Body positive images boost confidence and mood of young women, says study

YOUNG WOMEN who view bodypositive social media content can experience a boost in confidence and mood, researchers say.

In a study, 195 women aged between 18 and 30 were shown Instagram content aimed at challenging mainstream beauty ideals as well as “thin ideal” images. Those who viewed the body positive content, known as BoPo, experienced improvements in body satisfaction, body appreciation and positive mood.

These were not seen in groups who viewed “thin ideal” or neutral images, the study published in the journal New Media & Society found. The work was by Rachel Cohen, a PhD student at the University of Technology Sydney, supervised by Dr Amy Slater of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).

“To the best of our knowledge, the study is the first to demonstrate that viewing ‘body positive’ content on Instagram may improve positive mood, body satisfaction and body appreciation,” the researchers said.

“The results suggest that perhaps, as an initial step, simply encouraging women to follow more body positive accounts may help to counterbalance the many idealised messages typical of many women’s social media feeds.”

Researchers say body-positive content has become increasingly popular on social media platforms, particularly Instagram.

The researchers added: “The study demonstrates novel and promising initial findings regarding the effects of viewing ‘body positive’ content on Instagram on women’s mood and body image.

“They significantly extend previous research into ‘new’ media and body image.”