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Women’s Use of Social Media: What Is the Evidence About Their Impact on Weight Management and Body Image?

  • Psychological Issues (V Drapeau and V Ivezaj, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This review aims to summarize recent research on the effects of social media-delivered weight management interventions on weight loss and the impact of social media use on body image concerns in women and adolescent girls.

Recent Findings

Evidence supports the feasibility, but not the efficacy, of studies using single-component social media-delivered weight management interventions (i.e., including no other modes of intervention delivery) in women. Studies conducted in adolescent girls and women suggest that the impact of social media on body image outcomes is mostly detrimental, but is dependent on the context (e.g., exposure to idealized social media appearance images), peers’ feedback, and constructs, such as appearance comparison tendency.

Summary

More research is needed to conclude on the efficacy of social media-delivered interventions on both weight and body image outcomes and to understand how and when exposure to social media could promote effective weight management and also advocate positive body image in women.

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  1. Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods, School of Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

    Audrée-Anne Dumas & Sophie Desroches

  2. Université Laval, Pavillon des services, Office 2729-P, 2440 Hochelaga Boulevard, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada

    Sophie Desroches

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Dumas, AA., Desroches, S. Women’s Use of Social Media: What Is the Evidence About Their Impact on Weight Management and Body Image?. Curr Obes Rep 8, 18–32 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-019-0324-4

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