Increased Body Dissatisfaction Research Articles

The influence of Western body ideals on Kenyan, Kenyan American, and African Americans’ body image

Studies have shown that there exists a relationship between exposure to idealized media images and increased self-ratings of body dissatisfaction – defined as a person’s negative feelings and ratings of their own body weight and shape (e.g. Galioto & Crowther, 2013; Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008). Using two experimental studies, we examined the impact of exposure to Western media-ideal images on Kenyan, Kenyan Americans, and African Americans’ self-perception and body satisfaction. Across the two studies, it was hypothesized that individuals who were exposed to the thin body ideal media images would report more body dissatisfaction than those exposed to overweight images. Findings support these hypotheses and suggest that exposure to Western media body ideal images is significantly related to increased body dissatisfaction. Implications regarding the need to educate people to become critical consumers of media and consequences on social justice are discussed.

The Role of Theistic Spirituality in Adolescent Girls' Body Esteem: A Pilot Outcome Study

A pilot outcome study explored associations between psychospiritual variables and body esteem in adolescent girls at a Roman Catholic high school by examining the influence of The Imago Dei Experience (TIDE), an intervention program the first author designed. Perception of God's loving acceptance accounted for significant variance in weight and appearance body esteem; religious crisis accounted for significant variance in weight body esteem. Lack of significant changes in body esteem from pretest to 18‐month follow‐up suggested the TIDE program may have buffered the typical increase in body dissatisfaction over that period of time for adolescent girls. The authors recommend counselors explore qualities of God image and religious crisis with adolescent girls.

Evaluating the effectiveness of ecological momentary assessment and intervention targeting body checking behaviors

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the efficacy of using ecological momentary assessment and intervention (EMA/EMI) to target body checking behaviors. Body checking has been shown to increase body dissatisfaction and play a role in eating disorders, but few treatments specifically targeting body checking have been empirically evaluated. Forty-four female undergraduates who reported engaging in frequent body checking behaviors participated in a five-day study wherein they were assessed five times a day via smart phone. On the final two days of the study, intervention messages were sent containing cognitive-behavioral strategies for decreasing body checking. Body checking behaviors increased within each day, but decreased across the five day intervention period. Pretest to posttest analyses found healthy improvements in a number of body image related constructs. These results highlight that 1) body checking appears to increase throughout the day, and 2) targeting body checking behaviors through brief EMA/EMI may be a useful clinical tool.

Social Media and Body Dissatisfaction: Investigating the Attenuating Role of Positive Parent\u2013Adolescent Relationships

Previous research has shown that adolescents´ social media use predicts increased body dissatisfaction. However, little is known about social environmental factors that may attenuate this relationship. This study examines one such potential moderating social environmental factor: positive parent–adolescent relationships. A school-based survey was conducted among 440 adolescents aged 12 to 19 (M= 14.9, SD= 1.8, 47% female). On average, social media use was positively associated with body dissatisfaction, but this relationship was weaker among adolescents who reported a more positive mother–adolescent relationship. Positive father–adolescent relationship did not moderate the association between social media use and body dissatisfaction. These findings may indicate that adolescents’ social environment, notably the relationship they have with their mothers, can protect them against the detrimental effects of social media use on body dissatisfaction. However, longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to examine the direction of effects and test the validity of this interpretation.

Eating psychopathology of staff working with patients with an eating disorder

Background: Evidence suggests that social comparison is a predictor of increased body dissatisfaction and body dissatisfaction, in turn, is a predictor of increased eating psychopathology (weight and shape management behaviour). This has been explored in the general population but not in a population of staff working with patients with an eating disorder, who may be particularly vulnerable to the development of eating psychopathology. Aims: To explore the relationship between social comparison, body dissatisfaction and eating psychopathology in female staff working with patients with an eating disorder. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire design was used with 131 clinical staff working with patients with an eating disorder and a comparison group of 131 adult women who do not work with this population. Findings: Findings were surprising and showed a deviation from the norm as staff engaged in significantly lower levels of weight and shape management behaviours compared to the non-staff group. Conclusion: The use of weight and shape management behaviours are significantly lower in staff working with patients with an eating disorder compared to the typical population, despite having more opportunity for social comparison. Psychological theories are used to offer an explanation for this finding.

