Study of Fashion Models Body Image and Eating Behaviors

• Main Authors: WANG,SHENG-FEN, 王聖芬
• Other Authors: Huang,Shih-Hao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/3ue66u

碩士 === 台北海洋科技大學 === 食品科技與行銷系碩士班 === 107 === This study looks into the changes in body image of professional fashion models in Northern Taiwan, taking into account age and gender. We also investigate models’ dietary tendencies, and whether they are at risk of suffering from an eating disorder. A sample of 160 self-administered questionnaires and 37 interviews were obtained. The questionnaires show that 72 out of 73 male models are within the normal weight range, with an average BMI of 21.6; while 73 out of 87 female models are underweight, with an average BMI of 17.7. There are 81.6% of professional fashion models were found to be underweight. The results of the questionnaire show that female models tended to lose weight, while male models tended to gain it. The results show that 30.1% male models underestimate their weight, while 83.9% female models overestimate their weight, revealing a gender-based deviation between self-perceived and actual body weight. A correlation is shown between a higher body image score and seniority, as models under three years have the lowest body image scores, while models with over ten years of experience have the highest body image scores. While comparing genders, female models’ body image scores were higher than their male counterparts. However, male models were more satisfied with their body satisfaction than female models, which met our interviews. Female models placed more value on appearance than male models. Dietary tendencies and seniority seem to be unrelated. Models had an average nutrition intake, consuming enough grains and root vegetables, but somewhat lacking in dairy products. Models showed poor eating tendencies, such as using food to celebrate or reward themselves. The dining time is not fixed, and they usually eat beyond the time for three meals, and do not emphasize techniques of Calorie intake. In this study, 19 models showed disordered eating, but models are not a high risk group for eating disorders. Self-perceived body weight is highly correlated with eating disorders, as those who overestimated their weight accounted tended to suffer from disordered eating. In-depth interviews found that male models tended to exercise to maintain their figure, while female models tended to diet in order to keep in shape. In this study, social media has been shown to have a positive influence in both body image and eating behaviors in models. It is recommended for models to build up a positive body image, and develop proper eating behaviors, and then influence the public perception of beauty and healthy eating behaviors through social media. It is also recommended that model agencies should not only look at body weight. They should also offer models healthy eating information and appropriate fitness courses, encouraging acceptance for all body types and promoting a healthy body image.