The aim of this bachelor thesis has been to investigate what affected the body ideals of teenage girls attending the Swedish upper secondary school and thus, the questions for the investigation were: Who/what “gives” teenage girls their body ideals today and what is considered as an influence of these young teenage girls today with regard to their perception of their own body? The theoretical perspective on the thesis were symbolic interactionism, Gidden's theory on "late"-modernity as well as Ziehe's theory on reflexivity. A quantitative survey were conducted where questionnaires were the starting point. For convenience and simplicity , the author chose to perform the survey on a number of high schools in her vicinity. The headmasters in these schools were contacted and she got the contact infomation for the concerned teachers or the school social pedagogue. After gathering the material, the material compiled and analyzed in SPSS. The participants were 58 teenage girls between 16-18 years old. What gives teenage girls their body ideals today were first and foremost the Internet but this were often combined with body ideals that comes from friends and media. Regarding to what influence how teenage girls look at their body, teenage girls mainly listen to comments of their partner, family and friends. About a quarter of the teenage girls claimed that sporting activities influenced their opinion of her body shape, as well as media and the Internet. Regarding to the experience of being influenced by comments or in comparison to pictures of other women, it were mainly the media and friends that seemed to influence. / Syftet med denna kandidatuppsats har varit att undersöka tonårsflickor upplevelse av vad som påverkade deras kroppsideal och frågeställningarna har således varit: Vilka faktorer är det som ”ger” tonårsflickor sina kroppsideal idag samt vad är det som upplevs påverka tonårsflickor idag, när det gäller hur de ser på sin kropp? Kandidatuppsatsens teroretiska perspektiv var symbolisk interaktionism, Giddens teori om senmodernitet samt Ziehes teori om reflexivitet. En kvantitativ undersökning gjordes där enkäter var utgångspunkten. Av bekvämlighet och för enkelhetens skull valde författaren att genomföra enkäten på ett antal gymnasieskolor i dennes närmiljö. Rektorerna i dessa skolor kontaktades och hon fick av dem kontaktuppgifter till berörda lärare alternativt till skolans socialpedagog. Efter insamling av material sammanställdes och analyserades detta i SPSS. Deltagarna var 58 tonårsflickor i åldern 16-18 år. Vid analys ledde dessa till slutsatsen för just denna grupp med tonårsflickor, att det som gett dessa deras kroppsideal idag var främst Internet men detta ofta kombinerat med kroppsideal som kommer från vänner och media. Tonårsflickorna i denna undersökning var mer benägna att ta till sig partners, familjens och vännernas kommentarer. Ungefär en fjärdedel av tonårsflickorna i studien uppgav att sportaktivitet kunde ha inverkan på tanken om hennes kroppsform, detta berörde även media och Internet. När det gällde upplevelsen av hur de påverkas av kommentarer eller jämförelse av bilder var det framförallt media och vänner som tonårsflickorna upplevde påverka. Nyckelord: Tonårsflickor, upplevelse av påverkan, kroppsideal, media, utseende, kvantitativ

Övergripande syftet i föreliggande studie var att studera manliga Crossfit-utövares tankar, känslor och upplevelser kring sin egen kroppsuppfattning och kroppsideal i relation till träningsformen Crossfit. I studien medverkade 10 deltagare i åldrarna 24–47 år (M=33,1 SD=7,71). Föreliggande studie använde sig av en semistrukturerad intervjuguide som basera sig kring ett teoretiskt ramverk av Lox et al. (2014) gällande kroppsuppfattning. Resultaten fördelades in i fyra teman som utvecklades: Sociokulturella faktorer, fysiska egenskaper, fysiska förändringar och psykologiska faktorer. Resultaten visar att manliga Crossfit-utövare innehar en positiv kroppsuppfattning trots att det finns specifika kroppsideal inom Crossfit-kulturen. Vidare visar resultaten att Crossfit-utövarna i föreliggande studie är generellt nöjda med sitt utseende på den egna kroppen och dess fysiska prestation. Detta trots att fysiskt utseende var en väldigt viktig faktor för deltagarna. Däremot var prestation och funktionalitet viktigare i en Crossfit kontext. Resultaten visar att Crossfit-utövarna i föreliggande studie var generellt nöjda med den egna kroppens utseende samt dess prestationsförmåga, trots att detta ibland kunde förändras under korta perioder ifall en skada inträffade eller ett träningspass inte gick som förväntat. / The overall purpose of the current study was to study male Crossfit participants thoughts feeling and experiences regarding their body image and body ideals in relation to Crossfit. A total of 10 participants aged between 24-47 years (M=33,1 SD= 7,71) participated in the study. The present study used a semi-structured interview guide based on the theoretical framework regarding body image by Lox et al (2014). The result was divided into four themes that were developed: Sociocultural factors, physical characteristics, physical changes, and psychological factors. The results showed that male Crossfit participants have a positive body image even though there are certain body ideals within the Crossfit community. Furthermore, the Crossfit participants in the study had a general appreciation towards their body and their physical performance. However even though every participant proved to have a great value in physical appearance, performance and functionality seems to be the utmost wanted feature in the context of Crossfit. The results indicate that male Crossfit participants overall have a positive body image and are generally amused with their performance and body image, even if at times this can change due to injuries or not performing well during a specific workout.

This study aims to examine how front cover models are visually depicted in the Friskispressen’ magazine, after the fact that members have pointed a normative non-diversity stereotype permeates the magazine’s images. From a diversity and gender perspective, the representations linked to women and men are studied. Reflections on gender-stereotyped myths and body ideals are also included in this study’s examination. Five cover images of the magazine are analysed, using with a qualitative semiotic method. The results show that stereotypical depictions are both maintained and challenged through various poses, objects, colours and their gaze. Previous research and theories confirm as well as challenge the issue or the influence of the media’s impact on how we interpret diversity and ideals. Furthermore, analysed material demonstrates that Friskispressen’ fails to depart from the received norm criticism about poor representation of diversity. Friskis&Svettis’ core value to include everybody has an impact in their magazine. However, the findings show that the magazine’s representations are still, problematic.

This design project explores the complexity of kroppshets on a sociocultural and individual level. The design research has studied patriarchal and capitalist structures and looked into industries that feed and benefit from women’s body dissatisfaction. It also looks closer at media and its part in maintaining and transmitting the unattainable body ideal created by these structures. Through autoethnographic methods and practise based research this project aims to visualise kroppshets and how it affects women in their everyday life. The project collaborates with a dozen of women that have, through interactive interviews, given a deeper insight of the subjective experience of kroppshets to add to a collective definition. The design research and its finding have resulted in a short film that give a glimpse into what situations kroppshets raise in everyday life and acknowledge women’s struggle to fit within patriarchal beauty standards. Through visualisation the issue is made accessible for a wider audience, raising awareness and making it a catalyst for change that hopefully can result in a more wholesome and sustainable life quality for women.

Weight stigma has negative psychological and physical consequences including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and lower quality of life. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationships between weight stigma, ethnic identity, and acculturation in Latinas. The intersectional theory provided the framework for this study. A sample of 154 Latinas over the age of 18 living in the United States or 1 of its territories was gathered through social media, a fat acceptance organization, and a research participant pool. The online survey consisted of 3 psychometric tools-Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised, and the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale. Descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses were conducted. Results from this study indicated that ethnic identity was not significantly related to weight stigma and that acculturation to either the U.S. or culture of origin did not significantly interact with ethnic identity to predict weight stigma. This study was focused on a vulnerable population experiencing weight stigma, and provides the professional community with culturally relevant data on weight stigma in Latinas, information on weight stigma reduction interventions, and contributions to policy and paradigm changes about body diversity.

<p>The purpose of the study was to inquire into pupils’ attitude towards the current beauty ideal from a gender- and an ethnicity perspective. The study was based on a quantitative survey among 116 young students about prevailing beauty ideal from two different schools in the Stockholm area. The result showed that the students are partially characterized by the stereotyped images of women and men but that there are tendencies towards another view especially among the girls. It is however clear that appearance still is important. A majority of the boys agreed in the statements that it is important to have a good-looking girlfriend and that girls should be thin. Both sexes believed that a person who is beautiful gets better treatment. Both also agreed in the statement that boys should be well trained. Most of the students are however satisfied with their own appearance and body and would not want to change. The study has shown that there are differences in attitudes when it comes to both gender and ethnicity. The emerged results were introduced in three different themes and were analyzed on the basis of gender-theory and metacognition and were compared with prior research, which showed that there were both similarities and differences.</p>

The purpose of the study was to inquire into pupils’ attitude towards the current beauty ideal from a gender- and an ethnicity perspective. The study was based on a quantitative survey among 116 young students about prevailing beauty ideal from two different schools in the Stockholm area. The result showed that the students are partially characterized by the stereotyped images of women and men but that there are tendencies towards another view especially among the girls. It is however clear that appearance still is important. A majority of the boys agreed in the statements that it is important to have a good-looking girlfriend and that girls should be thin. Both sexes believed that a person who is beautiful gets better treatment. Both also agreed in the statement that boys should be well trained. Most of the students are however satisfied with their own appearance and body and would not want to change. The study has shown that there are differences in attitudes when it comes to both gender and ethnicity. The emerged results were introduced in three different themes and were analyzed on the basis of gender-theory and metacognition and were compared with prior research, which showed that there were both similarities and differences.