Objectifying fitness: A content and thematic analysis of #fitspiration images on social media.

Research suggests that exposure to #fitspiration content can result in increased body dissatisfaction. Employing a data-driven approach, the present study examines the nature of images and text contained within #fitspiration posts on social media. First, a content analysis of images labelled as #fitspiration on popular site Instagram (N = 1,000) was performed. People featured in 52% of images, of which nearly 90% of individuals were coded as having low body fat and 55% were coded as muscular. Individuals were typically presented in sexually objectified ways, which varied as a function of gender. Second, a thematic analysis of text from the same set of images (N = 400) was conducted to identify common themes and underlying meaning embedded within the messages. Six themes were developed: (1) Fit is sexy, (2) A fit physique requires commitment and self-regulation, (3) Your choices define you, (4) Pleasure and perseverance through pain, (5) Battle of the selves: You vs. You, and (6) Here’s to us! A celebration of a community. In combination, the analyses demonstrate how text and images found in #fitspiration posts perpetuate pervading sociocultural appearance ideals for men and women, positioning exercise as means to achieving these ideals. Furthermore, #fitspiration sexually objectifies the fit body, with text and images encouraging self-objectification and the distancing of the self from internal bodily functions in physical activity settings. Future research should focus on how #fitspiration content influences individuals in relation to how they think and feel about their body and physical activity.

Promoting positive body image and tackling overweight/obesity in children and adolescents: A combined health psychology and public health approach

This article draws attention to the dual global problems of disordered eating and overweight/obesity among children and adolescents. It is well recognised that the main risk factor for disordered eating is body dissatisfaction, yet public health messages to tackle overweight/obesity are likely to increase body dissatisfaction. This tension between key public health messages and a health psychology approach is examined, with the goal of seeking a common way forward. We focus on the UK as a case study, where there is currently no statutory education in schools on body image. Since more prescriptive guidance on the curriculum covering personal/social/health issues is soon to be introduced, it is timely to consider the content, and in particular its impact on body image as well as overweight/obesity. Having reviewed current interventions and policy, we argue for a more holistic approach to the obesity problem, using a whole school approach to create a body confident culture.

“You look great!”: The effect of viewing appearance-related Instagram comments on women’s body image

Instagram is an increasingly popular social networking site where users post and share photos. The aim of the present study was to experimentally investigate the effect of viewing appearance-related comments accompanying Instagram images on women’s body image. Participants were 128 female undergraduate students who viewed a set of attractive images paired with a brief positive comment. For half the participants, comments were related to appearance; the other half viewed the same images with place-related comments. As predicted, exposure to appearance comments led to greater body dissatisfaction than exposure to place comments. There was no significant effect on state self-objectification, but trait self-objectification predicted increase in body dissatisfaction regardless of experimental condition. It was concluded that comments form an important and integral part of Instagram imagery, one that has implications for body image in its own right.

Images of Thin and Plus-Size Models Produce Opposite Effects on Women’s Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction, and Anxiety

Mainstream media’s promotion of dangerously thin female images likely lowers self-image satisfaction and contributes to pathological body concerns and disordered eating among women. We tested upward and downward social-comparison effects on self-evaluations by exposing 145 Spanish women to images of thin (upward) or overweight (downward) models. We also tested whether explicitly asking or not asking participants to compare themselves with the models would moderate social comparison effects. Exposure to thin models deteriorated body image while increasing body dissatisfaction and anxiety. Conversely, exposure to overweight models improved body image and decreased body dissatisfaction but it did not affect anxiety. Whether participants were asked to compare themselves to the models explicitly or implicitly had no effect on the participants’ responses. Furthermore, pre-existing body image concerns were not associated with the pre-to-post exposure effects. We propose that increasing the representation of normal weight and overweight women in media advertisements could help to neutralize or at least reduce the negative impact of media’s practice to idealize thin and overly thin women as symbols of female beauty.

