Swimsuit issues: promoting positive body image in young women's magazines

Abstract

Issue addressed This preliminary study reviews the promotion of healthy body image to young Australian women, following the 2009 introduction of the voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image. The Code includes using diverse sized models in magazines. Method A qualitative content analysis of the 2010 annual ‘swimsuit issues’ was conducted on 10 Australian young women's magazines. Pictorial and/or textual editorial evidence of promoting diverse body shapes and sizes was regarded as indicative of the magazines' upholding aspects of the voluntary Code of Conduct for Body Image. Results Diverse sized models were incorporated in four of the seven magazines with swimsuit features sampled. Body size differentials were presented as part of the swimsuit features in three of the magazines sampled. Tips for diverse body type enhancement were included in four of the magazines. All magazines met at least one criterion. One magazine displayed evidence of all three criteria. Conclusion Preliminary examination suggests that more than half of young women's magazines are upholding elements of the voluntary Code of Conduct for Body Image, through representation of diverse‐sized women in their swimsuit issues. So what? Body image remains a significant issue in regard to the promotion of healthy lifestyles for Australian women. The Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image warrants further research to track its adoption and evaluate its impact.

Population‐level policy recommendations for the prevention of disordered weight control behaviors: A scoping review

“…Instead, authors proposed that policies be introduced to diversify body sizes across varying forms of media. Three articles proposed voluntary industry measures, collaboration with industry stakeholders, and financial incentives to promote body diversity in media (Boyd & Moncrieff‐Boyd, 2011; McBride et al, 2019; Neumark‐Sztainer, 2016), three articles provided general recommendations to increase the diversity of appearances in general media (Giorgianni et al, 2020; Paraskeva et al, 2017; Sánchez‐Carracedo et al, 2017), and three articles recommended industry‐ and government‐led initiatives to promote employment protections for fashion models and regulations pertaining to their body size and weight (Rodgers et al, 2017; Rodgers et al, 2021; Saunders et al, 2019). One article specifically found strong public support from the general population for policies requiring children's television programs to portray diverse body sizes (Suh et al, 2014b).…”

“…Instead, authors proposed that policies be introduced to diversify body sizes across varying forms of media. Three articles proposed voluntary industry measures, collaboration with industry stakeholders, and financial incentives to promote body diversity in media (Boyd & Moncrieff-Boyd, 2011;McBride et al, 2019;Neumark-Sztainer, 2016), three articles provided general recommendations to increase the diversity of appearances in general media (Giorgianni et al, 2020;Paraskeva et al, 2017;Sánchez-Carracedo et al, 2017), and three articles recommended industry-and government-led initiatives to…”

The effect of body shape and swimsuit type on the comfort of Chinese women wearing swimsuits

“…The style structure and body shape of a swimsuit together with the ultimate fit are not enough, however, to eradicate these issues. 17,18 Therefore, when designing swimsuits for the female body/form, numerous variables need to be considered, including, but not limited, to the cover factor (percentage of swimsuit material to the body), 19 visual comfort (aesthetic design of the surface material), 22 athletic function, 2 material/swimsuit performance, tactile comfort, 17 and fit to body shape. 18 The design of swimsuits for female swimmers is undergoing continuing research and development, and innovative improvements are being made in terms of swimsuit styles and swimsuit materials.…”

“…17,18 Therefore, when designing swimsuits for the female body/form, numerous variables need to be considered, including, but not limited, to the cover factor (percentage of swimsuit material to the body), 19 visual comfort (aesthetic design of the surface material), 22 athletic function, 2 material/swimsuit performance, tactile comfort, 17 and fit to body shape. 18 The design of swimsuits for female swimmers is undergoing continuing research and development, and innovative improvements are being made in terms of swimsuit styles and swimsuit materials. However, these improvements to noncompetitive swimsuits are limited, and are usually carried out in the three areas of pressure comfort, thermal and moisture comfort, and tactile comfort.…”