Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/3153
Title: Body image of self and other : in contemporary society
Authors: Gatt, Marcelle
Keywords: Body image
Physical fitness
Mass media -- Influence
Issue Date: 2011
Abstract: Body image is the way we look at ourselves and others; what we see and what we think about people's physical appearance, including our own. Society always imposed cultural ideals on what is right and wrong; on what is good and bad, and on what is desirable and non-desirable. Ideals regarding body-image are mainly promoted by the fashion, beauty, pharmaceutical and food industries which prosper on consumerism related to obtaining the unattainable goal of physical perfection. This study is aimed at understanding whether we are influenced or not by the standards set by society and culture; standards that tend to drive us to being obsessed with thinness, muscle enlargement and youth. Issues in this study revolve around the acute anxiety some might feel over a missed workout and the effects of this current masochist race towards slenderness. For this research, data was gathered with the means of a questionnaire and focus groups in order to obtain various perceptions on self image and that of others. Respondents for this research project came from a local gym. Analysis of data shows that in general, people are aware that regular physical activity is important for a healthy lifestyle. Yet, a lack of knowledge on how to be active in a healthy way seems to be portrayed by most participants. Such a contradiction might be due to the societal pressures and ambiguous media messages that make us more concerned with appearance than personality and overall health.
Description: DIP. S.L.S.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/3153
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - InsPES - 2011

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