Industry documents and anecdotal evidence suggest that cigarette packaging can target women by enhancing brand appeal and influencing important beliefs about smoking. Little research has been conducted on how cigarette pack design might contribute to young women's faulty beliefs about smoking. This study sought to identify package designs that promote misleading beliefs about the health effects of smoking and the relationship between smoking and weight control, and that increase brand appeal among young women; as well as the extent to which plain packaging reduces these beliefs. A between-subjects experiment was conducted in which 512 participants between the ages of 18-25 years viewed cigarette packs using a computerized survey in one of four conditions: female-oriented (n = 141); female-oriented with descriptors (i.e., slims) removed (n = 125); female-oriented without brand imagery or descriptors (“plain”; n = 122); and standard non-female oriented (n = 124). Participants rated 8 cigarette packs on perceptions of appeal, taste, tar, and health risks; and answered questions about smoking and weight control and attitudes towards smoking. Results of the study indicated that women found the female-oriented packs most appealing. Participants also believed that the female-oriented packs had fewer health risks than the same packs with descriptors removed. Women who viewed the plain packs were less likely to believe that smoking helps people control their appetites compared to women who viewed the female-oriented and non-female oriented packs. Women with more weight concerns were more likely to believe in a relationship between smoking and weight control. Overall, this study demonstrates that as packages become “plainer” they become less appealing. Women viewing plain packs were less likely to endorse the belief that smoking can be used for appetite control, and that smoking helps people stay slim; and as descriptors were removed, packs were perceived to have more health risks. Results of the study extend the evidence base on the impact of cigarette packaging on women, and provide support for the implementation of plain packaging to reduce package appeal and faulty beliefs about smoking.

Throughout the years, women have been the focus of eating disorders and body image research. With women being the focus of research in these areas, disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have caught the eyes of researchers. With this new discovery, there has been a recent surge of research on body image issues and men. Originally termed reverse anorexia or bigorexia, Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) has gained the attention of researchers for about a decade (Grieve, 2007; Pope, Katz & Hudson, 1993; Pope, Gruber, Choi, Olivardia & Phillips, 1997). The Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI) was created to measure the symptoms of MD and provide clinicians with an inventory that would aid them in the diagnosis and treatment of MD (Short, 2005). The MDI is a 34-item scale that uses the etiological model proposed by Grieve (2007) and assesses or evaluates the four proposed diagnostic criteria of MD (Short, 2005). Short (2005) developed questions using the four criteria of MD outlined by Olivardia (2001). While the MDI has shown good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .87; Short, 2005), no other psychometric properties have been assessed. The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the MDI so that the accuracy of the measure will be known and it may be used as a diagnostic tool in clinical settings. The hypothesis of the study was that the MDI is a reliable and valid measure. This study assessed the reliability and validity of the MDI through a correlational design. Test-retest reliability and Cronbach’s alpha were used to identify the reliability of the MDI. The MDI was compared to tests that measure traits of MD and to self-reported behaviors, which assessed concurrent and predictive validity of the MDI. The MDI appears to be a good diagnostic tool for clinicians to use when looking at MD. This study examined the reliability and the validity of the MDI. This study shows that the MDI has adequate test-retest reliability, and good internal consistency. The results indicate that the MDI has good concurrent validity when compared to other tests that measure symptoms of MD. Under predictive validity, there was some support to suggest that the MDI can predict MD, however, the predictive validity of the MDI needs to be examined more in-depth. The MDI appears to measure more state symptoms of MD than trait symptoms. This may make it easier for clinicians to detect an emerging problem before it becomes harder for the individual to overcome.

