Cited by 190Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorLiteracy, Media, and Education

The role of media literacy in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: A systematic review

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McLean, Siân A., Paxton, Susan J., Wertheim, Eleanor H.·2016·Body Image

Abstract

This study comprised a systematic review of literature examining empirical relationships between levels of media literacy and body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The review aimed to integrate research on this topic. Electronic databases were searched for key concepts: media literacy, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating. Media literacy measures were coded for consistency with media literacy constructs. Sixteen eligible studies were identified. Cross-sectional outcomes depended upon the media literacy construct assessed. Some relationships between high scores on measures consistent with media literacy constructs and low scores on body dissatisfaction and related attitudes were found. Media literacy-based interventions revealed improvements in media literacy constructs realism scepticism, influence of media, and awareness of media motives for profit, and improvements in body-related variables, but not disordered eating. Further research examining relationships between theoretically driven media literacy constructs and body and eating concerns is needed. Recommendations are made for evaluating media literacy-based eating disorder prevention.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.08.002

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Authors
McLean, S. A., Paxton, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H.
Affiliations
La Trobe University (AU)
Corresponding author
McLean, Siân A.
Venue
Body Image
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-12
Volume
19
Pages
9-23
ISSN
1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2512980686
Cited by
190
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 1
FWCI
1.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Body Image (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Australian Rotary Health
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Literacy, Media, and Education
Keywords
media literacy, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, eating disorders, media literacy interventions, media influence, eating disorder prevention
MeSH terms
Literacy, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Image, Cross-Sectional Studies, Emotions, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Mass Media, Periodicals as Topic, Self Concept, Television

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