A new cognitive bias modification technique to influence risk factors for eating disorders

Eating disorder psychopathology is associated with a propensity to interpret ambiguous stimuli to be negatively related to one's appearance and self-worth. The relative impact of modifying interpretation bias for these respective stimuli is unknown. Hence the main aim of the current study was to compare two cognitive bias modification protocols targeting interpretation bias (CBM-I), one focused on appearance and the other on self-worth, in terms of impacting interpretation bias, body dissatisfaction and negative affect. The appearance-based CBM-I protocol was developed for the current study. Female university students (N = 123) were randomized into one of three CBM-I conditions: appearance, self-worth or control. Immediately following a negative induction that significantly increased body dissatisfaction and negative affect, participants underwent their respective CBM-I training. The CBM-I for appearance produced significant changes in the targeted bias, as well as significant improvements (moderate effect sizes) in appearance satisfaction, relative to the CBM-I for self-worth and control conditions. The results support the usefulness of the CBM-I for appearance protocol, and suggests that this technique warrants further investigation with respect to modifying interpretation bias and risk factors associated with eating disorder psychopathology. Null effects of CBM-I for self-worth should be interpreted in light of study limitations, including the potential unsuitability of training material for young women. CBM-I for both types of interpretation bias should be evaluated in future research.

Prospective predictors of body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and muscularity concerns among young women in France: A sociocultural model

The aim of this study was to explore a prospective sociocultural model of the influence of media, peers, and partners on body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and muscularity concerns in a sample of young women in France. A sample of 192 undergraduate women with a mean age of 20.97 years (SD = 2.69) completed a questionnaire at two time-points, 12 months apart, assessing media and interpersonal influences, appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and muscularity concerns. The final model highlighted that media and interpersonal influences (from peers and romantic partners) were associated over time with increased body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and muscularity concerns one year later, via appearance comparison. Sociocultural influences towards both thinness and muscularity may contribute to increases in body image concerns and risky body change behaviors in young women in France.

Exploring weight control as motivation for illicit stimulant use

ObjectiveResearch has highlighted a growing trend among young, adult women to initiate drug use for weight loss. With known suppressive effects on appetite, illicit stimulants (i.e., cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy) may be particularly attractive to college women, who are at elevated risk for increased body dissatisfaction and experimenting with extreme weight loss techniques. The current study examines the association between risk factors and symptomatology of eating disorders and illicit stimulant use (ISU). MethodsA preliminary study was conducted on a nonclinical sample of 131 drug-using, college women (16- to 24-years old). Participants reported internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behavior, and current drug use as well as corresponding weight-related motivation. ResultsThere were 15.3% of women who reported drug use for weight-control purposes. Results showed women who reported drug use for weight control predominantly used illicit stimulants (70%), such as cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Moreover, the odds of ISU were increased among women who engaged in laxative misuse. ConclusionsThese results suggest that a desire for weight control may be associated with ISU among college women. Women engaging in more extreme weight loss behaviors are at high risk for initiating and maintaining ISU for weight-related reasons.

Effects of induced rumination on body dissatisfaction: Is there any difference between men and women?

Background and objectivesRumination is a factor in the development and maintenance of body dissatisfaction. However, no study has yet investigated the impact of the type of rumination on body image. The first aim of this study was to examine whether the induction of analytic-abstract vs. concrete-experiential rumination affects body dissatisfaction following an induction of negative body image. The second objective was to examine gender differences in these effects. MethodsFollowing induction of negative body image, 102 university undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions—distraction, concrete rumination or abstract rumination. ResultsAs expected, there were significant main effects of gender and condition, and a significant interaction between gender and condition on change in body dissatisfaction. In women abstract rumination predicted the highest increase in body dissatisfaction, whereas concrete rumination predicted the highest increase in body dissatisfaction in men. LimitationsGiven that our sample consisted of undergraduate students, our findings cannot be generalized to clinical sample suffering from eating disorder. ConclusionsThe different types of rumination seem to impact differentially body dissatisfaction in men and women.

