Body Image and Young Chinese Women in Contemporary Media: A Systematic Literature Review

Body image perceptions among young Chinese women have been influenced by the boom in social media and the diversification of aesthetic standards. This paper reviews existing literature over the past four years, analysing the role of media in shaping representation, particularly focusing on the interplay between traditional Chinese cultural ideals and global aesthetic influences. Based on 200 research papers in three databases for this study, this research study reveals that Western media impact in China is limited in terms of affecting Chinese body image judgements, compared to previous expectations. Instead, the persistent ideal of traditional Chinese ideal of being "fair, young, and thin" continues to dominate preferences. These traditional values and larger global standards are competing sources of body standards, making it very challenging for young women to navigate these expectations. Moreover, social media is also quite influential. It leans towards thin ideals, which strengthens body anxieties. While the Xiaohongshu platform presents some unconventional Chinese body images, but only for a specific audience. With a synthesis of previous findings, this paper highlights the complex dynamics between cultural values, global forces, and media representations, to bring into sharp focus the media’s part in the puzzle to Chinese young female’s body dissatisfaction.