The Impact of Body Positivity on Body Satisfaction: An Australian Study

Social media platforms are often filled with images of so-called perfect bodies, thin and tanned, that are far from the reality of most users. Many can relate to Rachel Favery, who once felt the negative effects of these social media portrayals, viewing herself as failing to live up to an unattainable ideal. However, Favery, like many others, has started shifting her social media landscape by following creators who celebrate diverse body types, a move that has improved her own body satisfaction.

A recent study from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has shed light on the potential benefits of this simple yet profound change in media consumption. The study found that viewing even small amounts of social media content showcasing diverse body types could improve body satisfaction in young women. This research was led by Dr. Jasmine Fardouly, focusing on the effectiveness of such "micro-interventions".

The Power of Body Positivity

Dr. Fardouly's research aimed to understand the impact of social media on young people's mental and physical health, specifically how body-positive content might influence body image and mood. The study found that exposure to body-positive content reduced the frequency with which young women compared their appearances to others in their everyday lives. This effect was observed despite the variety of other content that users typically view on social media.

The study involved 159 Australian women aged 18-25 who viewed body-positive posts daily over a two-week period. The results indicated a decrease in body dissatisfaction and maintained improvements in body image even four weeks after viewing the content. Participants were divided into three different Facebook groups: one body-positive, one neutral, and one control, with surveys conducted before and after the exposure period evaluating their body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, mood, appearance comparison tendency, and intent to engage in body activism.

Body Dissatisfaction and Social Media

A 2017 online survey by the Butterfly Foundation found that more than a third of Australians were dissatisfied to very dissatisfied with their appearance, and 73% wished they could change the way they looked. Such body dissatisfaction, especially prevalent among young women, can seriously affect mental health, contributing to eating disorders, depression, and some anxiety disorders. The consistent exposure to perfectly curated images of young women on social media can increase body dissatisfaction, leading individuals to judge themselves as less attractive.

Despite these challenges, the study from UNSW suggests that body-positive content can help make social media a less harmful environment for body image.

The Impact on Content Creators

The findings of this research do not only affect the consumers of content but also the creators. Instagram influencer Lillian Ahenkan, also known as FlexMami, voiced her concerns about the impact of such studies on creators. As someone who is often associated with body positivity due to her appearance, she finds the comparison that comes with it debilitating. Despite not being actively involved in the body positivity space, she is frequently pigeonholed into it by her audience.

An Alternative: Neutral Content

The UNSW study also highlighted the potential benefits of consuming neutral content, i.e., images that do not contain bodies, such as landscapes or objects. This type of content may offer young women fewer opportunities to compare their appearance to others, or encourage them to focus on aspects outside of their appearance, leading to less body dissatisfaction.

Small Changes, Big Impact

The study suggests that even minimal changes to social media activity can have substantial benefits. Dr. FFardouly noted that "just one post a day was potentially enough to induce positive effects. More exposure may be even more effective." While more intensive interventions, like online detoxing, can be effective, it's unrealistic to expect young adults to stop using social media altogether. As the research demonstrates, it's not about the time spent on social media, but rather what you're doing when you're on it.

In conclusion, while a small amount of body positivity can make a significant difference, more research is needed, particularly on the impact on content creators. By promoting body positivity and diversity on social media, we can create a healthier environment for body image and satisfaction.