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Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD Dec 2022Fitspiration (also known as "fitspo") aims to inspire individuals to exercise and have healthy habits, but emerging research indicates that exposure to it can have a... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Fitspiration (also known as "fitspo") aims to inspire individuals to exercise and have healthy habits, but emerging research indicates that exposure to it can have a negative impact on body image. This study aims to analyze the relationship between individuals' exposure to fitspiration content and body image measures or associated variables (e.g., appearance comparison).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed papers published in English between 2000 and August 2022 was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar, based on the PICOS model. To be included, studies had to analyze the relationship between exposure to fitspiration content (I) and body image or associated variables (O) in adolescents and adults (P). Study methodological quality was assessed using an adaptation of the EPHPP Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Outcome data were synthesized narratively and by vote counting.
RESULTS
Twenty articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. Nineteen studies analyzed the relationship between fitspiration and body image, twelve analyzed the association between exposure to fitspiration and physical appearance comparison tendencies, and nine analyzed the association between fitspiration content and mood. One study analyzed the association between frequency of viewing fitspiration content and motives for exercise. Results showed that exposure to "fitspiration" increased individuals' body dissatisfaction, physical appearance comparisons, and negative mood, especially in younger populations.
CONCLUSIONS
Fitspiration has been seen as a new and prolific digital trend, considered beneficial for health. However, our results showed that fitspo is associated with negative body image, especially in younger populations that are more exposed to this content. Most of the studies were conducted in females and young age participants, which limits the extrapolation of results by gender and age. Future studies are needed to confirm and extend these findings.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 1, Systematic Review.
Topics: Adult; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Body Image; Social Media; Exercise; Body Dissatisfaction; Physical Appearance, Body
PubMed: 36401082
DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01505-4 -
Body Image Jun 2022We examined how gender, body mass, race, age, and sexual orientation were linked to appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, and body image-related quality of...
We examined how gender, body mass, race, age, and sexual orientation were linked to appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, and body image-related quality of life among 11,620 adults recruited via Mechanical Turk. Men were less likely than women to report low appearance evaluation, high overweight preoccupation, negative effects of body image on their quality of life, being on a weight-loss diet, and trying to lose weight with crash diets/fasting. Racial differences were generally small, but greater appearance evaluation was reported by Black men versus other groups and Black women versus White women. Across all measures, gay and bisexual men reported poorer body image than heterosexual men, with only small effect sizes observed for sexual orientation differences among women. Body mass, but not age, was strongly associated with body image. The prevalence of poor body image highlights the need for interventions. On the positive side, half of men and women reported high appearance evaluation. Examination of this group could identify factors promoting positive body image.
Topics: Adult; Body Image; Female; Heterosexuality; Humans; Male; Overweight; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 35220024
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.011 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Pregnancy is a remarkable time and generates several changes in women in a short period. Body image is understood as the mental representation of the body itself, and,... (Review)
Review
Pregnancy is a remarkable time and generates several changes in women in a short period. Body image is understood as the mental representation of the body itself, and, although bodily changes are considered healthy, they can impact pregnant women's body image. Problems related to body image during pregnancy can affect the health of the mother and fetus; thus, it is essential for health professionals to detect potential disorders as soon as possible. The objective of this systematic review was to identify instruments for assessing body image in pregnant women, highlighting their main characteristics. To this end, we applied the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to searches in the EMBASE, PubMed, and American Psychological Association databases from 5 January to 10 August 2021. We included studies on adult pregnant women without comorbidities in the validation and adaptation of (sub)scales that analyze components of body image. We excluded studies that considered nonpregnant, adolescent, postpartum, and/or clinical populations, as well as smoking/drug use studies that were not validation studies or did not assess any aspect of body image. We investigated the quality of the studies using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs. In all, we examined 13 studies. The results point to a growing concern over body image during pregnancy, as there has been an increase in the number of validation and adaptation studies involving scales for different cultures that scrutinize different constructs. The findings suggest that the listed instruments be used in future research.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Pregnant Women; Body Image; Postpartum Period; Mothers
PubMed: 36767624
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032258 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Apr 2021The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of body image distress among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment and to examine its...
