Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effect of Simultaneous Exercise and Exposure to Thin-Ideal Music Videos on Women’s State Self-Objectification, Mood and Body Satisfaction

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study examined the simultaneous impact of thin-ideal music videos and exercise on state self-objectification, mood and body satisfaction, in order to assess whether exercise can ameliorate the usually found negative effects of appearance-focused media. One-hundred and eighty-four South Australian undergraduate women viewed appearance-focused or neutral music videos, with half in each condition simultaneously participating in a bout of exercise or in quiet rest. Participants completed pre- and post- state measures of mood, body satisfaction and self-objectification. As expected, exposure to appearance-focused music videos produced increased state self-objectification in comparison to neutral images. For body satisfaction, an interaction emerged for the dimension of physical attractiveness, whereby women who exercised and watched appearance-focused video clips felt more attractive than women watching the same clips who did not exercise, and felt no less attractive than women who watched neutral clips. The findings demonstrate that thin-ideal music videos serve to increase state self-objectification, but that exercise can ameliorate the negative effects of idealized media images on women’s feelings of physical attractiveness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ashby, S. L., & Rich, M. (2005). Video killed the radio star: The effects of music videos on adolescent health. Adolescent Medicine Clinics, 16, 371–393. doi:10.1016/j.admecli.2005.02.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, B. T., & Dittmar, H. (2011). Does media type matter? The role of identification in adolescent girls’ media consumption and the impact of different thin-ideal media on body image. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 65, 478–490. doi:10.1007/s11199-011-9964-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, B. T., Lawton, R., & Dittmar, H. (2007). The impact of thin models in music videos on adolescent girls’ body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 4, 137–145. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2007.02.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biddle, S. J. H., & Mutrie, N. (2008). Psychology of physical activity: Determinants, well-being and interventions (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borzekowski, D. L. G., Robinson, T. N., & Killen, J. D. (2000). Does the camera add 10 pounds? Media use, perceived importance of appearance, and weight concerns among teenage girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 26, 36–41. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00044-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2009). Effects of exercise interventions on body image: A meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 780–793. doi:10.1177/1359105309338977.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fallon, E. A., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2005). Media images of the “ideal” female body: Can acute exercise moderate their psychological impact? Body Image, 2, 62–73. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.12.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification theory: Toward understanding women’s lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21, 173–206. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., Roberts, T. A., Noll, S. M., Quinn, D. M., & Twenge, J. M. (1998). That swimsuit becomes you: Sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating, and math performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 269–284. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.269.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gapinski, K. D., Brownell, K. D., & LaFrance, M. (2003). Body objectification and “fat talk”: Effects on emotion, motivation, and cognitive performance. Sex Roles, 48, 377–388. doi:10.1023/A:1023516209973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grabe, S., Ward, L. M., & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of the media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin, 134, 460–476. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenleaf, C. (2005). Self-objectification among physically active women. Sex Roles, 52, 51–62. doi:10.1007/s11199-005-1193-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groesz, L. M., Levine, M. P., & Murnen, S. K. (2002). The effect of experimental presentation of thin media images on body satisfaction: A meta-analytic review. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 31, 1–16. doi:10.1002/eat.10005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell, E., & Dittmar, H. (2005). The role of self-improvement and self-evaluation motives in social comparisons with idealised female bodies in the media. Body Image, 2, 249–261. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.05.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, B., & Tiggemann, M. (2008). The effect of thin ideal media images on women’s self-objectification, mood, and body image. Sex Roles, 58, 649–657. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9379-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hausenblas, H. A., & Fallon, E. A. (2006). Exercise and body image: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Health, 21, 33–47. doi:10.1080/14768320500105270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hebl, M. R., King, E. B., & Lin, J. (2004). The swimsuit becomes us all: Ethnicity, gender, and vulnerability to self-objectification. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1322–1331. doi:10.1177/0146167204264052.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heinberg, L. J., & Thompson, J. K. (1995). Body image and televised images of thinness and attractiveness: A controlled laboratory investigation. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 14, 325–338. doi:10.1521/jscp.1995.14.4.325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, R. N., Anshel, M. H., & Michael, T. (2006). Effects of aerobic and circuit training on fitness and body image among women. Journal of Sport Behavior, 29, 281–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. O., & Wyatt, H. R. (2005). Role of physical activity in preventing and treating obesity. Journal of Applied Physiology, 99, 765–770. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00137.2005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hine, R. (2011). In the margins: The impact of sexualised images on the mental health of ageing women. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 65, 632–646. doi:10.1007/s11199-011-9978-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huberty, J. L., Ransdell, L. B., Sidman, C., Flohr, J. A., Schultz, B., Grosshans, O., & Durrant, L. (2008). Explaining long-term exercise adherence in women who complete a structured exercise program. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 79, 374–384.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, J. H., Fujiyama, H., Sugano, A., Okamura, T., Chang, M., & Onouha, F. (2006). Psychological responses to exercising in laboratory and natural environments. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7, 345–359. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2005.11.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, K. A., Laake, R. A., & Bernard, A. (2006). Do the depictions of sexual attire and sexual behavior in music videos differ based on video network and character gender? American Journal of Health Education, 37, 146–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laake, R. A., & King, K. A. (2005). Depiction of sexuality in music videos. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76, A41.

