Abstract:
This study examined university students’ perception of their body appearance in
relation to media portrayal of ‘ideal body image’. Students spend time on social and
mainstream media where they observe, like and share the images portrayed as ideal
by the media. The unrealistic body images portrayed as ‘ideal’, lead to actions which
results in depression, low self-esteem and eating disorder. The study was conducted
in four universities, namely; University of Eldoret, Kirinyaga University, Egerton
University and St. Paul’s University, Kenya. A total of 528 study respondents, was
randomly selected to participate in the study. Self-administered questionnaire were
used to collect data concerning media influence, body image perception and its
influence on the individual body dis/satisfaction and self-esteem. Data was coded
and analyzed by Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS Version 21). 68.4% of
respondents were depressed when they did not perceive themselves fashionable
according to media perceptions of ideal body image but there was a significant
difference in relation to students’ perception towards their body weight, at p<0.05
level of significance. Majority of the students sampled were not comfortable with
their body appearance and were psychologically affected by people’s judgment of
their body appearance. Media and peer pressure were major influencing factors in
students’ choice of clothing. It was evident that majority of the students had
considered buying body weight loss products to achieve “ideal body image.” All the
sampled students agreed that trying to achieve the ideal body image is unattainable
and it affects their self-esteem and academic performance. There is need for the
media to use women of different body sizes during fashion events and
advertisements to demystify the “ideal body image” concept to promote positive
thinking and create a sense of pride.