PURPOSE
The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of body image distress among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment and to examine its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), HNC symptoms, sexuality, self-compassion, and psychological distress. Second, we aim to explore daily life experiences of HNC patients regarding body image.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey among HNC patients investigated the prevalence of body image distress based on the Body Image Scale. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to study associations with sociodemographic and clinical factors, HRQOL (EORTC QLQ-C30), HNC symptoms (QLQ-HN43), sexuality (FSFI-6; IIEF-5), self-compassion (SCS-SF), and psychological distress (HADS). Qualitative data from a body image writing intervention was used to explore experiences in daily life related to body image.
RESULTS
Body image distress was prevalent in 13-20% (depending on cut-off scores) of 233 HNC patients. Symptoms of depression (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), problems with social contact (p = 0.001), problems with wound healing (p = 0.013), and larger extent of surgery (p = 0.014) were associated with having body image distress. This model explained 67% of variance. Writing interventions of 40 HNC patients showed that negative body image experiences were related to appearance and function, with social functioning problems described most often.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of body image distress in HNC patients, using different cut-off scores, is 13-20%. Younger patients, patients after extensive surgery, and patients who had wound healing problems are most at risk. There is a significant association between body image distress and depressive symptoms and social functioning.
Topics: Aged; Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32885315
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05725-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023During adolescence, many individuals with gender incongruence (GI) experience distress related to body dissatisfaction. This study aims to describe the body...
During adolescence, many individuals with gender incongruence (GI) experience distress related to body dissatisfaction. This study aims to describe the body (dis)satisfaction of Dutch adolescents referred for GI and to describe the influence of body image on their psychological functioning. Self-report measures on body satisfaction (Body Image Scale) and psychological functioning (Youth Self-Report) were obtained from 787 adolescents (aged 10-18) who were referred to the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between 1996 and 2016. First, a general description of body satisfaction in adolescents with GI was developed. Secondly, multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association between body image and psychological functioning, both for total problems and for internalizing and externalizing problems separately. Third, regression analyses are repeated for body area subscales. Adolescents with GI report the greatest dissatisfaction with the genital area, regardless of birth-assigned sex. For all other body areas, there were birth-assigned sex differences in satisfaction. The analyses showed that body satisfaction was significantly related to total psychological problems and both internalizing and externalizing problems. Greater body dissatisfaction is significantly associated with worse psychological functioning in adolescents with GI. Clinicians should monitor the body image of adolescents with GI over time, especially during puberty and medical interventions.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adolescent; Female; Body Image; Gender Dysphoria; Sex Characteristics; Puberty; Emotions
PubMed: 36834059
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043349 -
PloS One 2023To assess secular trends in body image dissatisfaction and associated factors among adolescents over a 10-year period (2007-2017/2018).
OBJECTIVE
To assess secular trends in body image dissatisfaction and associated factors among adolescents over a 10-year period (2007-2017/2018).
METHODS
The sample included 1,479 (2007, n = 531; 2017/2018, n = 948) high school adolescents of both sexes, aged 14 to 18 years, of schools in a city in southern Brazil, in 2007 and 2017/2018. Data were collected on sex, age, physical activity (IPAQ, short form), anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds), and body image dissatisfaction (figure rating scale). The variables were compared with Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The associations between sex and other variables were examined with chi-square test, and the factors associated with body image were identified with multinomial logistic regression.
RESULTS
Most adolescents were dissatisfied with their body image in 2007 (65,2%) and 2017/2018 (71,1%). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction increased by 9.2% over the 10-year period, particularly dissatisfaction with thinness (21.3%). After stratification by sex, in 2017/2018 sample, dissatisfaction with overweight was 46.1% greater in boys, and dissatisfaction with thinness was 66.9% greater in girls. Factors found to be significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction were physical activity level, and body adiposity.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a secular trend toward increased body image dissatisfaction in both sexes. Future efforts should go beyond scientific production, in public and private environments aimed at increasing awareness of health issues related to body care in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Body Dissatisfaction; Thinness; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Body Image
PubMed: 36656894
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280520 -
The International Journal of Eating... Jun 2018Objectification theory posits that self-objectification increases risk for disordered eating. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Objectification theory posits that self-objectification increases risk for disordered eating.
METHOD
The current study sought to examine the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating using meta-analytic techniques.
