Media have a powerful influence on our views of body image, and with the rise of social media, this influence has become more pervasive than ever. As we are constantly bombarded with images of what we ‘should’ look like, it is not a surprise that body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders are a widespread problem.
Unrealistic Standards
With the advent of platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and Snapchat, the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards has reached new heights. These platforms provide individuals with the means to constantly compare themselves to others, and the quest for that perfect image often leads to feelings of inadequacy. One of the contributing factors to the perpetuation of these unrealistic ideals is the use of filters, editing tools, and the careful curation of images. These digital enhancements create a distorted sense of beauty, where imperfections are virtually erased, and people become more used to seeing artificially flawless appearances. Television shows and movies also play a significant role in shaping these ideals, promoting a limited and often homogenised definition of what is considered attractive or desirable. This creates a culture of comparison and self-loathing, as we strive to achieve a standard that is simply not achievable without extreme measures. This can include restrictive diets, excessive exercise, or even resorting to dangerous practices such as purging or overeating. Intricate skincare regimes are also becoming more popular, with individuals investing significant time, effort, and resources to emulate the radiant skin portrayed in the media. From elaborate morning routines to the use of an array of products, the quest for flawless skin becomes a ritualised pursuit in the journey toward societal ideals of beauty. Furthermore, the normalisation of plastic surgery within popular media amplifies the influence of beauty ideals. Characters seamlessly undergoing cosmetic procedures or undergoing transformations contribute to a narrative that suggests altering one’s appearance is a routine and acceptable practice.
Social Media Presence and Diet Culture
To continue with the unrealistic standards, social media is often used as a platform for sharing and promoting diet culture, which can lead to disordered eating habits. A multitude of posts, stories, and advertisements advocate for various diets, detoxes, and lifestyle regimens, all promising quick fixes and miraculous transformations. This digital chorus of diet culture can be an insidious influencer on our attitudes and behaviors towards food and our bodies. It fosters an environment in which disordered eating habits can take root and flourish, as individuals increasingly turn to extreme dietary measures in an attempt to emulate the unattainable standards paraded before them. The consequence is not only a surge in unhealthy eating patterns, but also a rise in the prevalence of eating disorders, as the pursuit of a mirage-like ‘perfect’ body becomes an all-consuming endeavour, significantly impacting the mental and physical well-being of those caught in its grip.
Fatphobic Attitudes
Along with promoting an unrealistic standard of beauty and diet culture, media often perpetuates fatphobic attitudes and beliefs. Advertisements often rely on the stigma surrounding larger bodies, presenting weight loss as an integral part of health and happiness. This not only reinforces harmful stereotypes but can also fuel disordered eating behaviours. The societal preference for a slim body as better is reflected in the pervasive notion that individuals with thinner physiques are more disciplined, successful, and attractive. This stereotypes are evident, for example, in the fashion industry, where models are predominantly chosen for their thinness, reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards. Individuals who struggle with their weight may feel pressure to engage in diet culture, restrict or purge in order to meet these expectations. Media-driven fatphobia goes beyond stereotypes and it can also influence perceptions of happiness tied to weight loss. The intense pressure to conform to these beauty standards can lead to a complex web of emotional and physical consequences, low self-esteem, and, in the case of disordered eating behaviours, even to life-threatening health issues.
Triggering Imagery
For those who are already struggling with an eating disorder, the media can be an incredibly triggering environment. Even well-intentioned advertisements and articles can be rife with language and imagery that triggers negative thoughts and behaviours. Seeing images of food, even innocuous ones, can lead to cravings and urges to binge or restrict, while photos of thin bodies can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred. In an environment where extreme thinness is incessantly valorised, individuals who are already grappling with self-esteem issues may experience a deep sense of failure and disappointment in their own bodies, which, in turn, can aggravate their eating disorders.
Positive Change
Despite the negative impact of social media on unrealistic beauty standards and eating disorders, there are ways that we can work to promote a healthier, more positive culture around body image. This includes supporting and uplifting body diversity, greater calling out fatphobic language and diet culture, and promoting a healthier view around body image, advocating for messages of self-care and self-love over those of weight loss and thinness. This might help some individuals to recognise the importance of nurturing their physical and mental health, irrespective of their appearance. By emphasising self-care and self-love, we can encourage individuals to prioritise their well-being, engage in positive self-reflection, and cultivate a deeper sense of self-acceptance. Taking note of the ways in which social media influences our relationship with ourselves is the first step toward creating a healthier and more positive environment for all. It is a collective effort that involves media outlets, content creators, and individuals alike. By actively working to continuously challenge and transform the media landscape, we can contribute to the nurturing of a more inclusive and compassionate society that embraces the diversity of human bodies and values each individual for their unique qualities and inherent worth.
If you struggle with body image and/or disordered eating, reach out to us to book a session with one of our psychologists who specialise in the area.
