The relationship between social media and body image is complex and ever-changing. For this reason, body image as it relates to social media use has become a hot topic among researchers. Recent studies have revealed that social media has a negative effect on one’s perception of their body image.

By: Sadie Grant

In the age of social media, many of us find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. In using social media we often pass through hundreds of images of other people’s bodies — many of which are enhanced by lighting, angles, and photoshop. Most of us are generally aware that photographs of celebrities and images from advertisements tend to present an unrealistic standard of beauty, but what about pictures of our friends, or seemingly inspiring athletes?

Today, we are going to talk about the relationship between social media and body image. Body image is the way in which we think, feel, and experience our bodies, and is often implicated in the development of an eating disorder. We will review important facts about body image, delve into current research about the relationship between social media, self-perception, and eating disorders, and discuss possible ways to curate your social media feed to promote body positivity and neutrality.

Why should we be concerned about the relationship between social media and body image?

In the past fifteen years, social media use has risen exponentially. In the U.S., 5% of adults used social media in 2005, compared to 79% in 2019. To top it off, adults spend an average of more than six hours each day using digital media, mostly on smartphones (Ortiz-Ospina, 2019).

Additionally, according to the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), issues related to body image have increased worldwide in the last 30 years among people of all ages. When we are dissatisfied with our bodies, we are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors around food and exercise. Furthermore, feelings that arise from body dissatisfaction, such as shame and anxiety, can increase the chance of developing an eating disorder.

The rise in both social media use and issues related to body image is not entirely coincidental. Unsurprisingly, numerous studies have found correlations between social media use, body image issues, and eating disorders.

What does research say about social media, body image, and disordered eating?

Many studies have identified a link between social media use and disordered eating and body image issues. For example, in a study at an eating disorder treatment center in Chicago, 30-50% of teenaged patients reported that social media supports their eating disorders (Tackett, 2019). Furthermore, various studies have found a link between time spent on social media websites and the risk of developing negative body image.

Interestingly, research also suggests that who we see on social media can determine how we judge ourselves. For example, a 2014 study on the relationship between Facebook use and body image concerns found that women were likely to have a negative perception of their own appearance when viewing photographs of peers and celebrities, but not family members (Fardouly, & Vartanian, 2014).

When does social media use tend to contribute to negative body image?

Research suggests that engaging with social media accounts that feature and celebrate thin or “fit” bodies can make us more likely judge our own bodies negatively. For example, a 2017 study conducted in England found that female undergraduates who viewed photographs with the hashtag #fitspo (fitness inspiration) — in other words, photographs of thin, athletic people exercising — scored lower on measures of self-compassion.

Hashtags such as #thinspo and #thingspogram have also been used by pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia communities as a means to encourage people to strive to be thin by engaging in disordered eating behaviors and over-exercise. While most thinspiration websites have been taken down, social media is more difficult to monitor and can continue to be an outlet for communities that support and reinforce weight loss and unhealthy behaviors.

Furthermore, posting selfies on social media can lead to negative body image. For example, a study conducted by Mills et al. found that women felt less attractive and less confident after posting photographs of themselves on social media, and that many participants described feeling anxious for reassurance (2018).

Some research suggests that viewing #bodypositive photographs — photos that celebrate bodies of different shapes, sizes, complexions, flaws, etc. — can contribute to body satisfaction. However, body-positive images still focus on bodies. For some, focusing on body positivity can continue to promote self-objectification and preoccupation with appearance.

When can social media contribute to positive body image or body neutrality?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to curating your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter feed. For some, following body positivity accounts can promote positive body image and help improve self-esteem. For others, replacing content that focuses on bodies with beautiful landscapes, inspiring art, or cute animals can be most supportive.

There are also many social media accounts that work to promote healthy body image and balanced behaviors around food and movement. For example, our BALANCE and Redefining Wellness Instagram accounts work to promote freedom from diet culture and healthy body image through inspiring quotes and images. You can also find other body positive, anti-diet, and eating disorder recovery support accounts through hashtags such as:

#foodfreedom
#edrecovery
#bodyacceptance
#bodypositivity
#haes
#nondiet
#antidietculture
#prorecovery
#allfoodsfit

If you or a loved one are struggling with body image concerns, we are here to help! At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues.

Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below or read more about our philosophy here.

This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Sadie Grant.

Sadie is a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a B.A. in psychology. After recovering from disordered eating, Sadie became passionate about eating disorder awareness, body neutrality, and destabilizing beauty standards that are established by social and cultural norms. While earning her Bachelor’s degree, Sadie conducted quantitative research, worked with populations experiencing barriers to essential services, and studied Spanish. Sadie hopes to use her developing research and interpersonal skills to work in the field of eating disorders and address the way in which expectations around eating and beauty vary across different populations.

References

Body Image. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://www.nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/body-image/

Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. (2014, November 17). Negative comparisons about one's appearance mediate the relationship between Facebook usage and body image concerns. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144514001375

Mills, J., Musto, S., Williams, L., & Tiggemann, M. (2018, August 24). "Selfie" harm: Effects on mood and body image in young women. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144517305326?via=ihub

Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2019). The rise of social media. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://ourworldindata.org/rise-of-social-media

Tackett, B. (2019, November 05). Social Media and Body Image: Mental Health Information. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://www.projectknow.com/eating-disorders/and-social-media/

Social Media & Body Image