Arizona Immigration

This research examined the media and how it affects fitness and body image.

This was assessed by collecting data from surveys taken by three groups of ten

high school students, five of each sex. Two of the three groups were exposed to

different media packages, one depicted images of unnaturally thin individuals,

the other depicted athletic figures, while the third group was exposed to no

prior data. The results indicate the students attitudes towards social fitness

views and self-acceptance. It was my hypothesis that a correlation between

media and the fitness concept will be found but the idea of a personal body

image will remain fixed as body image is a determined part of one's psyche. A

significant correlation was discovered between those who viewed the thin package

and their attitudes on social fitness. However a low score in the self-

acceptance scale in all three groups suggests a low self-concept within all

participants. This supports my statement that there would be a connection

between the fitness concept and the media packages as well as a constant self-

concept maintained by all participants.

In assessing personal attitudes it is often important to measure not only what

an individual feels towards others but also his/herself. Prior research

indicates this is especially important when measuring attitudes towards physical

issues. It has been found that opposing views may be held simultaneously by

individuals in regards to themselves and others. Also concern for how a

response will reflect upon his/herself may negate an individual expressing his

or her true attitudes. This research sought to assess the attitudes of high

school students towards fitness and body image in the presence of different

physical