The effect of physical appearance perfectionism and social comparison to thin-, slim-thick-, and fit-ideal Instagram imagery on young women's body image

Young people on social media in a globalized world: self-optimization in highly competitive and achievement-oriented forms of life

Research investigating young people's social media use has been criticized for its limited theoretical foundations and scope. This paper elaborates young people's social media activity from a socio-ecological evolutionary perspective (SEE), where young people's online exchanges cannot be divorced from the highly competitive and achievement-oriented modern market cultures in which they live. In highly competitive and achievement-oriented forms of life, young people's social media environments are often constituted as dynamic and evolving extrinsically oriented ecological niches that afford for status and identity enhancement while also affording for peer approval, belongingness, and self-worth nested within, and subordinate to, these higher-order affordances. The extrinsic value organization of social media platforms that serve young people's status and identity-enhancement are embodied by a community of mutually interdependent criteria that are evolutionary-based, developmentally salient, and market-driven: physical attractiveness, high (educational and extracurricular) achievements, and material success. Young people's online signaling of these interdependent extrinsic criteria affords for status-allocation and self-enhancement, where each criteria becomes an arena for social competition and identity formation, enabling young people to build personal and optimal models of social success congruent with their own interests and abilities. Young people's status and identity enhancing signaling of these extrinsic criteria is moving toward increasingly idealized or perfect embodiments, informed by accelerating, short-term positive feedback processes that benefit from the technological affordances and densely rewarding peer environments instantiated on social media.

A Qualitative Model of Weight Cycling

Weight cycling is a likely consequence of striving to lose weight after internalizing body image ideals, making upward social comparisons, and experiencing weight stigma. Despite weight cycling's potential physical and psychological consequences, the interplay of weight cycling, social pressures, and experienced and internalized stigma have not been qualitatively explored. Thus, through in-depth interviews of 36 weight-cycling adults, this study sought to understand how people negotiate weight cycling. Interviews informed the development of a qualitative model of weight cycling, which was derived from a theory-neutral inductive analysis. The model's stages included entering the cycle, undergoing the cycle, and challenging the cycle. Participants were triggered to enter the cycle due to weight stigma caused by social pressures. Within the cycle, interviewees internalized weight stigma and engaged in disordered weight management behaviors. Some participants challenged the cycle by becoming more self-aware and mitigating their toxic dieting behaviors. However, it was very difficult, if not impossible, for many to fully exit weight cycling and the restraints of previous weight management thinking and patterns. Our investigation underscores the seriousness of weight cycling and suggests ways to combat weight cycling on both macro and individual levels. It may also be useful to consider weight cycling as disordered eating in hopes of shifting society's dangerous focus on rapid weight loss.

The impact of social media influencers on health outcomes: Systematic review

A fast emerging area of public health interest is the potential role of social media influencers in spreading health information and affecting health behaviour. The aim of this research was to systematically synthesise evidence on the impact of social media influencers on health outcomes. A systematic search of six databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Science Citation Index and Sociology Collection) was conducted in October 2021, with an update search in January 2023. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. We included interventional study designs which examined the effect of social media influencer as the primary or only exposure on a quantified health outcome. We used narrative synthesis to summarise the characteristics and main findings of studies within each of four main topic areas. We assessed quality using a critical appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies. We identified twelve studies across four areas that met the inclusion criteria: children's dietary behaviour (n = 5), body image dissatisfaction (n = 4), influenza and COVID-19 (n = 2), and social comparison and anxiety (n = 1). Influencer marketing of unhealthy foods had a statistically significant effect on increasing children's immediate energy intake, but no effect was found for influencer promotion of vegetables. When an unhealthy food is marketed by an influencer of unhealthy appearance, this led to an increased preference for healthy snacks. Exposure to idealised influencer body imagery had statistically significant negative impacts on body image and mood. Anxiety caused by viewing idealised portrayals of motherhood was the same whether or not the portrayal was by an influencer. Public health campaigns harnessing influencers to promote hygiene habits in the context of COVID-19 and influenza showed some positive changes in health behaviours. Most of the published studies are of poor methodological quality with poor generalisability and statistical weaknesses. We conclude that social media influencers have both negative and positive impacts on health outcomes, with negative impacts seen consistently in studies of body image dissatisfaction. Further research is needed to harness the potential positive health impact of social media influencers, while mitigating against harmful effects.

