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Swimsuit issues: promoting positive body image in young women's magazines
Author(s) -
Reid Boyd Elizabeth,
MoncrieffBoyd Jessica
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he11102
Subject(s) - promotion (chess) , representation (politics) , code (set theory) , advertising , content analysis , sociology , political science , social science , computer science , law , business , set (abstract data type) , politics , programming language
Issue addressed This preliminary study reviews the promotion of healthy body image to young Australian women, following the 2009 introduction of the voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image. The Code includes using diverse sized models in magazines. Method A qualitative content analysis of the 2010 annual ‘swimsuit issues’ was conducted on 10 Australian young women's magazines. Pictorial and/or textual editorial evidence of promoting diverse body shapes and sizes was regarded as indicative of the magazines' upholding aspects of the voluntary Code of Conduct for Body Image. Results Diverse sized models were incorporated in four of the seven magazines with swimsuit features sampled. Body size differentials were presented as part of the swimsuit features in three of the magazines sampled. Tips for diverse body type enhancement were included in four of the magazines. All magazines met at least one criterion. One magazine displayed evidence of all three criteria. Conclusion Preliminary examination suggests that more than half of young women's magazines are upholding elements of the voluntary Code of Conduct for Body Image, through representation of diverse‐sized women in their swimsuit issues. So what? Body image remains a significant issue in regard to the promotion of healthy lifestyles for Australian women. The Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image warrants further research to track its adoption and evaluate its impact.