Chapter 2 - Body Image and Eating Disorders

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Leading on from the previous chapter, Chapter Two aims to investigate body image and eating disorders and how these can be affected by Instagram. Within this part of the essay, the researcher will examine the deception of Body Image on the app and the specific eating disorders consumers can develop and why, as well as how brands within the app can contribute to these factors. In addition, the researcher will also investigate the positive side of this topic such as the individuals on the photo-based app using their platform in an optimistic way to promote body positivity, rather than unrealistic body types and physical appearances.

According to mental health Start-up Sanctus, 62% of people feel inadequate when they compare themselves to other individuals online (Gil, 2018). Even though brands such as Pretty Little Thing use plus sized models, it is easy for consumers to compare themselves to slim models used on the website and their Instagram page. Negative thoughts about oneself, like this, can be detrimental. This is proven based on the rates of anxiety and depression which has increased by 70% over the past 25 years (Firestone, 2020). In addition to these mental health issues, eating disorders can also stem from Instagram due to an unrealistic view of ‘perfection’ promoted and showcased by numerous brands and influencers on the app. Some of the most common eating disorders are Bulimia, Anorexia and Body Dysmorphia, all allowing the individual to perceive themselves as a different size to how others see them and consume as little as possible. A common eating disorder that is prominent on Instagram is called Orthorexia Nervosa, which is essentially an obsession with eating in a healthy way (Turner & Lefevre, 2017). This trend stems from a term known as “#fitspiration” used on the app; this hashtag is used among fitness enthusiasts on Instagram to promote exercise and the consumption of healthy food (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2016). An individual who is often viewing posts related to this hashtag on the social media platform, could possibly end up developing Orthorexia Nervosa, because this portrays unrealistic body types, which is a risk for young individuals.

BULIMIA ANOREXIA BODY DYSMORPHIA

However, there are multiple brands working on their marketing campaigns to portray body image in a positive way on their Instagram feeds. For example, within the past year, Victoria’s Secret has hired plus sized models after seeing Rihanna’s more inclusive brand, Savage X Fenty take off in the fashion industry (Parker, 2020). Rihanna’s lingerie brand has gained an enormous Instagram following of 3.7 million to date (savagexfenty, 2020), all due to her inclusive and body positive marketing campaigns. Members of the public can relate more to a brand that invites everyone to celebrate all sizes, rather than one specific and unrealistic goal.

In addition, there are also several Instagram stars known as influencers, as well as body positivity activists, who also proceed down the same route with their feed. For example, Chessie King and Stephanie Yeboah, who constantly post images of their bodies and how they are proud of the way they look, which is extremely inspiring to other consumers on the app. Portraying such inclusivity helps people of all shapes and sizes feel comfortable in their own skin. These Instagram stars also form fanbases who come together as one and work as support networks, which can help improve mental health due to knowing you are not alone.

According to #StatusOfMind, 9 in 10 teenage girls state that they are unhappy with their own body (Firestone, Which is Worst for your Mental Health: Instagram, Facebook or YouTube?, 2020). Some argue that Instagram is a toxic platform where only one type of body is ‘the norm’ or the way that individuals ‘should’ look. While 68% of people are confessing to editing their photos and selfies (Peer, 2020). It is easy for consumers to believe that these individuals look the way they are portraying themselves on their page, when in fact, majority of the images are heavily edited, whether it be on their face or body. There are thousands of editing apps that are free and easily accessible. The number of these editing apps are constantly rising (Jennings-Edquist, 2020), such as FaceTune and Photoshop. However, they could have a negative impact on mental health because of the ‘fake’ way users are presenting themselves online. This allows members of the public to believe it is possible to look this ‘perfect’ while in reality, the images are edited and portraying unrealistic goals. This can progress into, and is also known as an ‘Insta Lie’, which is “an intentionally false representation of real life on social media” (Peer, 2020). However, Missguided have decided to take a new path and have chosen to no longer edit out stretch marks on their models, (Scott, 2017) which is extremely beneficial for gen Z consumers as they are viewing bodies in their natural form, allowing them to relate to the brand more. In a focus group directed by the researcher surrounding body image and mental health in regards to Instagram, it was a popular opinion that editing apps create a distorted view of what the human body should look like. In addition, it was a common view that influencers who use editing apps to alter the way they look online, creates unrealistic goals for their followers, which can all extremely affect mental health (See Appendix D).

However, editing apps allow individuals to feel more confident within their posts and allow the images on their feed to match and be aesthetically pleasing. This is beneficial for influencers because, as it is their job, the aesthetics of the feed is the main goal for their Instagram profiles. In addition, this can boost their self-esteem and add some positivity to their mental health, while taking the pressure off of them. For example, Sarah Ashcroft has stated on her social media platforms that she does in fact edit her photographs, allowing her to feel assured with her content (Ashcroft, 2021).

In addition, Instagram published that they were going to impose tighter restrictions on posts related to diet products and cosmetic surgery, by using age restrictions. This could be seen as a positive movement from Instagram and their management team, as they are attempting to lessen the impact on mental health, in regards to weight loss and detox products that are constantly being promoted on the app. Actor and body positivity campaigner Jameela Jamil, who has created two inclusive fashion collections in collaboration with Simply Be (Magazine, 2016), opposes the diet and detox industry. Jameela expresses her appreciation for this movement performed by Instagram by stating:

“This is a huge win for our ongoing fight against the diet/detox industry, Facebook and Instagram taking a stand to protect the physical and mental health of people online sends an important message out to the world” (Guardian, 2019).

In a focus group hosted by the researcher (considering body image and mental health in regards to Instagram) it was a common view that this was a positive movement for the app as it is protecting younger gen Z individuals from aspiring to idealistic ambitions. (See Appendix D). Also, one participant feels Instagram has made her want to enhance her breasts. This is because there are several individuals all over the app, including brands, who have had surgery, or just have a larger sized bust. In addition, another participant stated how she wanted to reduce the size of her breasts due to the perception of these body parts on the app. This suggests that people are never satisfied with the bodies that they have, and sometimes this can be triggered by Instagram (See Appendix D) and affect mental health as users are always chasing and wanting something they do not have, for example, the desire to have the body of a Victoria’s Secret model.

Overall, evidence suggests by influencers using editing apps, filters and showing a deceptive lifestyle, Instagram can be quite toxic and have a negative impact on gen Z mental health. However, these factors, when used on oneself, can boost self-esteem and allow individuals to feel more positive about the way they look. In addition, body positivity pages as well as brands conveying this type of content is a huge movement in today’s society.