Abstract
Media exposure to the thin ideal has been shown to have a negative impact on body image. Viewing music videos that depict images of the thin ideal is associated with increased body dissatisfaction in women. However, whether these effects are due to the images in the videos or the lyrics in the songs is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of music lyrics on body image in physically active female university students. A repeated measure design was used; participants participated in three sessions, where they listened to a different playlist of current pop music. The playlist consisted of music with positive body image messages, negative body image messages, and no reference to body image. Following listening to each playlist, participants completed measures of body image and affect assessing social physique anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and positive and negative affect. Results showed on average positive affect was higher after listening to the positive music compared to the negative music and control condition, and on average women felt less fat following the positive condition compared to the negative and control condition. Lyrics that promote all body shapes sizes, may lead to more positive psychological outcomes, however further research should be completed to explore the effects music has on body image outcomes in other samples, such as less active women.
