Reference no: EM133877098

Question

Due in part to popularity and pervasiveness, the media are powerful communicators of cultural norms, including what it means to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Studies have found that the contents of health and fitness-related magazines emphasize appearance rather than health or performance.15, 16 Although magazines are certainly pervasive in our society, a more popular form of media is the internet. In 2013, it is estimated that 2.7 billion people (nearly 40% of the global population) use the internet.17 Tiggemann and Miller examined the relationship between exposure to internet media and body image in adolescent females. Results indicated that exposure to the internet was associated with greater internalization of the thin ideal, appearance comparison, weight dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness.18 Studies have further demonstrated that the Internet is a popular source of health-related information. A 2013 study estimated that 59% of adults who used the Internet at some point in the past year looked for health information online.19 Therefore, it stands to reason that the Internet may also be a popular source of information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.