Over the past decade, the study of male body image has increased considerably and substantial levels of body discontent among males have been reported. Accompanying this dissatisfaction is a rise in the documentation of the Drive for Muscularity (DFM), or the desire for increased lean muscle mass, in men. The current study had three objectives. The first was to identify theoretical variables associated with the DFM. The second was to examine body image evaluation and investment in relation to the DFM. The third was to explore the DFM and psychological well-being. Two-hundred fourteen men completed the study and multiple regressions were carried out to examine the various relations. Awareness and internalization of the male body ideal and universalistic social comparison accounted for 35% of the variance in the DFM. Body image investment, but not evaluation, accounted for 26% of the variance in the DFM. Regarding psychological well-being, the DFM accounted for an additional 23% of the variance in muscle pathology after controlling for levels of depression and self-esteem. Other notable findings included mens self-reported intentions to use potentially unhealthy body change strategies to increase size and musculature in the future, and statistically significant associations between the DFM and self-esteem, social physique anxiety, and general worry. These results contribute to the growing literature on male body image and the implications for clinical practice with men presenting with body dissatisfaction are discussed.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to provide insight into the bodyrelated emotional experiences of young Aboriginal women. Four young women took part in this study; three who identified themselves as Aboriginal (one 14-year-old, two 18-year-olds) and one who identified herself as non-Aboriginal (18-year-old). An important strength of this study was that the young women were part of an intact group. The young women were members of a mentorship group at their local high school and this mentorship group was for young women who had faced adversity in their lives.<p>The intent of this study was to listen to the stories and experiences of young women in order to better understand the complex nature of their body-related emotion. Feminist perspective was used to guide the study because it is a voice-centered approach based on listening to women's experiences. Cognitive-Motivational-Relational Theory was used to ground the study because it recognizes that emotion is a complex and context driven process.<p>Through the use of multiple methods (i.e. focus group, one-on-one interviews, artwork) the young women were able to provide an in-depth view of their experiences. Stake's (1995) guidelines for case study data analysis were followed, and the collective story of the young women's body-related emotional experiences have been described. This study contributes to the literature on the body-related emotional experiences of young Aboriginal women in a number of ways. The young women in this study possess many of the positive attributes (i.e. confidence, optimism) that have been associated with resiliency. Also, the emotions that were experienced by the young women were very complex and dependent upon specific contexts. The five themes that emerged from the data were conflicting cultures, need to belong, personal identity, journey to acceptance, and the body affects everything. Overall, the young women in this study noted a general level of body satisfaction, which is inconsistent with previous research surrounding young women's body-related emotion. One of the most important findings from this study is that the body-related emotional experiences of young Aboriginal women are not as negative as previous research has lead us to believe.

Newspaper articles and media have shown that the use of illegal weight loss compounds, such as ephedrine and Melanotan, is becoming more common among adolescent girls, who are at risk of becoming a new group of addicts. These girls are rarely aware of the risks that the use of these compounds entails and the consequences that could adversely affect their bodies, mentally and physically.   The aim of this paper was to investigate the use of and attitudes towards illegal weight loss compounds amongst girls in year three, at Swedish upper secondary schools. In order to do that, a questionnaire was sent out to 120 girls in five different high schools, with varying college preparatory and vocational program directions.   My research shows that the use of illegal weight loss compounds, particularly ephedrine, was found among girls in year three, at upper secondary schools. Seven percent of the girls claimed they use, primarily, ephedrine. This result exceeds earlier studies findings on boys' use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). Throughout the survey a sense of how common the use of and attitudes towards illegal weight loss compounds were amongst these girls was formed. The girls' critical views of their bodies permeate my research, whereas almost half of all girls are experiencing dissatisfaction with their body weight and the majority of the girls want to lose body weight. Regarding the girls' attitudes towards the use of illegal weight loss compounds, one result accounted that almost half of all girls could think of using one if it guaranteed them to be thinner. My research also shows that more information needs to be targeted towards young girls; in order to make them conscious about the dangers of these illegal weight loss compounds. / Tidningsartiklar och media har belyst att bruk av illegala viktminskningspreparat såsom efedrin och Melanotan blir allt mer vanligt bland unga flickor och som riskerar att bli en ny grupp missbrukare. Dessa flickor är sällan medvetna om riskerna och följderna som negativt kan påverka deras kroppar både psykiskt och fysiskt vid bruk av dessa preparat.   Syftet med detta examensarbete var att undersöka förekomsten av bruk och attityd till illegala viktminskningspreparat bland flickor i årskurs tre på gymnasiet. För att kunna ge svar på syftet utfördes en enkätundersökning på 120 flickor på fem olika gymnasieskolor, med varierande studieförberedande och yrkesförberedande programinriktning. Genom undersökningen skapades en uppfattning om hur förekommande bruket av och attityder till illegala viktminskningspreparat var bland flickorna.   Min enkätundersökning visar att 7 % av respondenterna har använt ett illegalt viktminskningspreparat, främst efedrin. Detta resultat överstiger tidigare undersökningars och studiers resultat avseende pojkars bruk av anabola androgena steroider (AAS). Flickornas kritiska syn på sina kroppar genomsyrar min undersökning då nästan hälften upplever missnöje med sin kroppsvikt och majoriteten av flickorna önskar att gå ned i vikt. Avseende flickornas attityd gällande bruk av illegala viktminskningspreparat svarade nästan hälften att de inte är främmande till ett bruk ifall det garanterade dem att bli smala. Min undersökning visar också att mer information behöver riktas mot unga flickor för att medvetandegöra dem om farorna av dessa illegala viktminskningspreparat.

