Depiction of female beauty in fashion versus fitness magazines: Implications for the development of body dissatisfaction

Eight popular women's magazines (four fashion and four health/fitness) from 1995-2005 were analyzed for content. Results indicated while fashion magazine cover models were thinner than health/fitness models, health/fitness models were getting smaller over time. Additionally, there were no differences in the amount of revealing clothing depicted on the covers of fashion and health/fitness magazines however, each type of magazine emphasized different body parts. Both fashion and health/fitness magazines were depicting more revealing clothing over time, however the association was stronger with the fashion magazines. Most of the ads and articles in fashion and health/fitness magazines depicted health content for health purposes, however several ads and articles promoted health content for appearance purposes as well. Finally, many food and drink ads and articles promoted diet products. A discussion was presented regarding how conflicting media messages, the social comparison process, and the media's influence on trendsetting could influence body dissatisfaction after viewing certain magazines.