Birds of a feather flocking together on Instagram: How racially similar followers and followings on Instagram are linked to young women's body image

In light of recent studies demonstrating the detrimental effects of social media use on young women's body image, we examined the racial composition of young women's Instagram followers, as well as the racial composition of the individuals in young women's followed Instagram accounts, in relation to their appearance ideals and body image. Based on social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), we tested two main propositions. First, women who have racially similar followers and followed accounts will be more likely to internalize body ideal preferences that are relevant to their in-group (i.e., thinness for Asian-American and White women; curviness for Black and Latina women). Second, following and being followed by people of one's racial identity in-group will have ameliorative effects on young women's body image (i.e., more body appreciation; less body dissatisfaction). Our sample included 533 U.S. women who identified as Asian-American (n = 97), Black (n = 101), Latina (n = 98), or White (n = 237). The results provided more support for the notion that racially similar followers and accounts followed are related to better body image outcomes rather than to the internalization of body ideals. Specifically, following a higher percentage of racially similar accounts was positively associated with body appreciation among Asian-American and White participants and negatively associated with body dissatisfaction among Asian-American participants. Likewise, being followed by a higher percentage of racially similar others was positively associated with body appreciation among Asian-American, Black, and White participants, and negatively associated with body dissatisfaction among Latina participants. The findings are discussed in light of social identity theory.

Factors influencing women to accept diet and exercise messages on social media during COVID-19 lockdowns: A qualitative application of the health belief model

This study investigates how engagement with social media leads women to adopt diet and exercise practices. We base our analysis on qualitative research, including surveys and in-depth interviews, with thirty (30) Australian women aged 18-35 years between April and August 2021. Our findings reveal how healthism discourse on social media, namely Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, underpin the adoption of diet and exercise practices by enhancing experiences of digital intimacy, repeat messages and personal testimonials from other women, and supporting new routines during COVID-19 lockdowns. This article contributes to health marketing literature by providing critical knowledge about women's experiences that prompt and shape complex ideologies of health that are often masked through diet and exercise practices on social media.

Psychometric Properties of Different Versions of the Body Shape Questionnaire in Female Aesthetic Patients

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the psychometric properties (internal consistency and factorial validity) of different versions of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) in a sample of female aesthetic patients. The sample included 296 women attending aesthetic clinics, with ages ranging between 18 and 70 years (M = 32.23, SD = 11.35) and body mass index between 17.10 and 45.00 kg/m2 (M = 24.70, SD = 4.07). Nine different length versions of the BSQ (BSQ-34, BSQ-32, BSQ-16A, BSQ-16B, BSQ-14, BSQ-8A, BSQ-8B, BSQ-8C and BSQ-8D) were subjected to confirmatory factor analyses, using a robust maximum likelihood estimator. Robust fit indices indicated that the BSQ-8D version was the better-fitting and more parsimonious model (S-Bχ2/df = 1.81, CFI = 0.963, RMSEA = 0.052, SRMR = 0.043). This short version also showed appropriate reliability (McDonald's omega and composite reliability = 0.87) and a very high correlation with the original BSQ-34 version (r = 0.95). In sum, these findings suggest that the BSQ-8D is the most valid, reliable and suitable BSQ version for measuring body shape concerns in female aesthetic patients.

