Association between engagement with appearance and eating related TikTok content and eating disorder symptoms via recommended content and appearance comparisons.

OBJECTIVE: It is well-established that the use of appearance-focused social media is associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms, due to the presence of idealized imagery. Of concern, social media exposure is increasingly influenced by algorithms, which recommend content based on an analysis of the users' previous patterns of engagement. However, the relationships between users' engagement with social media content based upon its centering of appearance and eating, the presence of these themes in content suggested to them, and their ED symptoms remains unknown. The current study aimed to examine these relationships in the context of TikTok, a video- and algorithm-based platform. METHOD: Undergraduate students (N = 230; 78% female) completed self-report measures of ED symptoms, upwards social media appearance comparisons, as well as a novel measure of TikTok activity. RESULTS: Serial mediation analyses provided support for indirect relationships between engagement with appearance/eating-related content and ED symptoms via higher proportions of appearance/eating-related recommended content and higher levels of upwards social media appearance comparisons, respectively. There was no association between average screen time, nor general tendency to actively engage with content, and either ED symptoms or upwards social media appearance comparisons. DISCUSSION: Findings provide preliminary support for how engagement on TikTok is related to targeted exposure in ways that may contribute to perpetuating and exacerbating ED symptoms. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Social media use has been consistently associated with greater eating disorder symptoms. However, the ways in which users' engagement with social media content may be related to targeted social media exposure, and in turn eating disorder symptoms, remains unknown. This research provided preliminary evidence for associations between users' engagement with, and targeted exposure to, TikTok content related to appearance and eating, and their eating disorder symptoms.

Positive body image, intuitive eating, and psychosocial functioning among older women: Testing an integrated model.

BACKGROUND: Research on the body image and eating behaviors of older women is scarce. Moreover, the scant existing research has lacked a focus on positive dimensions, such as positive reappraisal and acceptance, body appreciation, appearance satisfaction, and intuitive eating among older women. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine a model of the relationships among these positive dimensions and psychological functioning in older women. METHODS: A sample of 171 women aged 60-75 years were recruited through social media to respond to a survey assessing body image, eating behaviors, and psychological wellbeing. RESULTS: The final model was a good fit to the data. In this model, positive reappraisal and acceptance of age-related appearance changes was associated with higher body appreciation, in turn associated with higher body image related quality of life, higher levels of intuitive eating, and lower levels of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Positive body image and positive reappraisal of aging-related changes in appearance are associated with psychological wellbeing among older women. Longitudinal data are needed to clarify the direction of these relationships and inform interventions. Body image remains an important dimension among older women and should be accounted for in broader health promotion efforts among this group.

Beauty and the big business: A qualitative investigation of the development and implementation of the CVS Beauty Mark.

Detrimental effects of retouched media imagery on body image among women have led to calls to increase transparency regarding the use of digital modification. CVS Health, a large US-based beauty retailer, announced in 2018 its intention to implement across its beauty department imagery two labels: a "Beauty Mark" label to indicate a retouch-free image, and a second label disclosing digital modification. The aim of the present study was to explore the motivations, facilitators, and barriers to its implementation. In-depth individual interviews (n = 11) were conducted with professionals involved in the conceptualization, development, artistic vision, and implementation of the initiative. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) CVS's perception that the campaign as a good fit; (2) the marketing of "empowerment" to generate profit as well as a desired outcome; and (3) desire to exemplify a value-driven company model and contribute sustainably to broader values such as diversity and body positivity. These findings may help to identify ways in which to create larger scale change within media imagery.

#Beautyunedited: Is labeling unedited selfies helpful for body image and mood among young women?

Research has shown that social media content that has not been digitally altered may help support positive body image. However, the effects of adding labels to such images has received little research attention. This study compared the effects of selfies that were: edited, unedited, and unedited + labeled. A sample of 350 young women, mean age (SD) = 21.87 (2.28) years, were randomly allocated to one of three conditions and completed pre and post exposure measures of state body image and mood, as well as trait risk and protective factors. Findings revealed that participants allocated to the unedited + labeled condition reported greater increases in state appearance satisfaction as compared to those who viewed the edited selfies. In addition, participants with higher levels of social media literacy benefited most from the unedited + labeled selfies. Findings suggest that selfies bearing a label indicating that they have not been edited may be more helpful for body image among young women as comapred to edited selfies. Thus, labels could represent useful social marketing tools on social media and contribute to efforts to increase the realism of social media imagery.

Beauty ideals, social media, and body positivity: A qualitative investigation of influences on body image among young women in Japan.

