New Study Finds Exposure to Plus-Sized Models Has Many Benefits

A new study from Florida State University compared women's responses when viewing images of thinner-than-average models to models with average and larger body sizes. The study used college-aged women who expressed a desire to lose weight and found that when the participants were exposed to images of the larger models, they expressed more personal body satisfaction and made fewer negative comparisons between their own bodies and those of the models. Even the participant's heart rates slowed down when exposed to average and larger models! Because believing that there are societal norms that we are failing is stressful.

Interestingly, participants remembered more details about the plus-sized models, a fact that could help convince marketers to use a more diverse array of body sizes. Russell Clayton, the lead author of the study, noted, "It might be a useful persuasive strategy for media producers to employ plus-size models if the goal of the campaign is to capture attention while also promoting body positivity.”

I'd like to point out that, because the study targeted women interested in weight loss, results may have differed for individuals with other body-image opinions. This is why we need an array of bodies displayed in the media: so that everyone has an opportunity to see people like them being represented.