    Google Scholar 

  • LePage, M. L., & Crowther, J. H. (2010). The effects of exercise on body satisfaction and affect. Body Image, 7, 124–130. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.12.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, J. L. (2007). Hidden sexism: Facial prominence and its connections to gender and occupational status in popular print media. Sex Roles, 57, 515–525. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9276-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miner-Rubino, K., Twenge, J. M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2002). Trait self-objectification in women: Affective and personality correlates. Journal of Research in Personality, 36, 147–172. doi:10.1006/jrpe.2001.2343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noll, S. M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (1998). A mediational model linking self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 22, 623–636. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1998.tb00181.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prichard, I., & Tiggemann, M. (2005a). Objectification in fitness centers: Self-objectification, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating in aerobic instructors and aerobic participants. Sex Roles, 53, 19–28. doi:10.1007/s11199-005-4270-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prichard, I., & Tiggemann, M. (2005b). Self-objectification, body image and reasons for exercise Proceedings of the 40th APS Annual Conference (pp. 253–257). Melbourne Australia: The Australian Psychological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prichard, I., & Tiggemann, M. (2008). Relations among exercise type, self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environment: The role of reasons for exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9, 855–866. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.10.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quigg, S. L., & Want, S. C. (2011). Highlighting media modifications: Can a television commercial mitigate the effects of music videos on female appearance satisfaction? Body Image, 8, 135–142. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.11.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ravaldi, C., Vannacci, A., Zucchi, T., Mannucci, E., Cabras, P. L., Boldrini, M., . . . Ricca, V. (2003). Eating disorders and body image disturbances among ballet dancers, gymnasium users and body builders. Psychopathology, 36, 247–254. doi:10.1159/000073450

  • Reed, J., & Ones, D. S. (2006). The effect of acute aerobic exercise on positive activated affect: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7, 477–514. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2005.11.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rethorst, C. D., Wipfli, B. M., & Landers, D. M. (2009). The antidepressive effects of exercise: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. Sports Medicine, 39, 491–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, T. A., & Gettman, J. Y. (2004). Mere exposure: Gender differences in the negative effects of priming a state of self-objectification. Sex Roles, 51, 17–27. doi:10.1023/.B:SERS.0000032306.20462.22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seidman, S. A. (1999). Revisiting sex-role stereotyping in MTV videos. International Journal of Instructional Media, 26, 11–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2006). The contribution of physical activity and media use during childhood and adolescence to adult women’s body image. Journal of Health Psychology, 11, 553–565. doi:10.1177/1359105306065016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sommers-Flanagan, R., Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Davis, B. (1993). What’s happening on music television? A gender role content analysis. Sex Roles, 28, 745–753. doi:10.1007/BF00289991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stankiewicz, J. M., & Rosselli, F. (2008). Women as sex objects and victims in print advertisements. Sex Roles, 58, 579–589. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9359-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strelan, P., Mehaffey, S. J., & Tiggemann, M. (2003). Self-Objectification and esteem in young women: The mediating role of reasons for exercise. Sex Roles, 48, 89–95. doi:10.1023/A:1022300930307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sypeck, M. F., Gray, J. J., & Ahrens, A. H. (2004). No longer just a pretty face: Fashion magazines’ depictions of ideal female beauty from 1959 to 1999. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36, 342–347. doi:10.1002/eat.20039.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., & Boundy, M. (2008). Effect of environment and appearance compliment on college women’s self-objectification, mood, body shame, and cognitive performance. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32, 399–405. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.00453.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., & Pickering, A. S. (1996). Role of television in adolescent women’s body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 20, 199–203. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199609)20:2<199::AID-EAT11>3.0.CO;2-Z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., & Slater, A. (2004). Thin ideals in music television: A source of social comparison and body dissatisfaction. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 35, 48–58. doi:10.1002/eat.10214.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. S. (2011). Sex and the spectacle of music videos: An examination of the portrayal of race and sexuality in music videos. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 64, 173–191. doi:10.1007/s11199-010-9766-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vocks, S., Hechler, T., Rohrig, S., & Legenbauer, T. (2009). Effects of a physical exercise session on state body image: The influence of pre-experimental body satisfaction and concerns about weight and shape. Psychology and Health, 24, 713–728. doi:10.1080/08870440801998988.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallis, C. (2011). Performing gender: A content analysis of gender display in music videos. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 64, 160–172. doi:10.1007/s11199-010-9814-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Want, S. C. (2009). Meta-analytic moderators of experimental exposure to media protrayals of women on female appearance satisfaction: Social comparison as automatic processes. Body Image, 6, 257–269. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.07.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, P. A., & Cash, T. F. (2001). Effects of a circuit training program on the body images of college students. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 30, 75–82. doi:10.1002/eat.1056.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    Ivanka Prichard & Marika Tiggemann

  2. Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    Ivanka Prichard

  3. Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001

    Ivanka Prichard

Authors
  1. Ivanka Prichard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marika Tiggemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ivanka Prichard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prichard, I., Tiggemann, M. The Effect of Simultaneous Exercise and Exposure to Thin-Ideal Music Videos on Women’s State Self-Objectification, Mood and Body Satisfaction. Sex Roles 67, 201–210 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-012-0167-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-012-0167-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation