Internalization of body shape ideals and body dissatisfaction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Objective The present meta‐analysis summarizes existing evidence on the relationship between the internalization of body shape ideals (IBSI) and body dissatisfaction. Method Pooled effect sizes (r) were computed using a random‐effects model. The robustness of the results was examined using influence analyses. Potential predictors of effect heterogeneity were examined using subgroup analysis and univariable/multivariable meta‐regressions. Publication bias was examined using the three‐parameter selection model (3PSM). Results A total of 141 effect‐sizes from 78 studies (N = 39,491) were retrieved. Results revealed medium (r = .25; muscular/athletic‐ideal internalization) to very large (r = .43, general attractiveness‐ideal internalization; and r = .45, thin‐ideal internalization) relationships, all these being largely similar in male and female individuals. Discussion IBSI and body dissatisfaction were strongly linked: (a) in younger individuals (general attractiveness‐ideal internalization); (b) when IBSI was operationalized in terms of endorsement rather than mere awareness of appearance ideals; (c) in studies of lower methodological quality (muscular/athletic‐ideal internalization); and (d) when IBSI was assessed using instruments involving social comparisons. Given the largely cross‐sectional nature of data included in this meta‐analysis, further testing in prospective and experimental studies is needed to confirm hypotheses about causality of observed associations. Such findings would have impact for prevention and intervention studies. Resumen Objetivo El presente metanálisis resume la evidencia existente sobre la relación entre la internalización de los ideales de la figura corporal (IBSI) y la insatisfacción corporal. Método Los tamaños de los efectos agrupados (r) se calcularon utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios. La robustez de los resultados se examinó mediante análisis de influencia. Los predictores potenciales de heterogeneidad del efecto se examinaron mediante análisis de subgrupos y metarregresión univariable/multivariable. El sesgo de publicación se examinó mediante la inspección visual de la simetría de la gráfica de embudo y la prueba de Egger. Resultados Se recuperó un total de 141 tamaños de efectos de 78 estudios (N = 39 491). Los resultados revelaron relaciones medias (r = .25; internalización muscular/atlética‐ideal) a relaciones muy grandes (r = .43, internalización ideal de atractivo general; y r = .45, internalización delgada