Abstract
In this content analysis, the covers of 21popular women's and men's magazines were examined forgendered messages related to bodily appearance. Magazinecovers were divided according to gender of readers and each cover was reviewed using a checklistdesigned to analyze visual images and text as well asthe placement of each on the covers. Analyses showedthat 78% of the covers of the women's magazinescontained a message regarding bodily appearance, whereasnone of the covers of the men's magazines did so.Twenty-five percent of the women's magazine coverscontained conflicting messages regarding weightloss and dietary habits.In addition, the positioning ofweight-related messages on the covers often implied thatlosing weight may lead to a better life. Men's magazinesfocus on providing entertainment and expanding knowledge, hobbies, and activities; women'smagazines continue to focus on improving one's life bychanging one's appearance.
REFERENCES
Anderson, A. E., & DiDomenico, L. (1992). Diet vs. shape content of popular male and female magazines: A dose-response relationship to the incidence of eating disorders? International Journal of Eating Disorders, 11, 283–287.
Chrisler, J. C. (1994). Reframing women's weight: Does thin equal healthy? In A. Dan (Ed.), Reframing women's health: Multidisciplinary research and practice. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Ciliska, D. (1990). Beyond dieting: Psychoeducational interventions for chronically obese women-a nondieting approach. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Faludi, S. (1991). Backlash: The undeclared war against American women. New York: Crown.
Freedman, T. (1986). Beauty bound. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath.
Lee, D. (1998). Make the cover a sales tool. Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management. On-line. Available: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/unive rse/docum...5a3&_md5=6c7c5c4598976a0d f9b148028bbd 3c87.
Nemeroff, C. J., Stein, R. I., Diehl, N. S., & Smilack, K. M. (1994). From the Cleavers to the Clintons: Role choices and body orientation as reflected in magazine article content. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 16, 167–176.
Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (1985). Dieting and bingeing:A causal analysis. American Psychologist, 40, 193–201.
Simmon's study of media and markets. (1987). New York: Simmon's Market Research Bureau, Inc.
Wadden, T. A., Brown, G., Foster, G. D., & Linowitz, J. R. (1991). Salience of weightrelated worries in adolescent males and females. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 407–414.
Wolf, N. (1991). The beauty myth: How images of beauty are used against women. New York: William Morrow.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Malkin, A.R., Wornian, K. & Chrisler, J.C. Women and Weight: Gendered Messages on Magazine Covers. Sex Roles 40, 647–655 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018848332464
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018848332464