A Systematic Review and Research Agenda on the Influence of the Media and Celebrities on Body Image

Abstract

Purpose: Smartphones and the other internet supported gadgets have brought us very close to the glamour industry. The intentional representation entertainment industry does of only the 'beautiful, most attractive and the perfect faces and bodies' hides the enormous sum of money that is invested into this depiction. What is hidden from us is an army of professionals to help them look the way they look. There are people to design them clothes suiting their body type and clothe them, apply flawless makeup to conceal defects in every visible area of their bodies and on top of it another professional to capture and edit those perfect videos and photos that we see. These celebrities have the money to afford the best dietician, cook and the fitness trainer so that they fit into the bodily statistics given to them by the industry. This research on literature was done to understand the existing literature about body image issues, the extensive role of media & various other factors, its occurrence across females and males in all age groups. It also studies the psychological effect that the body image issues can cause and the corrective measures taken by those who suffer and the clinicians. The researcher eventually aims to instil a feeling of responsibility in celebrities about how they do not represent reality but depict a false sense of perfect body image and also to raise alertness among the general public about the need of focusing on internal health and better life rather than idealising celebrities and their slender bodies.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is constructed on qualitative review of books, online articles, and research studies so as to better comprehend the effect of the celebrities on ordinary population including children.

Findings/Result: The conclusions of this literature review show that celebrities and media are linked to body image disruption. As a result, this article delivers a complete review of the strength of the association between the use of social media and body image disturbance.

Originality/Value: The study reviews the existing literature on the influence of media and media influencers on body image that may further lead to negative body image, behavioural and psychosocial disruption in human personality.

Paper Type: Review of existing literature