Study Claims Plus-Size Models in Ads Can Make Women More Self-Conscious
Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual ad campaign from 2015. (Photo: Courtesy of Lane Bryant)
Skinny models make women feel bad about themselves, but plus-sized models with bodies that more closely resemble the majority of women should do the opposite, right? Actually, no. According to a new study from Canada’s Simon Fraser University, ads that prominently feature plus-size models aren’t so good for your self-esteem, either. While ad campaigns like Dove’s Love Your Body campaign and Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual have been applauded for celebrating bodies that are usually stigmatized in society, researchers are saying that any advertisement that places any kind of value judgment body type can be detrimental to self-esteem.
“We think marketers should consider featuring different body sizes, and not to put such an emphasis or value judgment on any body type,” Lily Lin, PhD, and co-author of the study, told People. “As we have seen from past research and on our current work, making body types ‘top of mind’ may have negative consequences.”
What Lin and McFerran’s research is saying is that making a big deal out of the size of a woman’s body, no matter how big or small or “average” is potentially detrimental to a woman’s self-perception — after all, it’s always putting her body on scrutiny. “We acknowledge that campaigns that can help promote healthy images or enhance people’s body esteem are very important and critical.” Lin concluded. “Based on this work, however, we believe that statements that place a value judgment on any body type could have implications for consumers.”
Related:
Meet Clementine Desseaux, Louboutin’s First Plus-Size Model
Plus-Size Models on What They’re Tired of Hearing and Where the Conversation Should Go
Plus-Size Model Tess Holliday Encourages Women to #EffYourBeautyStandards
