
“Find dieting too slow? Keep your thermostat between 60˚F and 67˚F at night. Cooler
temperatures deepen sleep and speed fat burning” (page 13), featured in the January 2018 issue
of Woman’s World. Hidden within the language surrounding the word “fat” is the implication
that fat equates to being unattractive. The solution presented to individuals is simple: to become
more attractive, get rid of the fat. Being called fat is often considered an insult, and if an
individual is deemed to be fat, they are expected to lose the weight at some point. Today, it is
unacceptable to be fat without experiencing social backlash. However, as Pence-Brown says, fat
should only be used as a descriptor. As she explains, “I do use the word ‘fat.’ I have sort of
reclaimed that as a neutral descriptor of a body type, of my body type, and of others and as a
positive one. It has historically been used as negative and is still used as negative, but I like
reclaiming it. I try to be conscious of how people like their bodies described and talked about
though because I know not everyone feels that same way about fat and about using that word”
(Pence-Brown 2018).
Not only is fat deemed undesirable in magazines and advertisements, but flat abdominal
muscles are portrayed as the pinnacle of success for the female body. Throughout the content
analysis, the author found that abdominal muscles, or “abs,” were revered when referenced
within women’s magazines. Examples include: “here’s to a better version of you (and those abs!)
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in 2018” (page 32) featured in the January 2018 issue of Health. Additionally, the abs need to be
flat, because flat abs are considered sexier. The November 2017 issue of Cosmopolitan writes:
“Flat Abs. Glorious Glutes. Strong Arms. Get ‘em all with this multitasking move from trainer
David Kirsch.” Likewise, “Flat Abs Fast! Killer legs! Tight Butt” (page 1), featured in the
Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide. The implication that individuals with abs -
- particularly flat abs -- are more attractive, sexy, and healthy than those without is why the
language surrounding the word “ab” is toxic.
Focusing on “fitness” and the concept of being fit were also methods the magazines and
advertisements used to pressure their readers to be thin while simultaneously invoking feelings
of guilt for those who were not. “Get fit for her wedding…she needed to curb her carb cravings,
especially at breakfast time” (Health Nov. 2017, p.51), and, “How cute is Alison Brie?!...learn
how she got this fit, this happy, this confident” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, p.2) were two
examples featured within issues of Women’s Health and Health. The language presented in the
examples above implies that being fit as a result of weight loss will lead to more confidence and
happiness. The conversation around the term “fit” online was predominantly positive on
Talkwalker. Between January 2–8, 2018, there were 1.1 million mentions of the word fit in the
United States. Out of these, 25 percent had a positive sentiment and 18 percent had a negative
sentiment. Forty-six-point-six percent of the individuals that mentioned fit were women and
53.4 percent were men. Examples include:

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[Figure 25: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts-Fit]
Women’s health magazines constantly urge women to become fit by emphasizing how
attractive it is to possess a “tight and toned” body. Some examples include “grab a buddy and
earn a tighter, shapelier booty with this move from fitness pros – and friends” (page 80), featured
in the January 2018 issue of Cosmopolitan. The Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout
Guide contained several quotes regarding “tight” bodies, including: “Sculpt a high, tight tush as
you torch calories with these super-effective glute moves” (page 40); “a firm, lifted butt is
seriously sexy” (page 74); and, “a tight backside does more than just look great: Strong glutes
will help protect you from injury” (page75). The December 2017 issue of Health even states, “a
stronger, tighter body” (page 1). However, why is a tight body associated with strength and
sexiness? Magazines mentioned the term “toned” in a similar fashion. Examples include:
“Toned, Lean Legs? Yes, Please!” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.12), and, “Workouts for the areas you
love to show off most: toned legs, a flat belly, and a tight butt” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy
2018 Workout Guide, pg.61). Phrases like these imply if an individual has a toned body, a flat
belly, and a tight butt, they should showcase their body. On the other hand, if an individual does
not possess these characteristics, then their body should be concealed. The conversation online
regarding the term “toned body” was overwhelmingly positive on Talkwalker. Between January
2–8, 2018, there were 3,800 mentions of the words “toned body” in the United States. Out of
these 3,800 mentions, 31 percent had a positive sentiment and only 4 percent had a negative
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sentiment. Sixty-seven-point-eight percent of the individuals that mentioned the words “toned
body” were women and 32.2 percent were men. Some examples from online included:

[Figure 26: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Toned Body]
Likewise, the words “tight body” were associated with positive sentiment on Talkwalker. From
January 2–8, 2018, there were 7,400 mentions of the words “tight body” in the United States.
Out of these, 34 percent had a positive sentiment and only 5 percent featured a negative
sentiment. Nearly two thirds – 68.4 percent -- of the individuals that mentioned “tight body”
were women and 31.6 percent were men. Online examples included:

