The relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance-focused activities and body image concerns in young women

About this resource

The present study aimed to identify the specific social networking sites (SNS) features that relate to body image concerns in young women. A total of 259 women aged 18–29 years completed questionnaire measures of SNS use (Facebook and Instagram) and body image concerns. It was found that appearance-focused SNS use, rather than overall SNS use, was related to body image concerns in young women. Specifically, greater engagement in photo activities on Facebook, but not general Facebook use, was associated with greater thin-ideal internalisation and body surveillance. Similarly, following appearance-focused accounts on Instagram was associated with thin-ideal internalisation, body surveillance, and drive for thinness, whereas following appearance-neutral accounts was not associated with any body image outcomes. Implications for future SNS research, as well as for body image and disordered eating interventions for young women, are discussed.

AuthorRachel Cohen, Toby Newton-John, Amy Slater
JournalBody Image
Year2017

See also

Negative body image and eating disorder symptomatology among young women identifying with goth subculture

The present study compared the rates of negative body image and risk for disordered eating in young women who identify as part of goth subculture and a matched sample.

Read more

Efficacy trial of a selective prevention program targeting both eating disorder symptoms and unhealthy weight gain among female college students.

Objective: Evaluate a selective prevention program targeting both eating disorder symptoms and unhealthy weight gain in young women.

Read more

The effect of acute weight restoration on dietary fat preference in hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa

Objective: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) restrict fat intake.

Read more

Intensive treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa: The cost of weight restoration

Objective: Weight restoration in anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with lower relapse risk; however rate of weight gain and percent of patients achieving weight restoration (BMI ≥ 19 at discharge) vary among treatment programs. We compared both cost/pound of weight gained and cost of weight restoration in a hospital-based inpatient (IP)-partial hospitalization (PH) eating disorders program to estimates of these costs for residential treatment.

Read more

Help us improve!

Give us feedback!

We will continue throughout 2018 to update and improve the NEDC website and welcome any feedback you may have on the site.

Provide feedback