Smartphone and Instagram use, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders: investigating the associations using self-report and tracked data

BACKGROUND

Previous research has linked smartphone and Instagram use to higher body dissatisfaction (BD) as well as eating disorder (ED) symptomatology. However, these studies have typically been limited to using self-report measures for technology use which, as shown by scientific literature, might not be reliable. In the present work, we combine self-reported assessments as well as tracked smartphone and Instagram use.

METHODS

The effective sample comprised N = 119 women (34 with ED diagnosis history) who were queried about BD and ED symptomatology, and who provided the data about their smartphone and Instagram use duration for each day of the previous week.

RESULTS

The study results show that women with an ED diagnosis history scored higher on both BD as well as ED scales. Although women with an ED diagnosis history had higher smartphone screen time, there were no statistically significant differences in Instagram screen time. Tracked smartphone use duration was positively correlated with both BD and ED symptomatology, but the role of Instagram use needs to be further elucidated.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that while BD and ED symptomatology are correlated with smartphone use, it may be that Instagram use is not the main contributor to that relationship.

Curating a body-positive feed? An attempt to mitigate the negative impacts of thin-ideal content on Instagram

Over the last decade, research has shown a negative relationship between social media use and body image. For women, these adverse effects tend to result from viewing content that promotes thinness as the ideal body type. Attempts to mitigate these adverse effects using disclaimers have failed. In the current study, we tested whether interspersing thin-ideal content with body-positive posts can mitigate the impact of thin-ideal content. The current study had six conditions. In three conditions, participants were exposed to 20 images of either thin-ideal, body-positive, or nature (control) images from Instagram. In the remaining three conditions, we interspersed the 20 images from the thin-deal condition with either 1 (i.e., 1:20 condition), 2 (i.e., 1:10 condition), or 4 (i.e., 1:5 condition) body-positive posts. For all six conditions, body satisfaction, body appreciation, appearance self-esteem, positive affect, and negative affect were measured before and after exposure. Our results demonstrated that irrespective of frequency, interspersing thin-ideal content with body-positive content did not mitigate decreases in body satisfaction, body appreciation, appearance self-esteem, or positive affect. Our failure to mitigate the negative impact of thin-ideal content adds to a growing body of work demonstrating that combating the impact of thin-ideal content on Instagram is extremely difficult.

Are humorous or distractor images more effective than self-compassion messages for combatting the negative body image consequences of social media? An experimental test of possible micro-intervention stimuli

Appearance-focused images on social media are thought to be particularly detrimental for body image. However, social media sites can also be used to encourage positive health behaviours. Three linked experiments with 620 Instagram users explored the protective capabilities of appearance-related self-compassion and appearance-related humorous messages for women's body image during Instagram use. Using simulated Instagram browsing tasks, participants were exposed to a set of fitspiration Instagram posts mixed with either self-compassion or humorous body image messages, or appearance-neutral images. Results indicated that appearance-related self-compassion and humorous messages were not more effective at protecting against negative appearance and life satisfaction outcomes than appearance-neutral images, and did not influence appearance comparison (Experiment 1), even when the personal relevance to participants' health was reinforced through experimental manipulation (Experiment 2). Rather, the presence of any image which did not contain pictures of women, regardless of image content, led to improved body image outcomes compared to exposure to fitspiration images alone (Experiment 3). Interpersonal factors such as the similarity of a female target's appearance also influenced the nature of comparisons made. The study highlights the importance of diluting appearance-focused content with other social media images in ongoing research practice and for user well-being.