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[Figure 27: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Tight Body]
Magazines continually send out messages regarding the type of body they deem
beautiful. In the November 2017 issue of Elle, an article entitled “GET THE LOOK” is
accompanied by a photo of a petite woman. The December 2017 issue of Health features an
advertisement for Apothederm® Stretch Mark Cream that tells its readers to embrace their
beautiful bodies, as long as they are free of stretch marks. The advertisement states: “Embrace
your body beautiful! Apothederm® Stretch Mark Cream helps to improve texture and
discoloration. Whether stretch marks are new or old, red or silver, Apothederm® can help”
(Health Dec. 2017, pg.101). As stretch marks are an indicator of weight gain or being
overweight, they are considered unattractive. Subtly, Apothederm® is implying that bodies with
stretch marks, which are mainly larger bodies, are not beautiful.
In the rare occurrence when a larger body type is shown in magazines, it is almost always in
correlation to before-and-after photos associated with positive weight loss. For example,
“Looking Good, Wadeanna!” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.47) was written next to a photo of a woman
who went from a size 22 to a size 6. While it is an amazing accomplishment to lose so much
weight, this article implies that the weight loss improved her as a person. Within this same
article, the following quote is featured: “Losing 72 pounds helped Wadeanna learn to love living
healthy—and be a better mom” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.72). Again, this sentence insinuates
dangerous things. How does her weight loss correlate with her ability to be a good mother?
People can live a healthy lifestyle, be good parents and also be overweight. It’s confusing that
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magazines, particularly those geared towards women, constantly imply that people who are
overweight are unhappy and need to do something about it.
Often, the way women—predominantly those whose weight actually falls within the
recommended BMI parameters—justify their weight is through the notion of dieting. The content
analysis revealed that mentions of dieting were often associated with higher levels of energy,
being healthy, being happy, and losing weight. There is nothing wrong with dieting or eating
healthy. However, the word “dieting” became toxic through the relentlessly subtle association of
dieting and weight loss. In the November 2017 issue of Health, a woman named Gabby was
featured saying: “It has had me feeling great the whole time I have been dropping weight with
sustained high levels of energy. It really put a stop to my cravings for junk food and has allowed
me to keep my diet clean” (page 37). In that same issue, an author wrote, “When Tam’s husband
first suggested the couple go paleo, she didn’t have high hopes for the diet but knew she needed
to make some changes. ‘I just felt so terrible and hungry all the time, so I decided to try it’”
(page 52). Plenty of overweight individuals have an abundance of energy and don’t feel terrible
and hungry all the time. Additionally, another example featured within this same issue:
“Switching to poultry helped her get down to 135 pounds, healthy for her five-two frame…Nope
she doesn’t miss her old diet one bit” (page 52). The subtle, but powerful, choice of words in this
sentence is “135 pounds, healthy for her five-two frame.” There is a vigorous implication here
that if an individual is not within the healthy weight for their height, then they do not live a
healthy lifestyle. If she were 5'2" and 160 pounds, she couldn’t be considered healthy?
Frequently, if someone is the “healthy” weight for their height, they are thin. However, a healthy
weight and a healthy body are not always equivalent. Another example includes: “More Success
Stories! With the help of diet and exercise, these weight-loss champs experienced life-changing
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results” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.77). In the author’s opinion, all of these magazines are not
blatantly demanding thinness from their readers; rather, they deviously show how amazing and
life-changing the results will be if readers lose weight through dieting. Moreover, the magazines
and ads imply that someone who loses weight is victorious and those who aren’t are failing. It is
the implications behind the language that make these quotes so toxic. The worst part is the
subtlety of the implications, causing the effects to be less apparent.
The author found that another subtle way women were told to lose weight in the
magazine articles and ads was the use of the phrase “slimming down.” A content analysis
unearthed over 20 examples in which the term “slimming down” was advocated. Frequently, the
term “slim” was associated with health and strength. Some examples included: “The key to
keeping them slim and strong: body quivering, lower-half moves, like this three-part lunge
series” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.12); “Gut Check: A stronger, slimmer core starts here” (Health
Jan. 2018, pg.31); “Slim, Fit & Fab” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, pg.56); and, “Take
control of your diet in these simple ways and you’ll slim down, gain energy, and boost your
mood in no time” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food, pg.9). Associating words like
slim or slimming down with strength, health, an elevated mood, and increased energy can be
harmful toward women. Making this association, whether directly or indirectly, implies that the
thinner an individual is, the healthier and happier they are. In reality, overweight individuals can
be just as strong, healthy, and energetic as individuals who are “in shape.”
Between January 2–8, 2017, there were 1,100 social media mentions of the words “slimming
down” in the United States according to Talkwalker. Out of these, 46 percent had a positive
sentiment and only 5 percent had a negative sentiment. Fifty-four percent of the individuals that
mentioned “slimming down” were women and 46 percent were men. Some examples included:
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[Figure 28: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Slimming Down]
As a result of her content analysis, the author also found that character traits such as laziness and
weakness were more associated with larger body types, subtly implied in the content that filled
the magazines and ad.
Similar to the term “diet,” the words “weight loss” were often mentioned throughout the
content analyzed for this thesis. Examples included: “If you have struggled for years—or maybe
your entire life—to feel confident and strong in your body and lose the weight, Take It Off, Keep
it Off is the plan that will have you regularly rocking skinny jeans and crushing 10-K’s in just a
few months” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, pg.3); “I am always fighting with my weight, and as a
result have large stretch marks which can be embarrassing” (Cosmopolitan Jan. 2018, pg.87);
and, “Losing weight is also about gaining self-esteem and gaining respect for yourself” (People
15 Jan. 2018, pg.77). Furthermore, “it wasn’t about the weight that we lost but the life we
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gained” (page 86) was featured in the January 2018 issue of People. In reality, strength does not
belong to one body type, self-confidence is not restricted by a number on a scale, and respect for
oneself is not congruent with weight. Numerous overweight individuals rock skinny jeans, run
marathons, and enjoy fulfilling lives.
Beyond the publications that were analyzed for this thesis, the author believes myriad
magazines, advertisements, social media outlets, films and television programs use the concept
of health to subtly imply being overweight is undesirable. Amy Pence-Brown comments on this
culture of overweight undesirability, maintaining, “Magazines often use the word ‘fat’ in a toxic
way, I feel like they use the word ‘healthy’ in a toxic way too, though they would totally argue
otherwise. I think they do the same thing with the word ‘fit’ or lots and lots of words about food
and the way food is moralized. Clean eating and all of these ‘healthy lifestyle choices’ that are
really just a new way of disguising a diet most of the time. I think that’s very toxic. I think that
the way magazines use negative descriptors of body parts like ‘muffin-top,’ ‘fat belly,’ ‘beer
belly’ for men, ‘dad bod’ is toxic” (Pence-Brown 2018).
The content analysis revealed a strong parallel between the mention of health in relation
to weight loss. In the November 2017 issue of Health, an author stated, “that apple shape may be
hazardous to your health…since it’s linked to a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes” (page
60). In the January 2018 issue of People, an advertisement for Nutrisystem promoted, “Jumpstart
your weight loss and improve your health” (page 34). Moreover, columnists in Eat This, Not
That observe, “As we embark on 2018, here are some simple lifestyle changes to make for
weight loss and better health” (page 12). The common denominator among these examples is the
implication that weight loss and superior health go hand-in-hand. However, there are plenty of
overweight individuals who are perfectly healthy. These individuals eat clean, go to the gym, do
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yoga, and take care of themselves. Being overweight doesn’t automatically make them unhealthy
or inferior to their thinner counterparts. Between January 2–8, 2017, there were 24,600 mentions
of the word “health” in association with weight in the United States on Talkwalker. Out of these
24,600 mentions, 38 percent had a positive sentiment and only 9 percent had a negative
sentiment. Fifty-six-point-seven percent of the individuals that mentioned the words health were
women and 43.3 percent were men. Although many of the conversations regarding health and
weight are positive, the conversations usually involve some form of losing weight to become
healthier.

[Figure 29: Talkwalker: Social Media Posts- Weight or Health]
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The verbiage used in magazines and advertisements, especially in correlation with the
visuals that accompany them, makes a powerful statement. It is the push for the thin ideal, even
in subtle ways, that leads to very toxic effects for media audiences, can lead to more body
dissatisfaction, the internalization of the thin ideal, lowered self-esteem, and eating disorders.
Amy Pence-Brown experiences this language constantly, observing:
It happens to me all the time to be honest. As a fat feminist activist who is pretty well
known and does a lot of work online, I get a lot of online hatred, particularly mean and
shameful comments all the time. I get them from both men and women, but a lot of men
because they don’t like, most of the time, not finding my body attractive or someone they
would want to have sex with therefore I shouldn’t be seen or have any value to them.
Most of the time when women make comments to me online it’s under the guise of
health; that I must be promoting obesity, that I am unhealthy, they are really worried
about the kind of example I am setting for other women and my children by being happy
and positive in my fat body. This happens to me almost every day. At least once or twice
a day. (Pence-Brown 2018)
By its very definition, toxic language has poisonous effects on the individuals who are exposed
to it.
But it is Unhealthy, Right?
The main argument used against being overweight or obese is the issue of poorer health.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the adverse
health risks associated with being overweight or obese include type 2 diabetes, high blood
pressure, heart disease and strokes, various types of cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver
disease, kidney disease, high blood sugar and pressure (including during pregnancy), and an
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increased chance of a Cesarean delivery in expectant women (“Health Risks of Being
Overweight” 2015). Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, FTOS, director of the National Center for Weight
and Wellness and medical director of the S.T.O.P. Obesity Alliance at the George Washington
University Milken Institute School of Public Health explains, “On one hand, we know that there
are a number of diseases and health conditions that are very strongly associated with obesity—
diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnea” (Cawley 2018, par.11). However, he also
clarifies, “What hasn’t been reported until now is that the range of health conditions associated
with obesity go way beyond those very common ones. There are at least two dozen types of
cancer associated with obesity. There are diseases in every single organ of the body, every single
system of the body that have been shown to be associated with obesity” (Cawley 2018, par.11).
While at being overweight or obese may lead to adverse health risks, a person’s BMI
does not always solely define her or his health. Mirna Valerio is a great example of this. A 42-
year-old ultra-marathon runner, Valerio has completed several marathons, ultra-marathons, and
even obstacle races. She is also 250 pounds. Valerio has even run a six-day, 120-mile Trans
Rockies course (Schmidt 2017). Many medical professionals would likely consider Valerio, who
weighs 250 pounds, unhealthy. Regardless of her size, however, she is both healthy and fit.
These characteristics would not normally be associated with her weight as a result of the toxic
corpulent language used in magazines, advertisements, and various media outlets regarding
overweight or obese individuals. Regrettably, the concept of being “fit” or “healthy” is often
directly associated with thinner individuals by the media. However, “Valerio is proving that
being fit and healthy comes in all shapes and sizes and that the most important thing is self-
acceptance” (Marino 2018, par.19).