Body dissatisfaction, neuroticism, and female sex as predictors of calorie-tracking app use amongst college students

ABSTRACTObjective: This study investigated body dissatisfaction, neuroticism, and sex as potential predictors of calorie-tracking app usage amongst undergraduate college students. Participants: College students (N = 491) were recruited from a large northeastern university in October 2015. Methods: Participants completed an online survey asking about their sex, body dissatisfaction, neuroticism, and use of apps that track calories. Results: Analyses revealed that female sex and body dissatisfaction—but not neuroticism—were direct predictors of calorie-tracking app usage. Analyses also provided support for a causal sequence wherein neuroticism and body dissatisfaction mediate, in serial, the relationship between female sex and calorie-tracking app usage. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that female college students are more likely to use calorie-tracking apps—a phenomenon which may be attributable to their higher levels of neuroticism and subsequent increased body dissatisfaction.

Labelling fashion magazine advertisements: Effectiveness of different label formats on social comparison and body dissatisfaction

The experiment investigated the impact on women’s body dissatisfaction of different forms of label added to fashion magazine advertisements. Participants were 340 female undergraduate students who viewed 15 fashion advertisements containing a thin and attractive model. They were randomly allocated to one of five label conditions: no label, generic disclaimer label (indicating image had been digitally altered), consequence label (indicating that viewing images might make women feel bad about themselves), informational label (indicating the model in the advertisement was underweight), or a graphic label (picture of a paint brush). Although exposure to the fashion advertisements resulted in increased body dissatisfaction, there was no significant effect of label type on body dissatisfaction; no form of label demonstrated any ameliorating effect. In addition, the consequence and informational labels resulted in increased perceived realism and state appearance comparison. Yet more extensive research is required before the effective implementation of any form of label.

BODY IMAGE DISSATISFACTION AMONG GYM-GOERS IN BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Introduction: During decades of epidemiological investigation, a consensus was reached regarding physical activity and its association with benefits for the health of the population, including a reduced risk for coronary diseases, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis and depression. Such associations led to the promotion of an active life style to be included in guidelines and governmental programs and absorbed by the fitness and supplement industries, often displaying different interests although there is growing evidence of an increase in body dissatisfaction. Objective: To evaluate body dissatisfaction among gym-goers and its relationship with age, sex, participation in gym activities and nutritional status. Methods: Participants were 227 users of 3 fitness academies with an average age of 31.4 (12.3) years; 51.5% of the participants were men. Collected data were related to anthropometry and fitness activity participation, and a body image scale was applied. Results: Body image dissatisfaction was found in 67.4% of the sample, of which 64.8% expressed a desire to be slimmer. Such dissatisfaction was also present in those of normal weight, of whom 11.5% were male and 9.2% female. For women of average weight, the odds of dissatisfaction were estimated to be 0.20-fold greater than for men (p<10-6). Discussion: Fitness academies in Brazil and several other parts of the world, with an approach based on the fitness model that emphasizes the cult of the body beautiful, are likely to attract a male audience more inclined to experience body dissatisfaction. Constant monitoring of nutritional care is recommended for these individuals, in order to prevent exaggerated body dissatisfaction patterns Conclusions: Body image dissatisfaction was greater among female athletes who wished to achieve a slimmer look. Due to the large number of eutrophic gym-goers with body image dissatisfaction, campaigns for adequate body weight maintenance are recommended. These would take the emphasis off the adoption of body types with low fat percentages and risky behaviors like diets and food restriction, which trigger eating disorders. Level of Evidence I; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

The effect of viewing fitness imagery on body dissatisfaction: sex and physical activity differences

