The Slim-Thick Ideal: Its Impact on Women's Body Image and Eating, Exercise, and Body Modification Behaviours

Past research has widely focused on the impact of idealized images of unrealistically thin or fit women, referred to as the thin- and fit-ideal, on young women’s body image. Recently, a more curvaceous take on the thin-ideal, called the slim-thick-ideal, characterized by a small waist and flat stomach, but large hips, butt, and breasts has gained popularity in mainstream media. Despite an increase in the popularity of this ideal, little is known about the impact of the slim-thick-ideal on women’s body image and which women aspire to this ideal. As such, in three studies I sought to investigate who was likely to aspire to the slim-thick-ideal, and its impact on women’s body image. Study 1 sought to investigate the comparative impact of the slim-thick-ideal on women’s body image, relative to the thin- and fit-ideal, and if physical appearance perfectionism moderated these findings. It was found that exposure to all three body ideals resulted in increased weight and appearance dissatisfaction and lower overall body satisfaction, which was most pronounced for those who saw the slim-thick-ideal, and among those high on physical appearance perfectionism. Study 2 sought to replicate the findings of Study 1, to investigate which body ideal was most preferred among young women, and which personality and behavioural traits were characteristic of women who aspired to each ideal. Study 1 findings were replicated. The slim-thick-ideal was rated as the most attractive and desirable of the three ideals. Those who aspired to the slim-thick-ideal reported greater disordered eating, dietary restraint, physical appearance perfectionism, and body modification behaviours than those who aspired to the thin- or fit-ideal. Study 3 investigated if there was an association between preferred ideal and ethnicity and eating, purging, exercise, and body modification behaviours. Women of colour preferred the slim-thick-ideal most; White women endorsed each ideal in equal proportions. For the most part, there was no association between preferred body ideal and eating, purging, exercise or body modification behaviours, indicating that those who aspire to the slim-thick-ideal are engaging in the same harmful behaviours as those who aspire to the thin- and fit-ideal. Clinical implications are discussed.