Role portrayal in advertising and editorial content, and eating disorders: an Asian perspective

Researchers have postulated that exposure to images of thin ‘ideal body’ women portrayed in advertising and editorial content on television and in magazines contributes to eating disorders among female college students in Western countries. The central aim of this study is to examine the relationship between such advertising and editorial, and self- reports of eating disorder and body image dissatisfaction among Hong Kong females. The Eating Attitude Test (EAT) and Body Dissatisfaction subscale in the Eating Disorder Inventory are employed in a survey of females in Hong Kong. The analysis indicates that overall media consumption is a positive predictor of eating disorder and body image dissatisfaction. Several policy recommendations and suggestions for future research are made.