Written by Sarah Clyatt | Reviewed by Fit with Food Dietitians

Everyone has seen images on social media of celebrities, their peers, or just random people that lead to jealousy, whether it be a lavish vacation, fancy restaurant, or multi-million dollar home; however, the most common envy-triggering posts have been those showcasing a user’s appearance. As the age someone makes their first Instagram or TikTok account lowers from teens, to tweens, to children, users are inherently more impressionable, and scientists are realizing envy is not the only thing social media can trigger, as there is a spike in poor body image and eating disorders, right alongside the increase of social media usage and importance through the years (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). Social media has a negative effect on self image by setting unrealistic expectations about users’ physical appearance, diet, and fitness.

Over the course of the 2023-2024 school year, over 20 sources have been used to identify common trends on social media that emphasize an unrealistic body type. Many trends such as “thinspo” have blown up on social media in previous years, getting so extreme to the point where it even promotes and glamorizes eating disorders.

Another way social media can push harmful body image is through fad diets, which are often promoted by social media influencers, regardless of if they work or are even safe. This can cause users to fall into unhealthy eating habits very quickly. One study used was the analysis of the connection between adolescents, specifically women/girls, and social media; they found that younger groups are confirmed to be the most heavily victimized by body dissatisfaction, heavily stemming from the not-scientifically backed diet culture often seen online (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016).

Fad fitness is another glorified facade on social media that many users fall victim to, when an influencer promotes a specific work-out plan that can be excessive and dangerous, both physically and mentally. The trend “Fitspiration,” is a new found social media fad that shows off physical changes attributed to lifestyle alterations involving diet and exercise (Samson & Zaitsoff, 2023). Despite its intended purpose, to support and promote healthy physical activity and working out, fitspiration imagery predominantly promotes a singular idealized body type along with messages endorsing restrained eating habits.

The emphasis on physical appearance, diet, and fitness that has been created by social media is extremely harmful to users’ body image and contributes to poor body image across many of its users. By acknowledging the harmful ideals and trends social media pushes onto its young users, such as strenuous workout plans, dangerously low-calorie diet plans, and the “ideal” influencer body. Society can then begin to combat the harmful agenda pushed through online platforms by promoting more body-positive and diverse content, and one day the problem can be removed entirely.