In a groundbreaking online study, researchers delved into the effects of popular social media trends on body dissatisfaction and overall mood among women. The study examined the impact of three trends: “fitspiration”, “body positivity”, and “body neutrality”. These trends, commonly seen on platforms like Instagram, aim to promote health and fitness, self-love for larger bodies, and appreciation for the body’s functions, respectively.
The study included a diverse group of women, with 172 participants who had eating disorders (ED) and 210 without. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of the three trends and presented with 30 Instagram posts. State questionnaires on body dissatisfaction and affect were completed both before and after viewing the posts.
The findings were eye-opening. Body dissatisfaction increased significantly after exposure to images of thin-muscular women promoting health and fitness (Fitspiration), reinforcing the harmful effects of unrealistic beauty standards. However, the results were much more positive for those viewing images of larger female bodies and text-based illustrations encouraging women to appreciate the body’s functions.
Notably, the study found no differential effect between women with and without eating disorders, indicating that all women can be equally susceptible to negative body image impacts.
These findings shed light on the importance of prevention programs that address the harmful effects of “fitspiration”. Society must strive for more body-positive content, promoting acceptance and appreciation of all body types. By embracing “body positivity” and “body neutrality”, we can work towards empowering women and fostering a healthier relationship with their bodies.
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