Study reveals: GNTM endangers the health of young women!

Study reveals: GNTM endangers the health of young women!

The model casting show “Germany’s Next Top Model” (GNTM) has been the focus of criticism for years, particularly for promoting a one-sided and unrealistic ideal of beauty. A recent study by the University of Osnabrück examined the consequences of the show for women with and without eating disorders. The results were published in the journal European Eating Disorders Review. GNTM recently started its 20th season and will be broadcast twice a week this year. The proven concept of evaluating young candidates based on the ideal of a slim or muscular body remains unchanged uni-osnabrueck.de reported.

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Silja Vock's study looked at how watching GNTM affects the participants' mood, self-esteem and body image. The women often reported greater dissatisfaction with their bodies after watching the show. This tendency was particularly pronounced among participants with existing eating disorders. These women experienced a heightened awareness of the discrepancy between their bodies and the idealized image conveyed by the show. The study shows that the negative impact of modeling casting shows on women's mental health cannot be underestimated, especially given the increased use of social media.

Negative effects and need for education

The German Society for Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Psychotherapy (DGPM) warns that teenagers' body perception is significantly impaired by consuming casting shows such as GNTM. A new study shows that many girls who regularly watch GNTM perceive themselves to be too fat, which can increase the risk of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. According to the DGPM, over 50 percent of girls feel dissatisfied with their bodies, even though around 80 percent are of normal weight doccheck.com reported.

In Germany, the risk of developing anorexia or bulimia is 0.8 percent of female teenagers between the ages of 14 and 20, or 3 percent who suffer from bulimia. Anorexia nervosa, which can lead to serious health complications, is often accompanied by distorted body image. What is particularly alarming is that without professional therapy, the disease can quickly become chronic, which puts a great strain on mental and physical health.

The role of social media

In a world increasingly dominated by social media, critical media literacy is essential. A report by the Southwest Media Education Research Association shows that 95 percent of young people in Germany use the Internet every day. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok in particular promote constant concern with one's own body aesthetics and increase the tendency to compare oneself with unrealistic ideals of beauty. The results of the 2022 JIM study show that 94 percent of 12 to 13 year olds already own a smartphone and social media has a decisive influence on personal and social identity bpb.de describes.

The mechanisms of these platforms ensure constant availability of new content, recognition-based interactions and create a climate of “performance” in which young people constantly act in comparison. These dynamics contribute to the development and reinforcement of body dissatisfaction and associated eating disorders. It is therefore necessary that parents, schools and platform operators take an active role in promoting critical media literacy.