Media influence on the perception of body image among students in UAE

ABSTRACT

This study intended to determine the degree of influence of the media in comparison to other factors on the perception of body image of students in the UAE. This cross-sectional survey collected data from 372 school and college students residing in UAE [129 males, 243 females] using a self-administered questionnaire. The data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, BMI, social factors, and influence of different media on perceived body image. Data was entered on Excel and analyzed on PASW 18.0 version using frequencies, percentages, chi-square. It was noted that 28% of the sample found media to be the most influential factor on perception of appearance, of which internet was found to be the most influential medium [47.3% males and 42% females] on the perception of body image, followed by television [31% males and 37% females]. Media were not as important as "attitude of family" [37.4%], "attitude of the opposite sex" [36.9%] or "attitude of friends/ peers" [34.7% which ranked highest among the most influencing factors. Media were considered moderately influencing [37.4%], with the other factor having almost equal importance. Media had effect only on the emotional and cognitive aspects. It was found that no single factor among the tested influential factors had a great impact on the body image of the youth of UAE, though there were several moderately influencing factors of almost equal importance. The overweight participants considered media to have "strong influence" [p<0.06] which was not statistically significant. similar to Western studies media have effect on the emotional and cognitive aspects of body image but the findings were different in that the media were not the single most important factor in influencing body image. The internet is the most influential medium for both males and females which may be used for any change in this regard