background Many people, especially young girls, are insecure and dissatisfied with their appearance. The cult of the body has become a mass phenomenon which has taken on an important social dimension in a society where norms and images are broadcast widely by the media. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that social comparison was related to higher levels of body dissatisfaction. The effect for social comparison and body dissatisfaction was stronger for women than men and inversely related to age. The trend towards body-modification by cosmetic surgery at an early age is increasing dramatically.
aim To present the results of an online survey of 40.000 Dutch people assessing body image (dis)satisfaction, media influences and desire for cosmetic changes.
method Online survey consisting of the body size drawings, the body areas satisfaction scale (BASS), appearance evaluation, appearance orientation and exposure to mass media.
results Most of the Dutch women prefer the thin-ideal, but they are rather satisfied with the appearance of their body and face. Women do read more frequently women magazines and spend more hours watching appearance-related television programs compared to men. When they spend less hours per day watching manipulated ideal images, they will judge their appearance more positively.
conclusion Women who suffer from their appearance are advised to watch less beautyrelated television programs or magazines. To improve judgement of one’s appearance, it is important to decrease social comparison, especially with manipulated ideal images. Appearance is more important for women compared to men.