Diet Culture and Social Media Effects on the Body Image and Mental Health of Young Adult Women

Abstract

Body image issues and dangerous dieting trends are increasing in young women across the globe due to the widespread acceptance of the thin ideal. Social media has made it harder to avoid self-comparison behaviors between celebrities and even one's peers. Body dissatisfaction and dieting rates continue to rise as social media becomes more judgmental of those who do not possess a thinner body. Current research found that strong feelings of body dissatisfaction could potentially lead to depression, body anxiety, and disordered eating behaviors in young women. Those in non-Western societies are also being negatively affected by Western beauty standards, experiencing similar consequences. Ways to lessen the negative impact of social media are also discussed. Future research is needed in order to understand how these factors can impact other ethnicities and races.