#Take idealized bodies out of the picture: A scoping review of social media content aiming to protect and promote positive body image
Abstract
Much evidence has highlighted detrimental effects of social media on body image, and attention has turned towards identifying content that could support and promote positive body image. This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of the emerging evidence focused on social media content that might support positive body image. A total of n = 35 studies (21 experimental) examining social media were identified along with n = 11 studies not specifically focusing on social media but with clear implications. Overall, findings suggest that images that do not portray individuals are most helpful for body image, as well as those portraying appearances diverging from appearance ideals. Our review also identifies types of social media content that have so far not been found to protect body image, and those not sufficiently evaluated. Regarding textual captions and comments, the most promising avenue involves highlighting the contrived and unrealistic nature of social media content. However, empirical data are limited and not robust. Body acceptance-related statements have so far not been found to be helpful for body image, and findings regarding the usefulness of using social marketing strategies (such as hashtags) to identify content that may be more realistic is nascent and conflicted.
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A recent review of studies of body-positive media found that non-appearance-focused media, or content that does not contain an image of an individual whatsoever, may be most effective for supporting positive body image.
“A recent review of studies of body-positive media found that non-appearance-focused media, or content that does not contain an image of an individual whatsoever, may be most effective for supporting positive body image (Rodgers et al., 2021).”
From The Perfect Storm: A Developmental-Sociocultural Framework for the Role of Social Media in Adolescent Girls' Body Image Concerns and Mental Health. (2022) · cites this paper as Rodgers et al., 2021
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Non-Sexualized Images and Body-Neutral Messaging Foster Body Positivity Online
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Self-citationExperimental research on non-idealized models: A systematic literature review
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“…activity on social media that was centered on idealized content, using social media encompasses various body image-related experiences, such as receiving positive comments that encourage body acceptance and engaging with body positivity content that challenges beauty ideals (Rodgers et al., 2021).”
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Social Media Use, Body Image Concerns, and Disordered Eating Among Adolescents
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- Authors
- Rodgers, R. F., Paxton, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H.
- Affiliations
- Northeastern University (US)
- La Trobe University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Rodgers, Rachel F.
- Venue
- Body Image
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-09
- Volume
- 38
- Pages
- 10-36
- ISSN
- 1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3145264306
- Cited by
- 101
- References
- 100
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 2.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Body Image (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Keywords
- social media content, positive body image, appearance ideals, body acceptance, social marketing, hashtags
- MeSH terms
- Body Image, Humans, Social Media
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