Body image and eating concerns are prevalent among Japanese young women and result in part from exposure to unrealistic media imagery. In Western contexts, a growing body of research has explored the impact of social media on body image and eating disorder risk, and the potential for body positive media to mitigate these harmful effects. However, similar research in Japan is lacking. The aim of the present study was to qualitatively explore media and social media influences on body image and associated behaviors among young women in Japan, with a specific focus on body positive media content. Female university students in Japan (n = 29) participated in majority group and some individual interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four primary themes: (1) media appearance pressures: additive pressures of Japanese and Western ideals through globalization, (2) criticism of, resistance to, and negotiating appearance ideals, and (3) presence of body positivity in Japan, and (4) media as a background for interpersonal appearance pressures. High pressure towards thinness emerged, perceived as contributing to weight control behaviors that were calibrated to avoid being "unhealthy." Desire for greater body diversity in Japanese media emerged; however, findings suggest body positive messaging is scarce and mainly limited to high-profile celebrities.

Labels to prevent the detrimental effects of media on body image: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Most advertisements contain thin-ideal imagery enhanced by digital modification. The deleterious effects on body image and eating disorder risk of exposure to such images have been well documented. One of the proposed macro-level solutions to mitigate these effects has been the use of labels on images, primarily disclaimer labels. A growing number of studies have explored the usefulness of such labels in protecting body image against the detrimental effects of media exposure; however, findings have been divergent. METHODS: The current study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature investigating the effects of including labels on media images on body image. RESULTS: The systematic review identified n = 22 studies that were included in a narrative review, n = 18 were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, findings provided little support for the use of disclaimer or warning labels as a means of protecting against the detrimental effects of media exposure on body image. Furthermore, findings suggested that such labels might increase state appearance comparison when exposed to media images. DISCUSSION: These findings are especially concerning in light of recent legislative efforts to mitigate media effects through the use of labels on imagery, as well as industry initiatives based on image labeling. Additional research examining alternative strategies for universal prevention of body image and eating concerns is warranted.

La mayoría de las imágenes de los anuncios publicitarios presentan una figura ideal delgada que ha sido retocada digitalmente. Los efectos nocivos en la imagen corporal y el riesgo de trastorno alimentario por la exposición a dichas imágenes han sido bien documentados. Una de las soluciones a gran escala que se han propuesto para mitigar estos efectos ha sido el uso de etiquetas en las imágenes, básicamente etiquetas de exención de responsabilidad. Un número creciente de estudios ha explorado la utilidad de dichas etiquetas para proteger la imagen corporal contra los efectos perjudiciales de la exposición a los medios de comunicación; sin embargo, los hallazgos han sido divergentes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar una revisión sistemática y un meta-análisis de la literatura existente que investiga los efectos de incluir estas etiquetas en las imágenes sobre imagen corporal en los medios de comunicación. La revisión sistemática identificó n = 22 estudios que se incluyeron en una revisión narrativa, n = 18 se incluyeron en el meta-análisis. En general, los hallazgos proporcionaron poco soporte para el uso de descargos de responsabilidad o etiquetas de advertencia como un medio de protección contra los efectos perjudiciales de la exposición de los medios en la imagen corporal. Además, las investigaciones han demostrado que dichas etiquetas pueden aumentar la comparación al ser expuestas a las imágenes mediáticas. Estos hallazgos son especialmente preocupantes a la luz de los recientes esfuerzos legislativos para mitigar los efectos de los medios mediante el uso de etiquetas en las imágenes, así como las iniciativas de la industria basadas en el etiquetado de imágenes. Se justifica una investigación adicional que examine las estrategias alternativas para la prevención universal de la imagen corporal y las preocupaciones alimentarias.

Racial/ethnic and weight status disparities in dieting and disordered weight control behaviors among early adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This study examined whether racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are at increased risk of disordered weight control behaviors, defined as unhealthy behaviors aiming to control or modify shape and weight, ranging from self-induced vomiting to the use of dietary supplements. METHODS: U.S. Middle school children (n=12.511) provided self-report of gender, race/ethnicity, height, and weight as well as dieting and disordered weight control behaviors. RESULTS: In the entire sample, 25.6% (n=1514) of girls and 16.6% (n=1098) of boys reported dieting within the last month, while 3.5% (n=200) of girls and 2.7% (n=176) of boys reported DWCB. Within all racial/ethnic groups, participants classified as being overweight/obese (34% to 50%) were more likely to report dieting compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity (9.6% to 29.6%). Racial/ethnic minority children with overweight/obesity had an increased risk of dieting and disordered weight control behaviors compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity, and, for some outcomes, compared to their White peers with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are a particularly vulnerable group for disordered eating.

Brief report: Feasibility of a mindfulness and self-compassion based mobile intervention for adolescents.

The aim of the study was to test the feasibility of a mindfulness and self-compassion based program for adolescents, to be delivered though mobile phones. Twenty racially and ethnically diverse US adolescents enrolled in a study to use the app for 30 days, after which they provided satisfaction data and participated in focus groups to describe their experiences and offer suggestions for improving the app. Usage data were also captured. Results indicated that participants used the app on the majority of days over the intervention period, reported finding it helpful for managing stress, and provided suggestions for substantive areas for improvement. These findings suggest that a mobile app may be a feasible way to disseminate a mindfulness and selfcompassion based program widely among adolescents.