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Visual
The visual representation of different body types can also have a powerful and enduring
effect on self-perception. Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory describes this effect, as
Festinger proposes that “people rely on external models on which to form their self-perceptions”
(Vitelli 2013, par.5). According to this theory, the external models against which people compare
themselves, whether in real-life or in popular media, can create positive or negative self-
definitions. The sentiment of these comparisons is dependent upon whether individuals are
comparing themselves to external models that invoke feelings of superiority or inferiority (Vitelli
2013). “In the case of physical attractiveness, seeing media celebrities presenting a certain
standard of beauty leads to upward comparisons, which can lead to increased action to resemble
that standard. Research has demonstrated the depression and despair that women often feel over
falling short of the media models presented to them” (Vitelli 2013, par.5). According to the
tripartite model of Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory, people have three motivators for self-
comparison with others (Vitelli, 2013). These three motivators include “(1) Self-evaluation
(comparing yourself to others to evaluate your relative status, ‘Am I keeping up with the
Joneses?’); (2) Self-improvement (looking to social models to learn how to solve a problem or
improve a situation, ‘What would X do?’), and (3) Self-enhancement (looking at social models to
learn how to feel better about yourself (‘How can I feel better about myself?’)” (Vitelli 2013,
par.6). Thus, if the majority of body types visually represented in mainstream media are of
people with below- BMI, the majority of men and women are likely to feel inferior in
comparison.
Gazing upon the visual depictions in social media, advertisements, television and movies,
it is not surprising this feeling of inferiority is prevalent. Countless advertisements, particularly
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those targeting young women, “feature thin and beautiful models in desirable circumstances in
order to sell clothing, accessories, and other products” (Van Vonderen 2012, 42). While the thin
are glorified, the overweight are concurrently dehumanized. Chelsea Heuer of the Rudd Center
for Food Policy and Obesity conducted a content analysis concerning individuals identified in
news articles about obesity, discovering that 65 percent of the 441 individuals identified were
overweight or obese. Additionally, 72 percent of the images featuring overweight or obese
individuals portrayed them in a degrading and condemning manner. Heuer found that
“overweight/obese individuals were significantly more likely to have their heads cut out of the
photos, to be portrayed showing only their abdomens or lower bodies, and to be shown eating or
drinking than were non-overweight individuals” (Heuer et al. 2011, 976). This same study
revealed that overweight or obese individuals were considerably less likely to be shown fully
clothed, wearing any kind of professional clothing, or engaging in physical activity (Heuer et al.
2011).
Of course, such portrayals only intensify negative stereotypes associated with larger body
types. Intentionally removing the heads of obese or overweight individuals makes people more
likely to disassociate from the person and ridicule the presented images. Commonly, the image
displayed is often intended to conjure feelings of disgust and judgment.
Today, being fat is often regarded as a travesty and is considered extremely unattractive
and undesirable. Society is filled with Victoria Secret models; The Bachelor has his choice of
dozens of beautiful, thin women; a plethora of actors and actresses are well below the
recommended weight for their height; and TV programs focus solely on overweight or obese
individuals striving to lose pant sizes to become more “attractive.” Shows such as Extreme
Weight Loss, The Biggest Loser, My 600-lb Life, and My Diet is Better Than Yours all depict
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larger bodies working toward becoming thin and consequently happy and confident.
Furthermore, weight loss shows imply being overweight is unfavorable and those who are
overweight should do everything in their power to alter their appearance. The implication
reinforces negative attitudes toward overweight and obese individuals. The study “Weak, Sad,
and Lazy Fatties: Adolescents’ Explicit and Implicit Weight Bias Following Exposure to Weight
Loss Reality TV Shows” found that “exposure to the weight loss reality TV show also enhanced
negative implicit attitudes toward obese individuals among all adolescents, irrespective of their
fear of being obese” (Karsay and Schmuck 2017, par.1).
Misrepresentation in television leads to negative attitudes toward overweight or obese
individuals. A study assessing 1,018 major television characters showed that “14% of females
and 24% of males were overweight or obese, less than half their percentages in the general
population” (Greenberg et al. 2003, par.3). The same study revealed that overweight and obese
females rarely interacted with romantic partners, displayed physical attraction, or were presented
as attractive when portrayed on television (Greenberg et al. 2003). Additionally, overweight and
obese males were depicted as constantly eating, rarely interacting with romantic partners, and
scarcely speaking about the topic of dating (Greenberg et al. 2003). As a result of being
negatively portrayed and underrepresented in television, overweight individuals have become
associated with negative characteristics. Lesley Kinzel, author, blogger of Two Whole Cakes and
well-known body activist, sums up these characteristics perfectly: “Fat people are lazy, fat
people eat too much. Fat people never, ever exercise, fat people are filled with self-loathing and
fat people are desperate to be loved” (Cohen 2011, par.3).
Films and TV shows such as Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, Friends, the Harry Potter
series, Shallow Hal, Phat Girlz, and Heavy Weights are all examples of mainstream
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entertainment programs that reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with being fat. Fat
Amy from Pitch Perfect, played by actress Rebel Wilson, is almost entirely defined by her
weight in the first movie. Not only are the Barden Bellas initially put off by her weight, but her
character is depicted as lazy, obnoxious, and someone who hates exercise. In a scene where the
Bellas are exercising, Fat Amy hides to avoid having to run laps; when she’s discovered, she
excuses her actions by stating that she is “horizontal running” (Pitch Perfect 2012). Though this
is a humorous part of the movie, it implies she is lazy, a stereotypical trait that goes hand-in-hand
with someone who is overweight. Actress Courteney Cox, who played Monica in the long-
running TV comedy Friends, dresses up in a fat-suit and turns into Fat Monica periodically
throughout the series. When Fat Monica does appear on screen, she is depicted as food obsessed
and pathetic, and her husband finds her disgusting because of her weight. Only when Monica
loses the weight is she acknowledged as beautiful and attractive. Shallow Hal, is about a man
who falls in love with an overweight woman after his head injury causes him to see her as a lean,
beautiful, unbelievably attractive woman, whereas everyone else in the movie is visibly
disgusted by her as a consequence of her weight.
Movies and shows targeted at adults are not the only culprits in depicting overweight
individuals in harmful ways. Fat stigmatization is alive and well within children’s media, too.
Herbozo and colleagues (qtd. in Almendrala 2013) found that “obesity was equated with
negative traits (evil, unattractive, unfriendly, cruel) in 64% of the most popular children's videos.
In 72% of the videos, characters with thin bodies had desirable traits, such as kindness or
happiness” (par.9).
The negative portrayals of overweight people contribute to weight bias, which
unfortunately, is rooted in blame. It is a common belief that individuals who are overweight are
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to blame for their condition. Heuer has found “that Americans feel that obese people are
responsible for their condition, which they believe is caused by laziness and gluttony. These
beliefs are rooted in traditional American values that people are in control of what happens to
them and they get what they deserve” (Heuer, par.8). Furthermore, he says, news outlets also
typically blame the overweight and the obese for their condition when reporting on the topic:
“The news media takes a victim-blaming approach, attributing America’s weight problems to
poor choices and laziness. Headlines in the past few years have blamed obese people for rising
fuel prices, global warming and causing weight gain in their friends” (Heuer, par.9).
Visually, varying body types are underrepresented or misrepresented in the media.
But being thin doesn’t equate to happiness and self-confidence, any more than being overweight
is congruent to laziness and being unhealthy. Weight should not define a person.
The Thin Ideal
The thin ideal is the emphasis, particularly in advertisements, that thinness is the only
acceptable “standard” for female beauty. The visual representation of body types throughout
