The Effects of Social and Environmental Condition on the Way People Perceive their Body Image and Appearance: Through the Lens of Gender Difference and Mass Media Influence

This research investigates factors explaining the way people perceive their body and appearance and uncovers the intricate interplay of lookism and its underlying factors. Using data from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, 917 people whose age 29 or lower were used. For analysis, an independent sample t-test, and two multiple regression analyses were conducted. The results revealed that there is a gender disparity in the way people place their importance on appearance or body image and women are more likely to be discriminated by their appearance than men. Also, in one regression analysis that predicted people’s self-perceived appearance, people’s BMI, general health condition, stress or negative emotion they experience are shown to affect how people evaluate their appearance. In the second regression analysis that predicted how people evaluate their body image, the results showed that BMI and general health condition affect the way people evaluate their body image. In both of these regression analyses, mass media’s derisive portrayal of men or explain affect how people perceive appearance and body image. Therefore, policymakers and alike must use the finding to devise plans and policies that would foster a healthy self-image.