Through Thick and Thin: Exposure to Instagram Advertisements and Willingness to Engage in Appearance-Altering Practices

Instagram is increasingly used in advertising, yet little is known about the unintended consequences of Instagram advertising on women's and girls' body image. Also largely unexplored is if and how curvy models (large breasts and buttocks, wide hips, and small waist) used in this advertising affect women's and girls' body image. We drew on social comparison and cultivation theories to explore if exposure to thin and curvy models through Instagram advertising is associated with late-adolescent girls' willingness to take action to be thinner or curvier, respectively. Two mediation models examined the mechanisms through which any such effects occur. A sample of 284 17-19 year old girls completed self-administered online questionnaires. Results revealed that exposure to thin and curvy models was positively associated with willingness to take action to be thinner and curvier, respectively. These associations were mediated by thin/curvy body preference (model 1), and by thin/curvy body preference, upward physical appearance comparisons, and body dissatisfaction (model 2). Results suggest that although exposure to different body types may be associated with different types of unhealthy (body-altering) actions, the processes underlying these effects are similar. This research highlights possible cultural shifts toward more diverse body ideals and informs tailored body concern interventions and media literacy programs.

An investigation of relationships between body compassion, social physique anxiety and physical appearance perfectionism in young people from Iran

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that physical appearance perfectionism could play an important role in social physique anxiety; however, the moderating role of body compassion has not been studied. The current study aims to explore the moderating role of body compassion in the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety in undergraduate students.

METHODS

A sample of 418 undergraduates (n = 418; 217 female and 201 males) from three universities in Tehran, Iran completed online questionnaires measuring physical appearance perfectionism, body compassion and social physique anxiety.

RESULTS

The results of structural equation modeling showed that physical appearance perfectionism (β = 0.68, p < 0.001) positively predicted the social physique anxiety and body compassion negatively predicted (β = - .56, p < 0.001) the social physique anxiety in undergraduate students. A multi-group analysis showed that body compassion acted as a moderator between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that individuals with greater levels of physical appearance perfectionism are more likely to experience social physique anxiety. Also, the results suggested that individuals who were at a high level of the body-compassion group experienced lower levels of social physical anxiety if they also had high levels of physical appearance perfectionism. Therefore, body-compassion acted as a protective role in the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety.

Body, eating, and exercise comparison orientation measure (BEECOM): Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties among Brazilian female university students

The Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (BEECOM) is an instrument that aims to quantify behaviors related to social comparison, specifically comparisons related to the body, eating and exercise, and was originally developed using a nonclinical population of American university women. The objective of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and verify the psychometric qualities of the BEECOM for young Brazilian adult women aged 18-35 years. In the present study, the cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument was performed through its translation, back-translation and evaluation by the target population. The instrument proved to be easy to understand among young women. Then, the psychometric qualities of the instrument were evaluated using a sample of 716 women (M_age = 22.47 ± 3.10). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the presence of three factors and satisfactory adjustment indexes. The BEECOM presented an invariant measurement across white vs. nonwhite and physically active vs. non-active individuals. In addition, the instrument showed adequate reliability and convergent validity. In conclusion, the BEECOM is a useful tool to evaluate social comparison behaviors related to eating disorders and body image in young Brazilian female adults, enabling further research on these constructs and supporting the development of preventive strategies.

Enriching sociocultural perspectives on the effects of idealized body norms: Integrating shame, positive body image, and self-compassion

Body image is an integral aspect of the psychology of the self. Idealized body images are ubiquitous in both traditional media forms (e.g., magazines, television) and social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram). The classic sociocultural model of body image (i.e., the Tripartite Influence Model) emphasizes pathways between idealized body norms, appearance comparisons, internalization of body ideals, and body dissatisfaction and its outcomes. We summarize the model and identify some issues to be addressed in future work, particularly in light of the immense popularity of social media. We review three topics that are not included in the sociocultural model but that provide a more complete picture of the influence of societal body norms on body image: (1) body shame, (2) positive body image, and (3) self-compassion. Research on the nature, assessment, and relevance of these constructs is reviewed in detail. In terms of clinical applications of these areas of research for individuals at risk of body dissatisfaction, we suggest assessing for and targeting body shame, cultivating facets of positive body image, and teaching strategies for developing self-compassion.