various outlets (i.e., social media channels, news, books, advertisements, television, and movies)
only perpetuates this ideal. In the author’s content analysis of 41 magazine issues, it was a rarity
to find overweight or even average-sized bodies. When full-figured bodies were shown, it was
often in the context of the need for weight loss, dieting, or body-positive commentary.
Studies by Himes and Thompson show two dominant methods regarding the perpetuation
of the thin ideal. First, the use of “attractive images of successful, thin women…as ideals to be
imitated or copied” (Himes and Thompson 2007, par.8). The second method includes
disseminating images of overweight and obese characters in a negative or disapproving light
(Himes and Thompson 2007). According to Sohn and Youn, “several studies suggest that only
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5% of women could possibly achieve the thin ideal portrayed in typical advertisements” (qtd. in
Roberts and Roberts 2015, 2). However, if only 5 percent of women could actually achieve the
“thin ideal,” why does it have such a stranglehold in contemporary culture?
The fashion industry is another critical driver in the perpetuation of the thin ideal,
personified through its runway models. An anonymous survey was sent out by researchers from
Northeastern University, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Model Alliance to
450 females over the age of 18 who had participated in the New York Fashion Week in 2016
(Orenstein 2017). Only 85 of the 450 individuals responded (Orenstein 2017). This survey found
that “Eighty-one percent of models reported BMIs that were classified as underweight”
(Orenstein 2017, par.3). Not only are most models on the runway dangerously thin, but larger
body types are rarely represented. According to Glamour magazine, “plus-size women still
account for less than one percent of runway models, even though 67 percent of women in the
U.S. wear a size 14 or above” (Chan 2017, par.3). Even when plus-size models are represented,
“most ‘plus’ models range in size from 10 to 16” (Chan 2017). Why is it that more models like
Tess Holliday, a size 22, aren’t featured?
Dangerous ramifications can occur as a result of peoples’ exposure to the toxicity created
when perpetuating the thin ideal. Consequences include the internalization of the thin ideal as the
actual ideal, and resulting lowered self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and an increase in the
surplus of eating disorders. According to Wade, Keski-Rahkonen, and Hudson (as cited by the
National Eating Disorders Association), about 20 million women and 10 million men will suffer
from some kind of eating disorder in their lifetime (“What Are Eating Disorders?”). Eating
disorders include “anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an eating disorder
not otherwise specified” (“What Are Eating Disorders?”). Newer forms of clinical eating
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disorders continue to appear as both men and women attempt to obtain the bodies constantly
emphasized by the media as ideal. In particular, one new eating disorder has arisen, called
narcorexia, which is characterized by individuals abusing sleeping pills to avoid eating (Downey,
2017). Unfortunately, eating disorders often have fatal consequences. The mortality rate for
people with eating disorders is the highest of any mental health disease: “More than 20% of
people diagnosed with anorexia will die from complications related to the condition. The other
80% may experience a variety of health problems as a result of their disordered eating, including
shrinkage of the heart muscle, irregular heartbeat, muscle atrophy, kidney stones, kidney failure,
and osteoporosis” (“Thinspiration” 2016, par.14). If the glorification of the thin ideal is leading
to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and in some cases death, why is it still
so prevalent in society? Why does society keep perpetuating an ideal that is clearly harmful to
its members?
Social Media
Social media is a dynamic tool. The capability to reconnect with old friends, stay current
with each other’s lives, spread love, and inspire change is all in the palm of one’s hand.
However, social media has a dark side. Although social media gives its users a platform to share
their voices, it also creates the potential for a hypercompetitive breeding ground where
insecurities thrive, and the rise of dangerous outlets and communities that promote unhealthy
habits.
Thinspiration
Upon first glance, the word “thinspiration” seems harmless. While at first one might
assume it was used in association with healthy eating, exercising, and announcing one’s weight
loss progress with the intention to inspire, the truth of this word is actually horrifying.
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Thinspiration is a pro-anorexic and pro-bulimic term used to encourage unhealthy eating habits
or purging behaviors. So-called pro-ana or pro-mia communities are created around this term,
and members of such communities urge one another to starve themselves. Kendyl Klein
explains, “Thinspiration photos are typically ‘selfies’ of young, emaciated girls—skin and bones.
Instead of being negative and frightening images to show the reality of the destruction that
comes from an eating disorder, these photos are meant to be positive, motivational, and, just as
the word says, inspirational” (2013, 11). Additionally, thinspiration practices include posting
photos of “oneself at a high weight on mirrors or in the kitchen in attempts to induce guilt and
prevent eating or photos of morbidly obese individuals to facilitate disgust and motivate weight
loss” (“Thinspiration,” par.1). The purpose of these photographs is to motivate and inspire
individuals with eating disorders to skip a meal, starve themselves, exercise obsessively, or put
their fingers down their throat to induce vomiting. In this community, food and fat are the
ultimate enemies, and the principal goal is simple: “weight loss at any cost” (Mansour 2013,
par.5). “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” said by Kate Moss, is the most popular mantra
used within this community (“Thinspiration” 2016, par.7). Other mottos include “your stomach
isn’t grumbling; it’s applauding,” or “come on skinny love, just last the year” (“Thinspiration”
2016, par.7).
These types of communities are nothing new. Pro-ana and Pro-mia sites have been
around since the 90s and are defined as sites that include any “type of online content that
glorifies treacherously thin bodies, implies eating disorders or, in some cases, even directly
advocates starving or purging” (Mansour 2013, par.8). When visiting these sites, it is disturbing
to see how the community members converse about weight loss. Members often write to “Ana”
or “Mia” (acronyms for anorexia and bulimia) about their unhealthy weight loss behaviors.
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Within these letters, pro-Ana and pro-Mia community members vow to continue their unhealthy
behaviors and, in some cases, beg “Ana” or “Mia” to end their lives. Social media’s accessibility
to people of all ages is another issue that makes pro-ana and pro-mia online communities so
dangerous: “Girls as young as 10 are sharing tips on how to restrict calories, lose weight and
sometimes even purge, on so-called ‘thinspiration’ websites” (Francis 2016, par.2). Ten-year-old
girls should not be concerned about weight loss, let alone be sharing tips on how to effectively
starve the body.
For many suffering from eating disorders, thinspiration communities create environments
in which these individuals feel supported and welcome: “While others are telling them they’re
sick and need to seek treatment, thinspiration validates their experience and tells them they’re
making a lifestyle choice that takes self-control, willpower, and dedication” (“Thinspiration”
2016, par.10). Men and women suffering from eating disorders are already in a vulnerable state,
and thinspiration communities can push them to make dangerous and, in some cases, fatal
choices.
Social media platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr have banned
the use of the hashtag thinspiration. Additionally, prominent hashtags, posts, and photos that
promote or encourage eating disorders within the pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia communities are
prohibited. Instagram’s anti-self-harm policy makes “hashtags such as #thinspiration
#proanorexia and #probulimia unsearchable” (Hasan 2012, par.3). Under this policy, photos
posted regarding eating disorders, whether they are glorifying skinniness or not, will be banned.
Once banned, users who search for a hashtag associated with the promotion of eating disorders
will be sent a warning accompanied by a link directing them to nationaleatingdisorders.org
(Hasan 2012). Facebook also removes anything on its platform that encourages or promotes
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eating disorders (Spiegel 2013). Though these bans are a great start to discouraging pro-anorexia
and pro-bulimia posts, the problem persists. Thinspiration communities are still widespread,
modified hashtags have surfaced to bypass policies, old posts are still searchable, and not all
social media platforms have followed the example of Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and
Tumblr. Currently, on Twitter, the thinspiration hashtag is alive and well. See Figure 30
(sofiegrace 2018; RazorsandAngels 2018; Christina 2018).

