Contemporary Study: Becker et al 2002
Eating behaviours following prolonged exposures to television
Aim:
Anna Becker et al’s aim was to investigate the impact of Western attitudes on the eating
behaviours and related attitudes of teenage girls. They were interested in the effect that the
ideas communicated through TV programmes would have on body satisfaction and eating
disorders.
Procedure: Findings:
Independent groups design, IV= exposure to Weight did not differ between the 2
Western TV, DV= eating behaviours groups of girls.
measured by a standard questionnaire. TV viewings did increase, 41% in 1995 and
One group of teenage girls in Fiji were 71% in 1998/
questioned after Western TV was Scores of dysfunctional eating increased,
introduced after 1995. 12.7% in 1995 and 29.2% in 1998.
A different group of girls was asked 3 Purging = 11.3%
years later in 1998. Felt too fat = 74%
EAT-26 questionnaire as a semi-structured Dieting = 69%
interview about attitudes to eating and Dieting is alien in Fijian culture showing
body image. Gathered quantitative data. that the TV had a large impact on the
Initial sample 63 Fijian girls with a mean girl’s ideas.
age of 17 and the 2nd sample was 65 Fijian They thought the TV characters to be role
girls. models.
Participants filled out questionnaires in
their homes with a translator, height and Conclusion:
weight also recorded. 1988 group was asked Women in Western TV became role models
additional questions. to the Fijian girls, leading them to desire
Girls who scored over the threshold for thinner bodies.
dysfunctional eating based on the EAT-26 This lead to a higher dysfunctional eating
were given further interviews - these were pattern showing the harm in rapid social
recorded and transcribed. change.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN):
Mental disorder characterised by bingeing and purging behaviours.
Bingeing involves eating excessive amounts of food within a short period of time.
After this period, the purging begins to over-compensate for the excessive eating.
Achieved by self-indulged vomiting, laxitives or other medications.
Eating behaviours following prolonged exposures to television
Aim:
Anna Becker et al’s aim was to investigate the impact of Western attitudes on the eating
behaviours and related attitudes of teenage girls. They were interested in the effect that the
ideas communicated through TV programmes would have on body satisfaction and eating
disorders.
Procedure: Findings:
Independent groups design, IV= exposure to Weight did not differ between the 2
Western TV, DV= eating behaviours groups of girls.
measured by a standard questionnaire. TV viewings did increase, 41% in 1995 and
One group of teenage girls in Fiji were 71% in 1998/
questioned after Western TV was Scores of dysfunctional eating increased,
introduced after 1995. 12.7% in 1995 and 29.2% in 1998.
A different group of girls was asked 3 Purging = 11.3%
years later in 1998. Felt too fat = 74%
EAT-26 questionnaire as a semi-structured Dieting = 69%
interview about attitudes to eating and Dieting is alien in Fijian culture showing
body image. Gathered quantitative data. that the TV had a large impact on the
Initial sample 63 Fijian girls with a mean girl’s ideas.
age of 17 and the 2nd sample was 65 Fijian They thought the TV characters to be role
girls. models.
Participants filled out questionnaires in
their homes with a translator, height and Conclusion:
weight also recorded. 1988 group was asked Women in Western TV became role models
additional questions. to the Fijian girls, leading them to desire
Girls who scored over the threshold for thinner bodies.
dysfunctional eating based on the EAT-26 This lead to a higher dysfunctional eating
were given further interviews - these were pattern showing the harm in rapid social
recorded and transcribed. change.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN):
Mental disorder characterised by bingeing and purging behaviours.
Bingeing involves eating excessive amounts of food within a short period of time.
After this period, the purging begins to over-compensate for the excessive eating.
Achieved by self-indulged vomiting, laxitives or other medications.
