Today’s Social Media Trends and Their Influence on Body Image (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of a 3-part discussion on the various aspects social media has impact on body image.
Trends often come and go, but the influence social media has on one’s body image seems to have had its ongoing fame. Often touted are edited images, hyper realistic filters and flawless personas; all of which give us the illusion of a ‘perfect body’. With so much deception online, how impactful is the current social media landscape on users and their body image and relationship to themselves? Who does it affect and how can we work towards body appreciation rather than body dissatisfaction?
The multiple influence of social media
There is no doubt that social media has taken part in negatively influencing one’s body image and consequently self esteem, mental health, and perceived acceptance in society. Just by spending as little as 30 minutes on social media a day can lead to poor body dissatisfaction (1). It has also been shown that the longer one spends using social media, the higher the body dissatisfaction experienced (2) and the lower the individual’s self esteem and emotional wellbeing; no matter which popular social media platform is used (3). Additionally, it is very difficult to not make self-comparisons to those who have desirable body traits, especially those who we see as superior, outstanding or socially accepted (ie. celebrities, influencers, peers (3). It does not just end there where the sea of feeling unworthy or inadequate can eventually trigger disordered eating behaviours or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, nervosa or binge eating disorder.
In a study conducted by the New York Times Learning network (4), various individuals were asked about how they see social media impacting their self perception and body image. Various comments were raised that show the invasive effect of social media:
“… I feel like I have to look a certain way to accepted”
“---I can’t help but ask myself if just a little overexercising or little starvation could pay off…”
“ …I see all these perfect bodies and wish I looked like that….”
“ ---All I know is that being thin became an obsession and my relationship with food and exercise hasn’t been the same since…..”
“Social media is a rather dangerous entity because it allows me to see the worst parts of myself….”
Some participants go on to share that they feel so compelled to stick to beauty standards perpetuated by social media, that they are willing to compromise their own health. Sadly, that is the power of a single social media post.
What do the culprits of poor body image promotion on social media look like today?
In today’s day and age, there has been no shortage of discouraging body image content and content which showcase its effects. As an example, a recent Tik Tok video from Jubilee (5), a digital media organization aimed to provoke human understanding and connection, became viral when 100 women were gathered together to be rated by an online community. The online community was asked to rank the women with the most sought-after or perceived ideal body type. Based on this, the 100 women were each given a ranking from 1-100 with 1 being the highest score. These scores were unknown to each woman and they were asked to try to find the woman who has ranked by the online community as number one, or ‘the one’. As the women interacted with one another, many discussions around body image and associated feelings surfaced, including body dissatisfaction, body neutrality and body acceptance comments:
“…I have had a lot of comments saying that people would buy my body..I felt very confident”
“… When I was younger, I had no curves and was super skinny. People called me anorexic or bulimic and that’s like not good in the black community, right? You want to be like thick...”
“… I have had a very tumultuous relationship with my body…I don’t really know what I look like to other people and the idea of talking about that was like a little anxiety inducing...’
“…I think I look great and am so thankful for what my body can do which has really helped me practice body positivity…I can walk..bike..hike..so grateful for it but I know society doesn’t view me that way…”
Now, we invite you to take a moment and reflect on your own relationship with your body. Be kind and gentle throughout, if this feels triggering then please skip these questions.
What did you learned was acceptable vs unacceptable about bodies growing up? What messages did you receive about your own body growing up?
What are current messages you receive about your body? What are your current beliefs about your body? How do these beliefs about your body inform or influence the way you care for and treat your body?
Stay tuned to Part 2 of this discussion, where we examine more current popular social media content that influences body image.
Blog written by Sharon Sun, RD
Reviewed and edited by Abby Hsiao, RD
Disclaimer: the information provided is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose or treat a medical disease. It is strictly for informational purposes. Consult with your medical provider such as a dietitian before implementing any dietary changes, the information provided does not replace medical advice provided by your healthcare provider.
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Work Cited:
"National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) (n.d.)." National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), edited by Douglas Bunnell, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
Alfonso-Fuertes, I., Alvarez-Mon, M. A., Del Hoyo, R. S., Ortega, M. A., Alvarez-Mon, M., & Molina-Ruiz, R. M. (2023). Time Spent on Instagram and Body Image, Self-esteem, and Physical Comparison Among Young Adults in Spain: Observational Study. JMIR Formative Research, 7(1), e42207.
(8) Boers, E., Afzali, M. H., Newton, N., & Conrod, P. (2019). Association of screen time and depression in adolescence. JAMA pediatrics, 173(9), 853-859.
(3) What Students Are Saying About How Social Media Affects Their Body Image (2022, March). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-how-social-media-affects-their-body-image.html
Jubilee (2024). How Does Body Image Affect These 100 Women [Online video].https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKadS1nDcR0
Montgomery Sklar, E. (2017). Body image, weight, and self-concept in men. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(3), 252-258.
Dove US (2023). Cost of Beauty: A Dove Film | Dove Self-Esteem Project. [Online video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ngESNoacxM
Dove US (2021). Dove | Reverse Selfie |Have #TheSelfietalk [Online video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ngESNoacxM
Hupp, S., & Jewell, J. D. (Eds.). (2020). The encyclopedia of child and adolescent development. Wiley-Blackwell.
Pedalino, F., & Camerini, A. L. (2022). Instagram use and body dissatisfaction: the mediating role of upward social comparison with peers and influencers among young females. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(3), 1543.
Thomas, E. V., & Warren-Findlow, J. (2020). Body image, self-esteem, and behavioral risk for chronic disease among college students: Additional evidence for integrated prevention. Journal of American College Health, 68(6), 658-665.