Obesity in Caucasian Seniors on the Rise: Is It Truly Harmful? Results of the PolSenior2 Study

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality; however, data suggest that in old age, obesity is not detrimental. The study’s objective was to verify whether obesity frequency still increases in Polish Caucasian seniors and to verify the “obesity paradox”. Five thousand and fifty-seven community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years completed a detailed medical questionnaire, underwent measurements of the body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC), and an evaluation of physical and cognitive performances. Over a decade, general obesity increased by 2.1%, mostly due to a 3.9% increase in men. Abdominal obesity increased by 1.0%, mainly due to males, in whom it increased by 3.9%. Obesity increased the risk of several aging-related diseases, but this effect was less pronounced in the oldest-old. Obesity did not adversely affect the physical and cognitive functioning or mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, the BMI and WC remained the independent predictors of the Katz Activities of Daily Living score (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and Mini-Mental State Examination score (both p < 0.001). The Kaplan−Meier survival curves revealed that overweight and obesity classes 1 and 2 were associated with the lowest mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, overweight, class 1 obesity, and abdominal obesity remained the independent predictors of a decreased mortality (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that overweight and obesity are not detrimental in seniors, including the oldest-old. We suggest that the anthropometric values defining obesity should be modified for age-advanced people.

Olapegba P, Sawamiya Y, Suzuki T, Yamamiya Y, Wagner MJ, Drysch M, Lehnhardt M, Behr B. Interethnic Influencing Factors Regarding Buttocks Body Image in Women from Nigeria, Germany, USA and Japan

BACKGROUND

Body image research deals a lot with awareness of the body as an entity. Studies that consider individual anatomical aspects and place them in an intercultural context are rarely present.

METHODS

For this purpose, general data, body perception and judgment of body images from 2163 (48% female and 52% male) participants from Germany, Nigeria, the USA and Japan were evaluated as part of a survey.

RESULTS

There were clear differences in the personal body image of the participants' own buttocks, the buttocks as a beauty ideal and the way in which dissatisfaction was dealt with in different countries. In addition to sexual well-being (importance score: 0.405 a.u.), the country of origin (0.353), media consumption (0.042) and one's own weight (0.069) were also identified as influencing factors for satisfaction with one's own buttocks. A clear evolution could be derived regarding a WHR (waist-to-hip ratio) of well below 0.7, which was consistently favored by the participants but also propagated by influencers through images (p < 0.001). In this context, participants who indicated celebrities as role models for the buttocks showed a correspondingly high level of dissatisfaction with their own buttocks (R = -0.207, p < 0.001, ρ = -0.218).

CONCLUSION

Overall, a highly significant correlation was shown between the consumption frequency of Instagram, TikTok and pornography with the negative perception of women's own buttocks.

Eating and body image characteristics of those who aspire to the slim-thick, thin, or fit ideal and their impact on state body image

The slim-thick ideal is characterized by a small waist and flat stomach, but large hips, thighs, and butt. Little research to date has examined the impact of this body-ideal on women's body image. The purpose of the current study was to investigate: 1) the impact of slim-thick, thin-, and fit-ideal imagery on women's body image, 2) the body ideals women most aspire to, and 3) eating and body image characteristics of women who aspire to each ideal. Participants were 123 female undergraduate students. Results revealed that experimental exposure to slim-thick- and fit-ideal imagery resulted in lower body satisfaction. Participants reported aspiring more to the fit and slim-thick-ideal than to the thin-ideal, and rated the slim-thick-ideal as the most attractive and desirable. Women who aspired to the thin- or slim-thick-ideal reported the greatest overall disordered eating. Women who aspired to the slim-thick-ideal reported greater dietary restraint, eating, shape and weight concerns, appearance ideal internalization, body image investment, and physical appearance perfectionism than those who aspired to the fit-ideal. Findings show that beauty ideals are shifting away from the thin-ideal toward a slim-thick-ideal. Slim-thick internalization may be harmful to women's well-being and should be addressed in body image and eating disorders interventions.