RESULTS
Data from 53 cross-sectional studies (73 effect sizes) revealed a significant moderate positive overall effect (r = .39), which was moderated by gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and measurement of self-objectification. Specifically, larger effect sizes were associated with female samples and the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale. Effect sizes were smaller among heterosexual men and African American samples. Age, body mass index, country of origin, measurement of disordered eating, sample type and publication type were not significant moderators.
DISCUSSION
Overall, results from the first meta-analysis to examine the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating provide support for one of the major tenets of objectification theory and suggest that self-objectification may be a meaningful target in eating disorder interventions, though further work is needed to establish temporal and causal relationships. Findings highlight current gaps in the literature (e.g., limited representation of males, and ethnic and sexual minorities) with implications for guiding future research.
Topics: Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Male
PubMed: 29517805
DOI: 10.1002/eat.22854 -
Indian Pediatrics Dec 2017To evaluate association of body mass index with perception and attitude towards bodyweight, shape and body image among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate association of body mass index with perception and attitude towards bodyweight, shape and body image among adolescents.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was done on 1811 adolescents. Attitude towards body image was assessed by using a self-administered Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Perceived body shape was measured using the Stunkard scale.
RESULTS
Adolescents showed significant difference (P<0.005) in perceptions and behaviors related to appearance, fitness, health, body areas and weight across various body mass index and socioeconomic categories. Girls articulated significantly higher (P<0.005) body dissatisfaction than boys.
CONCLUSION
Attitudes and perceptions towards body image differ with sex, body mass index and socioeconomic class.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India; Male; Psychology, Adolescent
PubMed: 28849771
DOI: 10.1007/s13312-017-1205-0 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Mar 2017Background: The difference in the perception between the perceived silhouette and the desired silhouette has been defined as body image dissatisfaction (BID). Objective:... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Background: The difference in the perception between the perceived silhouette and the desired silhouette has been defined as body image dissatisfaction (BID). Objective: To review the type of methods for measuring BID, the frequency of BID among children and adolescents. Method: We searched studies through electronic databases (PubMed, Scielo and EBSCOhost), from cross-sectional studies published in English or Spanish. Eligible studies assessing BID in children and adolescents published in Spanish and English, from April 2010 to April 2015. Age, sex, weight and method or scale used to evaluate the BID and the self- perception of body weight were assessed. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and included children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. Nine types of measurement methods of BID were found. In most of the studies, temporal stability and validity test were performed. In BID studies where frequency was reported, ranged from 44% to 83% for overweight or obese and 1.7% a 37% for underweight. In some studies, BID was associated with age and was more frequent among girls. BID was also present in thin boys. Conclusion: BID was more frequent among girls and was positively associated with BMI. Despite the variety of methods used, the results are consistent.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Personal Satisfaction; Self Concept
PubMed: 28421808
DOI: 10.20960/nh.455 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Jun 2015Maternal depression increases risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, and recent evidence suggests that body image may play an important role in depression. This systematic... (Review)
Review
Maternal depression increases risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, and recent evidence suggests that body image may play an important role in depression. This systematic review identifies studies of body image and perinatal depression with the goal of elucidating the complex role that body image plays in prenatal and postpartum depression, improving measurement, and informing next steps in research. We conducted a literature search of the PubMed database (1996-2014) for English language studies of (1) depression, (2) body image, and (3) pregnancy or postpartum. In total, 19 studies matched these criteria. Cross-sectional studies consistently found a positive association between body image dissatisfaction and perinatal depression. Prospective cohort studies found that body image dissatisfaction predicted incident prenatal and postpartum depression; findings were consistent across different aspects of body image and various pregnancy and postpartum time periods. Prospective studies that examined the reverse association found that depression influenced the onset of some aspects of body image dissatisfaction during pregnancy, but few evaluated the postpartum onset of body image dissatisfaction. The majority of studies found that body image dissatisfaction is consistently but weakly associated with the onset of prenatal and postpartum depression. Findings were less consistent for the association between perinatal depression and subsequent body image dissatisfaction. While published studies provide a foundation for understanding these issues, methodologically rigorous studies that capture the perinatal variation in depression and body image via instruments validated in pregnant women, consistently adjust for important confounders, and include ethnically diverse populations will further elucidate this association.
Topics: Adult; Body Image; Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Depressive Disorder; Emotions; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Self Concept
PubMed: 25895137
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-015-0525-0