Technology, Body Image, and Disordered Eating

Abstract

The present chapter is intended to provide a theoretical and empirical overview of the link between technologies, body image, and eating behavior, particularly disordered eating. In general terms, body image refers to an individual’s self-perception and cognitive appraisal of his or her own body. On the other hand, disordered eating refers to a wide spectrum of eating patterns characterized as being detrimental to health, such as self-induced vomiting. Both body image and disordered eating have been linked to mass media exposure. The majority of research to date has focused on the influence of mass media on body image attitudes, which, in turn, can shape eating patterns. Nevertheless, the influence of technology on body image and eating behavior goes far beyond mass media technologies. For instance, several decades ago, it was not possible to use the human body to communicate with machines, and now that can be done, using brain-computer interfaces. We have divided this chapter into two major sections. The first explores key concepts related to body image and develops three theoretically and empirically grounded major frameworks: a cognitive-behavioral model, a sociocultural model, and a cognitive neuroscience perspective. In the second section, we use those concepts to demonstrate the influence of both traditional media (e.g., television, magazines), and new media (e.g., the Internet) on body image and disordered eating. Moreover, we provide current evidence showing how immersive digital technologies, such as virtual reality, can be used for improving body image among individuals with eating- and weight-related pathologies. Finally, we provide some hypotheses on how emerging technologies (e.g., smart devices) could influence body image and eating behavior in the future.