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[Figure 30: Thinspiration Examples on Twitter]
However, the term thinspiration isn’t the only toxic term in existence meant to motivate
or inspire weight loss. Bonespiration, a hashtag used for images that feature protruding bones,
and fitspiration, a hashtag used to encourage being fit and working out, are two terms that have
gained extreme popularity in the social media world. After Talbot and colleagues conducted a
content analysis of 743 images focusing on the hashtags thinspiration, fitspiration, and
bonespiration, they discovered similarities between the hashtags and their utilization (Talbot et
al. 2017). Because bonespiration focuses heavily on bone protrusions, researchers found that
bonespiration “may represent an exaggerated form of thinspiration” (Talbot et al. 2017, 7). On
the other hand, when comparing thinspiration and fitspiration, researchers urged their readers to
approach fitspiration with caution, “as a small group of fitspiration content was identified that
was similar to thinspiration with regards to the presence of extremely thin bodies” (Talbot et al.
2017, 1). An analysis of 50 fitspiration websites indicated the messaging used within fitspiration
and the thinspiration/pro-anorexic communities were at times indistinguishable (Simmons 2016).
Similarly, the messaging used within both communities “contained strong language inducing
guilt about weight or the body, and promoted dieting, restraint and fat and weight stigmatization”
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(Simmons 2016, par.9). Studies have shown a correlation between the number of fitness boards a
user follows on Instagram and their likelihood to “engage in extreme weight-loss behaviors”
(Lewallen and Behm-Morawitz 2016). This shows how fitness can be used as a weapon against
those who do not possess the ideal body. However, these terms, sites, and communities do not
appear out of nowhere. They are reflective of American culture and the thin ideal that has been
revered for so many decades.
Toxic Mirror
The powerful adverse effect of social media is not always apparent: Psychologists found
a link between “social media use to body image concerns, dieting, body surveillance, a drive for
thinness and self-objectification in adolescents” (Simmons 2016, par.3). According to Mabe,
Forney and Keel’s study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders (qtd. in
Weiner 2016), researchers found women who browsed Facebook for 20 minutes experienced
greater body dissatisfaction than women who spent those same 20 minutes researching rainforest
cats online.
Today, the power of a “like” on a photo or a post is unprecedented. Social media users
utilize these platforms as a way of receiving validation and compliments regarding their
appearance. However, this validation can lead to negative consequences: “Validation…from
other social media users (‘You look great!’ or ‘Have you lost weight?’) may falsely fulfill
their need for acceptance—further distorting their body image” (Weiner 2016, par.5). Claire
Mysko, author of Girls Inc. Presents: You’re Amazing!: A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your
Best Self, has a warning for young girls on using social media. Mysko states, “while social
media gives young people—especially girls—the feedback and validation they crave, it can
also serve as a catalyst for more insecurity” (qtd. in Weiner 2016, par.6).
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Similar to the distorted reality presented by photoshopped images in magazines, social
media posts often depict an altered version of an individual’s actual body. In 2014, the Renfrew
Center Foundation conducted an online survey of 1,710 U.S. adults (18 and above) who were
active on social media. The survey found that 50 percent of the participants that posted photos on
their social media networks altered them before posting (“Afraid To Be Your Selfie?” 2014). Out
of the 48 % of individuals who edit photographs of themselves to enhance their overall
appearance did so by “removing blemishes (15%) or adding color to look less pale (15%)”
(“Afraid To Be Your Selfie?” 2014, par.6). Furthermore, “1 in 8 (12%) admit to editing because
they aren’t happy with how they look in general, while some (6%) edit to make themselves look
thinner” (“Afraid To Be Your Selfie?” 2014, par.6). Free editing applications are easily
accessible through various app stores, making it progressively easier for people to alter
themselves into more idealized versions that don’t exist. People “can cover up pimples, whiten
teeth, and even airbrush with the swipe of a finger, curating their own image to become
prettier, thinner, and hotter” (Simmons 2016, par.5). This is especially prevalent among
teens. Studies show that when teenagers spend too much time on social media, unrealistic
expectations towards their bodies begin to form (Crain 2016). The UK’s Royal Society for
Public Health (RSPH), a British charity focused on health education, conducted a survey of
1,500 people between the ages of 14–24. The survey revealed that using social media sites such
as Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram had negative effects on both anxiety and body
image of the participants: “In order from least negative to most, they were: Twitter, Facebook,
Snapchat, and Instagram” (Bain 2017, par.4). Due to the heavy visual component of Instagram, it
is not surprising that it was rated as the social media site that invoked the highest levels of
adverse effects on anxiety and body image by RSPH. Another study, by New Media and Society,
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surveyed 350 women from Australia and America between the ages of 18–25 and found that
“overall Instagram use was associated with greater self-objectification” (Fardouly et al. 2017, 1).
The New Media and Society study revealed that women tended to compare their appearance to
the images presented on Instagram. RSPH and New Media and Society jointly revealed that the
tendency to compare oneself to a potentially highly edited photo has a profoundly harmful effect
on a “women’s appearance-related concerns and beliefs” (Fardouly et al. 2017, 1). Moreover,
“visual platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat deliver the tools that allow teens
to earn approval for their appearance and compare themselves to others” (Simmons 2016,
par.4).
Additionally, young women are more likely to compare their bodies to their friends on
social media than celebrities on television, advertisements, and other traditional media (Ratcliffe
2017). Researchers found when women “make an unfavourable [sic] comparison with the other
woman they are looking at, the impact is more pronounced when the image is on social media”
(Ratcliffe 2017, par.2).
The reasons for low self-esteem go much further than just the impact of social media
postings. However, the platforms created by social media developers serve as a petri dish for
individual self-dissatisfaction and insecurities.
Body Shaming/Fat Shaming
The perfect environment for body shaming to thrive is created through the combination
of underrepresentation and misrepresentation of overweight individuals in the media, the
continued admiration of the thin ideal, the toxic language used towards various “non-ideal” body
types within magazines and online, and the toxic mirror perpetuated by social media users. Body
shaming is the act of shaming or humiliating someone for their size. Though overweight
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individuals are usually at the receiving end of body shaming, thin individuals—particularly
models—are also often body shamed for being “too skinny” (Brinded 2017).
Body shaming can occur in a multitude of ways. First, body shaming can be self-inflicted
as a result of comparing one’s body to another (Vargas 2014). “I’m so fat compared to her,” “I
hate my thighs, I wish my legs were lean like hers,” are two examples of self-inflicted body
shaming. Secondly, body shaming can occur when someone critiques the body and appearance
of someone else in their presence, such as “You are so pretty for someone your size” (Vargas
2014). These body-shaming critiques are frequently present on all social media platforms.
Finally, body shaming can occur from a distance (Vargas 2014). Examples include: “She does
not have the body to pull that off,” and “Can you believe she is wearing that?”
Body shaming, particularly fat shaming, is exceedingly common today. English model
Iskra Lawrence, was left a nasty comment on a photo she posted on Instagram (Leopold 2016). It
said: “Fat cow. It's only cus every F****r on this planet is obese that that's the norm... Plus-size
models? give me a F*****g breaking. Everyone needs to stop eating McDonald's, the NHS is
f****d because of people like her eating too many bags of crisps” (Iskra 2016). Plus-size model
Ashley Graham receives body shaming comments every time she posts a photo of herself
exercising. Comments such as, “You’ll never be skinny, so stop trying,” “Don’t work out too
hard, you’ll get skinny,” “You still need to be fat to be a model,” and “Why would you want to
lose what made you famous?” flood her posts (Lang 2017, par.3). In 2016, Dani Mathers, a
model and former Playboy playmate, photographed and posted a selfie inside a female locker
room. The selfie depicts Mathers with a disgusted facial expression, and an unsuspecting naked
71-year-old woman in the background captioned, “If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either”
(Hawkins 2017, par.3). Natalie Hage, a plus-size Instagram model, was body shamed on a flight
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to Texas when the passenger next to her began sending cruel texts to a friend regarding her
appearance, including “I think she ate a Mexican” (Dillon 2017, par.5). The passenger also
texted that due to his seat partner’s size, he was so “smushed” that he was leaving a neck mark
on the window (Dillon 2017) These are only a few of the countless examples of body shaming
constantly occurring worldwide.
No matter the person’s form, body shaming should not take place. It only reinforces the
idea that individuals are defined by their physical features and that leads to shame and insecurity.
Men and women are so much more than their physical appearance. So, why aren’t they judged
by who they are instead of what they look like?
Fat Talk
“I hate my thighs, they are so big.” “I’m so fat, I need to lose weight.” Amongst groups
of women, these would be fairly normal conversational comments. But why is it that women feel
the need to engage in this kind of talk? Why do women shame themselves? The term “fat talk”
was coined in 1994 by a group of researchers after observing the way middle-school girls
conversed about their bodies in a degrading and belittling manner (Adams 2017). Fat talk, or the
act of speaking about the size and shape of our bodies negatively, “both reflects and creates body
dissatisfaction” (Salk & Engeln-Maddox 2011, 18).
Studies show there is an association between frequency of fat talk and greater body
dissatisfaction and internalization of the thin ideal: “The most common response to fat talk was
denial that the friend was fat, most typically leading to a back-and-forth conversation where each
of two healthy weight peers denies the other is fat while claiming to be fat themselves” (Salk &
Engeln-Maddox 2011, 18). Ninety-three percent of college women admitted to engaging in fat
talk (Salk & Engeln-Maddox 2011, 21). On top of this, “Fat talk is so embedded among women
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that it often reflects not how the speaker actually feels about her body but how she is expected to
feel about it” (Hoffman 2013, par.3).
According to Dr. Denise Martz, there are a multitude of reasons that individuals engage
in fat talk. In ‘Operation Beautiful’: Just Say No to Fat Talk, Martz states that fat talk is used to
“express emotions, seek social reassurance, create an in-group with friends, excuse certain eating
behaviors, and manage impressions” (“Operation Beautiful” 2010, par.4). The act of fat talk is
known to be contagious and often is used as a bonding ritual among women (Hoffman 2013).
Similar to a virus, fat talk quickly and unequivocally spreads. Fat talk is also often utilized as a
coping mechanism. As stated by Martz, “our society places pressure on us to look a certain way,
and when we don’t, we often react by shaming ourselves with Fat Talk” (“Operation Beautiful”
2010, par.8). When engaging in fat talk, individuals are often searching for positive praise or
reassuring compliments (“Operation Beautiful” 2010). Fat talk is common among people of all
body types but not completely independent of body size. Studies reveal “overweight and obese
women were most likely to engage in fat talk.” (Engeln and Salk 2016, 1661). Consequently,
adverse side effects materialize when individuals, particularly women, engage in fat talk. Studies
show that fat talk is a double-edged sword. Higher instances of engaging in fat talk lead to
higher instances of body dissatisfaction (Arroyo and Harwood 2012). However, why do women
feel the need to engage in interactions that are both harmful to themselves and to those around
them?
Solutions for Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing Practitioners
The insulting, blatant, and often subtly derogatory language used within various
publications can have incredibly harmful effects on one’s body image, self-esteem, and catalyze
toxic weight loss behaviors, such as eating disorders. The adverse effects of unhealthy weight
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loss behaviors such as excessive dieting or the development of eating disorders are usually the
direct result of individuals trying to obtain the ideal body set forth by societal standards. As Amy
Pence-Brown says, “all body types are good body types” (Pence-Brown 2017), and it is time we
start truly living by that mantra. The toxic effect of perpetuating an ideal body is disturbing and
disastrous. Online communities of individuals who focus on encouraging one another to starve or
otherwise harm themselves should not exist, fat talk should not be a norm in the female
conversation, and negative self-body image and low self-esteem should not be the standard.
What can be done to change this? Below are some recommended Do’s and Don’t’s that the
author believes may help.
Do’s
• Visually represent all kinds of bodies throughout media. Showing only one idealized type
of body in magazines and advertisements implies this one body type is the ideal to strive
for and the epitome of beauty. It is time to redefine beauty to be more inclusive.
• Promote self-love, self-confidence and body acceptance for people of all body types.
• Continue to promote healthy lifestyles regardless of body size, and without the not-so-
subtle references to shaming anyone who may be overweight.
Don’t
• Use toxic words that imply negative associations with distinct body types in the media,
magazines, and advertisements. Amy Pence-Brown suggests, “I think just by changing
their words and changing the way they use words and language is a good example. I think
people will take notice of that…I also think that people appreciate diversity in magazines
in both the voices that write for them and in the content created for the publications”
(Pence-Brown 2017).
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• Associate losing weight with happiness, confidence, being sexy, and being healthy.
Losing weight should be a personal choice, not one brought about by language that
cultivates insecurity or self-loathing.
• Imply one body is better than another. All bodies are beautiful.
• Define individuals and their value by their weight; there is much more to a person than a
number on a scale.
• Show only larger bodies in publications when talking about weight loss.
• Use health status as a weapon against people with larger body types.
It is time we change the norm of the thin ideal and represent all of the beautiful and
amazing bodies that exist in the world. Beauty and confidence is not a “one size fits all.” It is
time to open our minds to a different version of what a beautiful and healthy body looks like, and
to stop making stereotypical assumptions based off appearance. People are not defined by their
weight, they are defined by their souls. It is time to usher in a new norm of body acceptance.

