partners . Therefore I predicted that compared to emerging adults whose favorite character is average weight , those who have an underweight favorite character will place more importance on their partner ’ s appearance .
What are Potential Consequences of Excessive Appearance Importance ?
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders ( 2015 ), in the United States , 80 % of women are dissatisfied with their appearance and nearly eight million have eating disorders . According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ( 2013 ), there were nearly 15 million cosmetic procedures done in the previous year . The extent to which this can be linked to body dissatisfaction as related to media is an interesting question . The negative effects of heightened appearance importance related to media have been empirically tested mostly with adolescents . Outcomes include decreased self-confidence and assertiveness , extreme attitudes about dieting and exercise , thin ideal endorsements , and drive for thinness ( Spurgas , 2005 ). Increased appearance importance can also lead to unhealthy and unsafe activities since people who have high levels of body dissatisfaction are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors and to approve of and get cosmetic surgeries ( Tiggemann & Lynch , 2001 ). Emerging adults are at risk for negative behaviors as part of
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