Reality Bites: An Investigation of the Genre of Reality Television and Its Relationship to Viewers’ Body Image

Abstract

Utilizing a unique methodological approach, this study investigated subtypes of reality television (RTV) to study the influence of exposure to RTV on body image (body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness) as compared a more traditional weekly report of RTV viewing. Young adults (N = 472) completed online surveys measuring their exposure to RTV and perceptions of their own body image. Four types of RTV were uncovered. Regression analyses using these 4 factors demonstrated that exposure to competition-based RTV shows (e.g., Dancing with the Stars) predicted increased body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. On the other hand, the weekly self-report of RTV viewing did not reveal any relationships between weekly exposure to RTV and body image. These findings underline the need for cultivation-based media studies that include program-based measures of genre-specific media exposure, especially when seeking to capture media effects related to RTV.

Notes

¹Approximately 4.4% of the sample would be considered “underweight” by WHO standards.

²The item “I feel that I have a number of good qualities” was omitted due to an error in the data collection procedure.

³Means and standard deviations for the top 50 RTV shows are available upon request.

⁴ Flavor of Love was an RTV dating game show where female contestants competed for the attentions of Flavor Flav, a well-known rap artist. I Love New York and Charm School were spin-offs of Flavor of Love.

Note. BMI = body mass index.

**p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note. N = 328. Standard deviations appear in parentheses below means. AA = African.

American, CA = Caucasian.

*p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nichole Egbert

Nichole Egbert (Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2000) is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Kent State University. Her research interests are predominantly in the area of health communication.

James D. Belcher

James D. Belcher (Ph.D., Kent State University, 2010) is Instructor of Communication at Stark State College. His research interests include mass media effects and music-related communication effects.