Abstrakt Introduktion: Graviditet är en tid som medför att kvinnornas kroppar omformas. Med ett klart formulerat kvinnoideal medför detta att de gravida kvinnorna evaluerar sin självbild till följd av att förändringen sker i motsats till samhällets utseende trend. Kvinnorna känner sig ful och oattraktiv, likväl får barnets hicka och sparkar i livmodern kvinnorna att känna fascination samt stolthet. Syfte: Syftet med examensarbetet är att belysa hur kvinnor beskriver sin självbild i samband med en graviditet. Metod: Sex kvinnor som var gravid i vecka 28-35 intervjuades med semi-strukturerade öppna frågor. Data har analyserats med inspiration från grundad teori. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i en huvudkategori, fyra kategorier och sexton underkategorier. De gravida kvinnorna har till följd av samhällets ideal en generellt dålig självbild. I takt med kvinnornas fysiska omformning upplevdes självbilden väldigt negativ, kvinnorna försökte aktivt sträva efter en positiv upplevelse genom att använda små hjälpmedel. Magen väcker oönskad uppmärksamhet, grad av uppmärksamhet styrs utifrån magen storlek. Kvinnorna uttryckte ett stort behov av stöd från partner, familj och vänner för att kunna acceptera samt hantera graviditetens påfrestningar. Barnmorskorna erbjöd god medicinsk kunskap men saknade den empatiska förmågan vilken medförde att kvinnorna upplevde sig nonchalerad. Slutsats: De gravida kvinnorna har till följd av samhällets ideal en generellt dålig självbild, utifrån de gravida kvinnornas relation till den egna kroppen, men tack vare små hjälpmedel kunde självbilden accepteras. Stöd från partner och familj var det viktigaste komponenterna som medverkade till en god anpassning till graviditeten. / Abstract Background: A pregnancy forces the female body to change. Today we can identify clearly defined feminine ideal, during the time of pregnancy the body change in the direct opposite direction to societal trends which causes the pregnant women to question their self-image. The pregnancy causes the women to feel ugly and unattractive. However, feeling the baby´s hiccups or kicks make women fascinated and full of pride. Objective: The aim of the present study was to illustrate how women describe their self-image during pregnancy Methods: Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted with a total of six women who were pregnant in week 28-35. Data were analyzed inspired of grounded theory. Results: The analysis presented one main code, four categories and sixteen subcategories. Pregnant women have in general a poor self-image as a result of the society's ideal about the female body. Despite the negative feelings towards the body the women actively tried to strive for a positive experience with help of small appliances. The women expressed a greater need for support from their partners, families and friends to accept and cope with the stressful mental strain that the pregnancy creates. The midwives had a good medical knowledge but lacked empathy, which caused the women to feel neglected. Conclusion: The pregnant women had in generally a poorer self-image as a result of the body ideal in society. Acceptance of the pregnant self-image could be accomplished with a good relation to their own body. Also support from partners and families were the main components for a good ability to adapt oneself to pregnancy.

En undersökning om hur bilder på sociala medier påverkar unga kvinnors självbild är en kandidatuppsats vars syfte är att undersöka hur unga kvinnor blir påverkade av bilder de ser på sociala medier, samt att undersöka hur denna påverkan ser ut. Syftet med undersökningen är även att se om kvinnornas ålder har någon inverkan på hur man uppfattar dessa bilder. Denna undersökning utgår från ett kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt där intervjuer via mejl samt två kompletterande semistrukturerade intervjuer är grunden för empirin. Empirin har analyserats utifrån tidigare relevant forskning om sociala mediers effekt på unga kvinnor samt hur samhället ser på en hälsosam kropp. Undersökningen utgår från relevant teori angående hur media upprätthåller "tunnhetsidealet" i samhället, samt hur en kropp bör se ut för att vara attraktiv. För att så tydligt som möjligt redovisa resultaten har respondenternas svar delats upp i tre olika teman. I undersökningens analysavsnitt diskuteras  och besvaras frågeställningarna som hela undersökningen bygger på. Undersökningen avslutas med en slutdiskussion där resultaten, problematiken och frågeställningarna diskuteras. I slutdiskussionen lägger jag även fram förslag för tidigare forskning inom samma ämne. / A study about how pictures on social media affects young women´s self-image is a candidate thesis aimed to investigate how young women are affected by images they see in social media.The purpose is to investigate if women´s age has a influence in how one perceives these images. The study arises from a qualitative approach where interviews via e-mail and two independent interviews are the basis of empirical data. Empirical data has been analyzed on the basis of previous relevant research absout social medias effect on young women and how society looks on a healthy body. The study is based on relevant theory on how media maintain thinness ideal in society and how the body should look to be attractive. I have then divided the respondents answers into three different themes to clarify the results for the reader. In the analysis section is the question at issue discussed and answered.The study concludes with en final discussion where the results, problems and issues are discussed. The final discussion of this thesis finishes with proposals for future research in the same field.

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