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Engeln, Renee, and Rachel Salk. “The Demographics of Fat Talk in Adult Women: Age, Body
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Glamour. Nov. 2017. Texture.
Glamour. Dec. 2017. Texture.
Glamour. Jan. 2018: 71. Print.

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“Going Too Far With the Winfrey Diet.” The New York Times, 30 Aug. 1989,
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Pence-Brown, Amy. Skype Interview. 18 Jan. 2018.
People. 6 Nov. 2017: 78. Texture.
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Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food. 1, 3, 9, 10, 15, 19, 33, 60, 62, 70, 72, 73. Print.
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Appendix:

Magazine Analyzed for Content Analysis:

Allure Nov. 2017
Allure Dec. 2017
Allure Jan. 2018
Cosmopolitan Nov. 2017
Cosmopolitan Dec. 2017
Cosmopolitan Jan. 2018
Eat This: Not That. Spring 2018
Elle Nov. 2017
Elle The Party Issue 2018
Glamour Nov. 2017
Glamour Dec. 2017
Glamour Jan 2018
Health Nov. 2017
Health Dec. 2017
Health Jan. 2018
InStyle Nov. 2017
InStyle Dec. 2017
InStyle Jan. 2018
InTouch 15 Jan. 2018
Marie Claire Nov 2017
Marie Claire Holiday 2017
New Beauty Beauty Report: Volume 2. 2017
People 6 Nov. 2017
People 13 Nov. 2017
People 20 Nov. 2017
People 15 Jan. 2018
Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food
Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health Guide Oct. 2017
Seventeen Prom Winter/Spring 2017
Teen Vogue: Volume IV Dec 2017
US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018
Vanity Fair Nov 2017
Vanity Fair Holiday 2017/2018
Vogue Nov. 2017
Vogue Dec 2017
Vogue Jan 2018
Women’s Health Nov. 2017
Women’s Health Dec. 2017
Women’s Health Jan/Feb 2018
Women’s Health, 2018 Workout Guide Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide
Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018

