Social Media Leaves Self-Image Starving
Editing and uploading those flattering selfies in the hopes of appearing your best actually leaves you feeling worse and increases the risk of an eating disorder, Florida State University researchers have found.
Clinical psychology doctoral candidate Madeline Wick and Professor of Psychology Dr. Pamela Keel studied 80 college students' responses to uploading photos of themselves to Instagram, the dominant photo sharing platform.
The study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, reveals a "consistent and direct" link between posting photos on Instagram and negative thoughts about weight and shape, urges to exercise and restrict food intake and increased levels of anxiety.
"Body image concerns are one of the most potent risk factors for the development of eating disorders," said Keel, a distinguished research professor in FSU's Department of Psychology.