Body Representation in Media

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By Caroline Mawhinney '24 

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The lack of body diversity within modern media has had a detrimental impact on the mental health and self-esteem of individuals in today’s society. Both blockbuster films and social media have created an unattainable ideal body type and established it as the beauty standard. This limited portrayal of diversity sets unrealistic standards that result in a low view of self-worth, thereby increasing anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

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Media generally represents a single body type, one that is lean and muscular. This lack of diversity perpetuates feelings of inadequacy because it shows only a single version of a successful and generally well-liked individual. Showing this version of a character and linking physical appearance to factors such as socioeconomic status or personality characteristics generates an inaccurate stereotype. For example, the limited number of characters with larger bodies are often depicted as lazy, dumb, and clumsy, whereas characters with leaner, more muscular bodies are depicted as disciplined and successful. One example is the character ‘Fat Monica’ on the TV show “Friends.” Monica is always eating, unhappy, and unhygienic, yet once she loses weight, she is portrayed as happy, clean, and more successful. These harmful stereotypes contribute to systemic inequalities that could lead to circumstances in which individuals are discriminated against in employment or social situations. People who are obese experience subtle but hurtful behaviors, such as negative verbal comments, teasing, or physical assault (World Obesity Federation). It is vital that, as a society, we work to promote equality and acceptance for all individuals regardless of physical appearance.

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Mainstream media has narrowed body types for characters who are designed to represent attractiveness by showing physical attributes such as thinness, toned muscles, and stereotypically flawless features. This portrayal is not only unrealistic for a majority of the population but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes of what beauty looks like. The impact of this flawed portrayal on individuals can be seen with the “meta-analysis of 25 experimental studies which examined the immediate effect of exposure to a variety of images and found that body image, especially for females younger than 19, was significantly more negative after seeing thin media characters than after seeing average or plus-size media characters or inanimate objects” (Kenyon College). Creating a singular view of beauty generates feelings of negative self-worth that directly correlate to mental health issues. The severity of the issue can be seen around the world with many individuals showing signs of mental disorders; for example, 54 percent of men and 49 percent of women display signs of body dysmorphic disorder (Kantar). Diversity within media and access to mental health support can help to mitigate some of the effects, but overall, society must work toward creating a more inclusive world and media.

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The limited diversity in media and its contribution to stereotypes and mental health issues has had harmful economic implications throughout the world. Industries that rely on physical appearances, such as fashion, entertainment, and advertising, influence consumer behaviors greatly often feature the “ideal” body type and lack diversity in body type, race, and gender. This practice not only reinforces the unrealistic beauty standard and alienates a majority of the population, but also narrows employment opportunities so that many individuals face discrimination and are unable to find adequate jobs. This fact was highlighted in the 2021 Fashion Week with more than 90 percent of Paris and London Fashion Week designers, 80 percent of Milan designers, and 64 percent of New York designers not including models with diverse body types (WWD). This is a cycle of media perpetuating people's views on physique and that bias contributes to employment opportunities, which further contributes to systemic inequalities, particularly in marginalized communities. To address these concerns, diversity needs to be made a priority not only for media creators, but also for society as a whole.

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One major issue with increasing diversity in media is the economic viability of the entertainment and fashion industry. While this may be a valid concern in some instances, diverse media with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences still perform well. Darnell Hunt, the UCLA executive vice chancellor and provost supported this by saying, "Films that embrace diversity are more likely to resonate with audiences, leading to box-office success and ultimately long-term sustainability for the industry" (NPR). Society needs to support media that highlights diversity and does not perpetuate the single beauty standard narrative. By collectively supporting inclusive media, we can further its production and help to mitigate the effects of little representation.

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Advocating for positive body image and diverse representation in media is vital for creating a society in which we do not develop harmful stereotypes, biases, and negative self-images. We must challenge societal norms and support diverse media as one way of empowering the people of the world to accept themselves and each other regardless of differences.