Denna kvalitativa studie handlar om några behandlares upplevelser och erfarenheter kring vilka personer som hamnar i missbruk av anabola androgena steroider(AAS). Den belyser även vilken behanding som finns för problematiken. För att erhålla empiri används semistrukturerade intervjuer på fyra personer som arbetar med behandling av AAS. Resultatet visar att man kan kategorisera AAS-användare i tre olika grupper. När klienter kommer till behandling är det viktigt att man ser till helhetsbilden och att man ser varje individ för sig. Metoder som finns är terapi för det sjuka kroppsidealet, hjälp med träningsmissbruket, läkemedelsassisterad behandling samt annan psykosocial terapi. En intressant slutsats är att det finns hjälp att få vid AAS-missbruk, men tyvärr finns det inte resurser att hjälpa alla. Det finns fortfarande mycket kvar att lära inom ämnet och man behöver forska kring fler och bättre behandlingsmetoder som kan passa vid detta missbruk.

In daily life, information of losing weight or improving fitness can be seen everywhere. For example, being skinny is pretty and healthy. No matter in Western or Asian countries, we can observe that standardized ideal image has been established for years through models in advertising. Also, physical attractiveness pursuit becomes important in the global society because of advertising. Hence, more and more researchers interested in body image will take appearance and body shape into account. However, most of previous research focuses on the negative effect of self-consciousness induced by images of being thin. By distinguishing model¡¦s body size into slim and large size, this research examines the factors that may influence the effects of model¡¦s body size in advertising. The present study uses experimental design to investigate the advertising effects of model¡¦s body size (slim vs. large), model¡¦s race (Asia vs. Western), and product type (utilitarian vs. hedonic). Thus, a 2¡Ñ2¡Ñ2 factorial design is conducted. The ad effects are measured by product evaluation and attitude toward the model to observe the response under eight different and fictitious scenarios. The results indicate that, a model with slim-size is more effective that with large-size. Such influences are stronger when an Asian model is used. Howerever, no matter slim or large the model¡¦s size is, the effect of advertising on utilitarian product and hedonic product are identical when using a Western model. In addition, female participants generally give lower credit on advertising evaluation than male ones, reflecting obviously in their preference of model. According to these findings, this study suggests that marketers should consider not only the product they promote but also the congruency of race between ad model and target consumers, as well as attractive slim-size models, in order to enhance the advertising effects.

<p>Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women. The treatment of breast cancer may lead to forcing the woman to remove her breast. The breast is a symbol of femininity and sexuality for many women. The purpose of this literature-based study is to describe women's experiences of altered body image and sexuality after mastectomy. This may provide a better understanding of the nurse in responding to these breast cancer patients. The method used is a qualitative literature-based method, based on qualitative analysis of 13 articles. The results show that women undergoing mastectomy feel loss of part of the body, loss of sexuality and womanhood and that their bodies and sexuality are changing. Many women feel that their bodies have been mutilated and disfigured which leads to decreased sexual desire. The desire to feel normal again is great and to meet that many women undergoing breast reconstruction or prosthesis wear. Given that many women suffer as a result out of their changing body image and sexuality following a mastectomy, it is important that the nurse has knowledge of women’s experience of altered body and sexuality. The knowledge leads to better response from the nurse to patients' experiences of illness and suffering and to mitigate this as far as possible.</p> / <p>Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancersjukdomen som drabbar kvinnor. Behandlingen av bröstcancer kan leda till att kvinnan är tvungen att ta bort sitt bröst. Bröstet är en symbol för kvinnlighet och sexualitet för många kvinnor. Syftet var med denna litteraturbaserade studie är att beskriva kvinnors upplevelser av förändrad kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet efter mastektomi. Detta kan ge en ökad förståelse hos sjuksköterskan i bemötandet av dessa bröstcancerdrabbade patienter. Metoden som använts är en kvalitativ litteraturbaserad metod baserat på analys av 13 kvalitativa artiklar. Resultatet visar att kvinnor som genomgår mastektomi upplever förlust av kroppsdel, förlust av sexualitet och kvinnlighet och att deras kropp och sexualitet förändras. Många kvinnor upplever sina kroppar som stympade och vanställda vilket leder till minskad sexuell lust. Önskan om att få känna sig normal igen är stor och för att uppfylla detta genomgår många kvinnor bröstrekonstruktion eller bär protes. Eftersom att många kvinnor lider på grund av sin förändrade kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet efter en mastektomi är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan har kunskap om kvinnors upplevelse av förändrad kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet. Kunskapen leder till att sjuksköterskan kan bemöta patienters sjukdomsupplevelser och lidande på ett bättre sätt och så långt som möjligt lindra detta.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-235).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 297-310). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.