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Additional Corpulent Language Examples from Content Analysis
Blatant:
Obese
• “$15,925: the average amount (in the form of medical costs) an obese 50-year-old could
save over her lifetime by dropping to a healthy weight, per a study in Obesity.” (Health
Jan. 2018, pg. 16)- accompanies by a photo of a headless woman eating a cheeseburger.
• “Recent research published in the International Journal of Obesity found that obese men
who took 14-day breaks from their diet every two weeks lost more weight back after the
eating program ended.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.16)
• “Sweat. It’s a thermogenic fat burner that leaves you feeling accomplished, thinner
&glistening.” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, pg.89)
• “Sugar coated compares Big Sug to Big Tobacco: Both industries got us hooked on a
product they know can kill us (in the case of sugar, via obesity and heart disease).”
(Cosmopolitan Jan. 2018, pg.88)
• “If you skip a satisfying morning meal like this, you increase your risk of obesity.” (Eat
This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.13)
Overweight
• “In fact, researcher asked a group of overweight and obese women either to just stick to a
diet plan or to eat better and follow a workout program that targeted the abs.” (Health
Nov. 2017, pg.43)
• “If you are significantly overweight, studies show that losing as little as 5 percent to 7
percent of your body weight can have an impact.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.70)
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• “I was the only overweight person in the family, and my mom used to say things to me
like, ‘You’d be so pretty if you were skinny.’” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.72)
Lose Pounds
• “TINY FOOD SWAPS TO SHED BIG LBS” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.1)
• “Lost 150 pounds.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.52)
• “The trick to eating right and shedding pounds (that stay off) is setting yourself up to
make nutritious and nourishing choices from morning till bedtime.” (Health Jan. 2018,
pg.74)
• I told myself, ‘I’m not gaining 60 pounds again.’ Then I turned around and gained
exactly 60 pounds.” (InStyle Dec. 2017, pg.166)
• “Lisa Lampanelli: Keeping Off 110 lbs! - “Self-acceptance never worked for me until
now,” the comic says.” (People Nov. 20, 2017, pg.32)
• “How six women lost half their size; Plus! Mama June- I lost 300 pounds and kept it off.”
(People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.1)
• “Rapid Results: Lose up to 16 pounds in just 4 weeks”- accompanied by a photo of 6
women that are now thin and happy.” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.107)
• “Fit-fluencer Chinae Alexander (@chineaalexander) drops truth bombs about her fitness
journey (she lost 70 pounds and gained serious strength) to her 132,000 followers daily.”
(Women’s Health Nov. 2017, pg.36)
• “Finally lose those last 10 pounds.” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout
Guide, pg.1)
• “Melt Away 20 pounds or more!” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.30)
Belly Fat
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• “Is it possible to burn belly fat first? What’s really the best way to bust through a weight
loss plateau?” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.42)
• “Bye-Bye Fad Diets. Beat-It Belly Bulge” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food,
pg.3)
• “It flattens your belly!... Magnesium is also shown to help keep blood sugar in check,
which is linked to less belly fat.” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, pg.16)
• “Aside from diet, exercise has the biggest impact on belly fat, and it goes beyond hitting
the gym – any bit of movement helps.” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health Guide Oct.
2017, pg.88)
• “How to reduce deep belly fat.” (Cosmopolitan Jan. 2018, pg.81)
• “Blast Belly Fat: 15 minutes is all it takes” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018
Workout Guide, pg.1)
• “Try this Flat Belly Barre routine: Build lean muscle and strengthen your core.”
(Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food, pg.62)
• “Your waistline: Research suggests that the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)found
in avocado help melt stubborn belly fat and keep it off.” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For
Real Food, pg.72)
• “The easiest way to a flat belly! Blast belly fat, tone every inch, and love every minute of
every workout.” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food, pg.73)
• “35 Flat-Belly Dishes.” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.1)
Skinny
• “I have never been skinny.” –accompanied by a thin woman (Health Jan. 2018, pg.85)
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• “The Skinny Nut: Go ahead, indulge a little with The Wonderful Nut. Wonderful
Pistachios are one of the lowest fat-lowest calorie nuts around.”: Wonderful Pistachio
Ad- ad accompanied with very thin women boxing.” (Elle The Party Issue 2018, pg.77)
• “If you love yourself, you’ll love your look. When I was little, I felt like I was too skinny.
Then as I grew up, I felt like I gained too much weight.” (Seventeen Jan. 2018, pg.118)
Subtle:
Fat
• “Is it possible to spot-reduce fat?” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.43)
• “A University of Chicago study found that well rested dieters lost more fat than sleep
deprived dieters.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.74)
• “Discover the latest innovation in non-invasive fat reduction for your abdomen.” (InStyle
Jan. 2018, pg.105)
• “Moves That Blast Fat-No Cardio.” (Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, pg.1)
• “Doing them regularly will add fuel to your body’s metabolic fire, helping you torch
more fat around the clock.” (Women’s Health 2018 Workout Guide, pg.68)
• “Building buns of steel also improves metabolism, helping you burn calories at a higher
rate and blast fat all over.” (Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, pg.76)
• “Fat-melting meals.” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.1)
Slimming Down
• “Strengthening and increasing the size of muscles in the area will make them appear
more toned, and pairing that focused resistance training with your cardio routine will help
burn fat in general and slim the area over time.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.43)
Kast 96
• One simple tweak to your diet can make a dramatic difference. Just as these slimmed
down bloggers and chefs.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.51)
• Whether walking the red carpet or hitting the stage, country singer Carrie Underwood has
been known to rock her share of super-short frocks. (Have you seen her legs?!) The key
to keeping them slim and strong: Body quivering, lower-half moves, like this three-part
lunge series.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.12)
• “Sure, your scale can tell you how much you weigh. But it can’t tell you how much
muscle you’ve gained since you took up HIIT. Or the percentage of body fat you’ve
burned since you’ve slimmed down.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.48)
• “Goal 1: Slim Down. You want to clean up your diet –and lose excess weight.” (Health
Jan. 2018, pg.74)
• “7 pm: Close the kitchen- If you ate breakfast at 7 a.m. research suggests its’s best to stop
eating now: Mice that consumed their calories within a 12-hour window stayed slim,
while ones allowed to eat whenever packed on weight.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.74)
• “Celeb Slimdowns! They changed habits and got results.” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.83)
• “Lose 5, 10, 15 pounds. Four women share the true secret to slimming down for good.
And it has nothing to do with diet versus exercise.” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, pg.2)
• “The Slimming Effect of Stable Blood Sugar Levels.” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017,
pg.73; Women’s Health Jan./Feb. 2018, pg.109)
• “Khloe, 33, who is six months pregnant, will do everything she can to slim down
quickly.” (InTouch 15 Jan. 2018, pg.35)
• “The majority of Americans want to slim down, according to Gallup poll results.”
(Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, pg.82)
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• “If you’re ready to slim down and flatten your belly for good, grab a regular old
household chair.” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food, pg.73)
• “Go ahead. Say help to your old pal, Pasta. You can have your spaghetti and still say
slim.” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.82)
• “The model, mom, business women, and wife of Matthew McConaughey, counts on a
simple formula to stay slim.” (Eat This: Not That Spring 2018, pg.96)