Exposure to cultural bodily ideals featuring thinness and muscularity can have deleterious effects on body satisfaction. The current study explores the effect of exposure to such imagery on body dissatisfaction and the influence of internalisation of cultural and athletic ideals. 188 (97 male) adults (18–25yrs; M = 20.97) were grouped according to a 2 × 2 × 2 mixed between-within subjects design (male/female; high/low physical activity; intervention/control). Participants were exposed to images of idealised physiques or neutral images. Internalisation-general, sex, physical activity levels, and Body Mass Index were associated with baseline levels of body dissatisfaction. Internalisation of cultural ideals appears to be an important factor for the prediction of body dissatisfaction. Exposure to idealised images resulted in increases in body dissatisfaction across all groups compared to controls. Neither sex nor physical activity levels buffer young adults from the negative effects of viewing images featuring idealised bodies.

‘Selfie’-objectification: The role of selfies in self-objectification and disordered eating in young women

Existing research demonstrates a relationship between social networking site (SNS) use and body-related concerns and disordered eating amongst females. Preliminary evidence indicates that SNS photo activities (e.g., taking and sharing ‘selfies’) may play a particularly important role. The present study aimed to use self-objectification as a framework to examine the relationship between SNS photo activities and body-related and eating concerns in a population of young women. Participants were 259 young women (age 18–29; M = 22.97, SD = 3.25) who completed self-report questionnaires of SNS use and body-related and disordered eating concerns. Results showed that SNS ‘selfie’ activities, rather than general SNS usage, were associated with body-related and eating concerns. Specifically, greater investment in ‘selfie’ activities was associated with increased body dissatisfaction and bulimia symptomatology, even after accounting for known risk factors such as thin-ideal internalisation and body mass index (BMI). Moreover, self-objectification was found to moderate the relationship between photo investment and bulimia symptomatology. These findings indicate that active engagement with SNS photo activities, rather than general SNS use, shows an association with body-related and eating concerns. Interventions targeting specific SNS photo activities may be an effective avenue for the prevention and management of body-related concerns and disordered eating in young women.

A content analysis of thinspiration, fitspiration, and bonespiration imagery on social media

BackgroundOn social media, images such as thinspiration, fitspiration, and bonespiration, are shared to inspire certain body ideals. Previous research has demonstrated that exposure to these groups of content is associated with increased body dissatisfaction and decreased self-esteem. It is therefore important that the bodies featured within these groups of content are more fully understood so that effective interventions and preventative measures can be informed, developed, and implemented.MethodA content analysis was conducted on a sample of body-focussed images with the hashtags thinspiration, fitspiration, and bonespiration from three social media platforms.ResultsThe analyses showed that thinspiration and bonespiration content contained more thin and objectified bodies, compared to fitspiration which featured a greater prevalence of muscles and muscular bodies. In addition, bonespiration content contained more bone protrusions and fewer muscles than thinspiration content.ConclusionsThe findings suggest fitspiration may be a less unhealthy type of content; however, a subgroup of imagery was identified which idealised the extremely thin body type and as such this content should also be approached with caution. Future research should utilise qualitative methods to further develop understandings of the body ideals that are constructed within these groups of content and the motivations behind posting this content.

Idealised media images: The effect of fitspiration imagery on body satisfaction and exercise behaviour

Recent studies have documented a shift in the cultural ideal of physical attractiveness, with women subscribing to a visibly toned ideal that emphasises health and fitness. The present study experimentally investigated the impact of athletic and muscular fitness-idealised images compared to traditional thin ideal images on women’s body dissatisfaction and exercise behaviour, under the framework of Social Comparison Theory. Participants were 106 female undergraduate students randomly assigned to view one of three sets of images (thin ideal, athletic ideal, or muscular ideal) followed by a bout of exercise. Acute exposure to athletic ideal and thin ideal images led to increased body dissatisfaction, but exposure to muscular ideal images did not. Relative to thin ideal images, fitness-idealised images did not motivate participants to engage in higher levels of exercise suggesting that this type of fitness inspiration might not motivate actual exercise behaviour.