Watching TV can affect your body image

Back in the 1990s, we figured New York City must be just like it was on Friends. Which means it came as quite a shock when we moved here and nobody we knew had huge, adorably decorated apartments and cute neighbors. But even more surprising was a new study that found that Friends could have something to do with a negative self-image.

Related: How yoga helps improve body image.

Researchers at Ryerson University had 76 undergraduate women watch a 10-minute clip of Friends and then evaluated their satisfaction with their appearance. In the study, the researchers theorized, watching slim Rach, Monica, and Phoebe had a negative impact on the women's self-image. (Reading a pamphlet about the overrepresentation of thin characters on TV, however, did help the participants keep their self-confidence in check.) What do you think: could a TV show affect how you feel about yourself?

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