Weight Loss
• “My mom couldn’t lose weight no matter what she tried. Then she read about Fat Burner
called INVIGORB. She instantly noticed her mood improve, her cravings disappear, and
her energy levels boosted.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.37)
• “If you’re in a rush to burn fat, lose weight, and increase energy levels you can order
INVIGOR8 Fat Burner today at www.Invigor8Diet.com or by calling 1-800-958-3392.”
(Health Nov. 2017, pg.37)
• “When Blais met his wife, his weight was at an all-time high.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.53)
• “I’ve naturally reached my happy weight after trying for years.” (Health Nov. 2017,
pg.53)
• Bye-Bye Baby Weight: The key to Tabatha James’s 87-pound loss? Morning workouts
and a surprising new approach to eating.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.45)
• “They jump-started their weight loss by changing just one thing!” (People 15 Jan. 2018,
pg.94)
Kast 98
• “You can lose weight with SlimFast too! For over forty years, the clinically proven
SlimFast Plan has been helping millions of Americans lose weight fast and keep it off.”
(People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.100)
• “Discover the fast(ing) ways to weight loss…” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.112)
• “To enjoy the positive effects and especially the weight loss results of a fast without
worrying about negative consequences, the Almased-modified fast is ideal. The unique
scientifically proven formula optimizes results, helps to avoid muscle loss and hunger,
and leads to easy, quick and, even more importantly, healthy and sustainable weight
loss.” (People 15 Jan. 2018, pg.112)
• “Cheat, Drink & Still Shrink. Break Through Your Weight Loss Plateau.” (Women’s
Health Nov. 2017, pg.15)
• “Step Up to a Breakthrough: We’ve got the reader-proven secret to lasting weight loss.
And it’s got something (actually, everything) to do with the word eureka.” –accompanied
by a photo of indented feet into scale (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, pg.88)
• “My weight-loss wake-up call: Four women share how a lightbulb moment sparked their
transformation” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, pg.90)
• “Shed weight faster by lowering the heat!” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, pg.13)
• “Slimfast-Energize your Weight Loss!” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, pg.56; InTouch
15 Jan. 2018, pg.56)
• “Pick a date, lose the weight!
TM”
(Woman’s World 15. Jan 2018, pg.56)
• “Weight Gain: A high-protein diet – that also includes lots of veggies and whole grains –
may contribute to weight loss and lean muscle gains.” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health
Guide Oct. 2017, pg.92)
Kast 99
• “You can lose weight with SlimFast, too!” (US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018, pg.33)
• “I lost weight! Hydroxycut gave me so much Energy.” (US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018, pg.69)
• “By going mostly for the ‘living’ food, you’ll ensure that your meals include the
nutrients your body needs for energy muscle building, brain function, and overall
health—and you’ll lose weight naturally.” (Prevention Guide: It’s Time For Real Food,
pg.70)
Diet
• “See how the Cooking Light Diet can help you eat healthier and lose weight with easy-
to-follow, customized meal plans.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.117)
• “The fastest soup diet ever.” (Woman’s World 15 Jan. 2018, pg.20)
• “Unless you’re drinking water, beverages can add a lot of calories to your daily diet,
causing you to pack on the pounds.” (Reader’s Digest Ultimate Health Guide Oct. 2017,
pg.92)
Tight Body:
• Spanx Ad: Arm Tights! - Now wear everything sleeveless, year round! (Cosmopolitan
Nov. 2017, n.pag.)
• Tampax Ad: “Mightiest protection for even the skin tightest.” (Marie Claire Holiday
2017, pg.117)
• “Arm Your Wardrobe This Winter!: Good friends don’t keep styling secrets! New Spanx
Arm Tights
TM
will totally transform your—and your besties – wardrobe! With a
seamless, cropped design made entirely from hosiery, Spanx Arm Tights
TM
create a
second-skin feeling that’s unlike that of any traditional layering top. Available in various
Kast 100
colors and styles to keep you saying “yes” to sleeveless, all season long!
Spanx.com/introducing-arm-tights” (Cosmopolitan Dec. 2017, n. pag.)
• “Work to keep your abs tight throughout this entire sequence.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.31)
• “Whether it’s fast weight loss, appetite control, or tightening and toning your body,
there’s a Zantrex formula that’s right for you.” (US Weekly 15 Jan. 2018, pg.67)
• “This 5-minute workout tones all over: Not a typo. You can tighten up in little more than
a commercial break.” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, pg.2)
• “How to concoct the cocktail look of the moment? Try a slinky dress-over-pants
silhouette.” (Elle The Party Issue 2018, pg.51)
• “Sculpt a high, tight tush as you torch calories with these super-effective glute moves.”
(Women’s Health Strong & Sexy 2018 Workout Guide, pg.74)
Toned Body
• “Score toned obliques – aka side abs – with this crusher from certified trainer NIKI
KLASNIC, the bod behind Insta’s popular @SugarySixPack account.” (Cosmopolitan
Dec. 2017, n. pag.)
• “It’s perfect for when you need to focus on shaping and toning not only the oblique’s but
the entire core.” (Health Dec. 2017, pg.16)
• “This 5-minute workout tones all over.” (Women’s Health Dec. 2017, pg.2)
Flattering
• “Adjustable professional-grade lighting that illuminates with a soft, flattering glow.”
(Teen Vogue Volume 4 2017, pg.31)
• “The flattering cuts of Puma’s workout tanks are just what I need to liven up my dance
looks.” (InStyle Jan. 2018, pg.42)
Kast 101
Body
• “GET THE LOOK” (Elle Nov. 2017, n. pag.)
Health-Weight
• When her daughter turned 1, Johns set a goal: to become a better example of healthy
living.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.52)
• “Remember your body wants to be in balance. It wants to feel healthy, strong, and
energized.”- photo that accompanies this verbiage is three skinny young females (Health
Jan. 2018, pg.14)
• “Once you have your insight, get ready for a heavy shot of motivation. ‘Aha moments
give you certain thrill, ‘says Kounios, ‘and a charge to act on the realization you’ve just
had.’ A healthier you awaits.” (Women’s Health Nov. 2017, pg.91)
• “The Golden Trio for the Happiest, Healthiest You. Achieving your wellness goals can
be as easy as 1,2,3. We’ve compiled a trifecta of must-do tips to help you look and feel
your best.” –accompanied by a photo of a thin headless women running (Women’s Health
Dec. 2017, pg.31)
Flat Abs:
• “Want these Abs? Then check out this move.” (Health Dec. 2017, pg.1)
• “Jenny from the block has her abs on lock. And there isn’t a crop top or cutout dress that
doesn’t show it.” (Health Dec. 2017, pg.16)
• “I’m really loving my abs right now.” –next to a photo of Katherine McPhee in a bikini
(Health Dec. 2017, pg.79)
• “How to eat great for great abs: Show off a more defined midsection with these nutrition
tweaks.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.18)
Kast 102
Fit:
• “Brooke Shields: Fitter Than Ever At 52.” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.1)
• “Goal: Get Fit-You dream of becoming an exercise addict.” (Health Jan. 2018, pg.76)
• “Photo Finish: Firming CLARINS Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Experts targets
cellulite with quince leaf and green coffee to give legs a ‘Photoshop effect immediately,’
says Arlette Barrionuevo of ELLE Argentina.” (Elle The Party Issue 2018, pg.94)
Misc.:
• “Easy Tweaks That’ll Transform Your Body – Fast” (Health Nov. 2017, pg.1)
• “#Goals” –verbiage accompanies a photo of Julianne Hough showing off her abs. (Health
Nov. 2017, page 1)
• “Pull your shoulders back and tilt your head a bit instead of looking straight into the
camera. The angle is more interesting to look at, but most important it’s a great way to
show off your features.” (Health Dec. 2017, pg.36)

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Slim down! Torch that fat! Think thin! Say bye-bye to your belly fat! Why do we talk about our bodies this way? Toxic language used against varying body types is a major culprit. We live in a society where being thin is considered beautiful and being overweight is unacceptable without justification and discontent. For this thesis, the author conducted a content analysis of 41 consumer magazines published over a three-month period, and it became clear that subtle toxic language was being used in both ads and content when discussing various body types, especially larger ones. The author divided examples of this language into three subsections: insulting, blatant, and subtle. The verbiage in this language is riddled with subtle implications that individuals, particularly women, should strive to adhere to a certain body type that society considers beautiful and ideal. The often-derogatory language used in various publications can have incredibly harmful effects on one’s body image, self-esteem, and catalyze toxic weight loss behaviors, such as eating disorders. It is time to stop the use of this language and usher in a new era of body acceptance.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Kast, Hinde Rozemarijn (author)

Core Title The unspoken power of toxic words on body image

School Annenberg School for Communication

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Strategic Public Relations

Publication Date 04/16/2018

Defense Date 05/11/2018

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag body image,corpulent language,OAI-PMH Harvest,self-esteem,toxic language,weight

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Floto, Jennifer (committee chair), Brabham, Daren (committee member), Jackson, Laura (committee member)

Creator Email hindekas@usc.edu,hindekast@yahoo.com

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c40-492655

Unique identifier UC11266987

Identifier etd-KastHindeR-6251.pdf (filename),usctheses-c40-492655 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier etd-KastHindeR-6251.pdf

Dmrecord 492655

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Kast, Hinde Rozemarijn

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the a...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA