Undoubtedly, celebrity influence on body image is real and may even be defined as toxic. Over decades of change, what is considered the “ideal body” has altered throughout the generations. Today, we see most well-known influencers promoting their flat stomachs, small thighs, and tiny waists on social media platforms. How does this affect our current generation’s mental health and how they view themselves?
How Celebrities Affect Body Image
The idealization of celebrities in modern society raises ongoing issues. Airbrushed photos, cropping or distorting the body to look a certain way, and posting about unhealthy detox diets that can harm an individual is not promoting a healthy lifestyle. Facetune and Photoshop are the favorite apps of many influencers. Similarly, there have been numerous times when famous celebrities have been called out on social media for lying to their followers about their body image.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, alongside Tik-Tok. Many young and impressionable adults and teenagers use the app to follow famous Instagrammers and influencers. The only bad photos of celebrities are the ones where fans or “haters” call them out for their lies.
Most children own a smartphone by the age of 10, which means they witness this behavior and body image pressure at a young age. Establishing confidence and learning to love yourself, flaws and all, is extremely difficult when a person is comparing themselves to influencers with millions of followers.
Social Media’s Effect on Body Image
Since celebrity influence on body image is immense, social media’s impact on body image as a whole should be regularly discussed since it plays a significant role in youth and character development. It’s essential to learn ways to prevent body image issues. Here are a few ways:
- Don’t bad talk your body
- Set goals for yourself
- Unfollow accounts that are trying to sell you detox products
- Do more research on influencers before following their account
- Don’t forget to disconnect from social media every once in a while
- Create a support system to positively communicate and express yourself
- Follow accounts that promote healthy living through natural substances like good food
If you find yourself in a constant negative headspace or attacked by unwanted thoughts (especially when looking at yourself in the mirror,) then you may want to seek treatment for body dysmorphic disorder. People who are suffering from lack of confidence, excessive grooming, obsessiveness, or over-stressing about their image, may have this particular disorder. Often, this disorder can lead to different levels of eating disorders such as binge eating and can lead to needing bulimia nervosa treatment.
Body Image Care at Our Philadelphia Eating Disorder Clinic
If you are finding yourself spending most of the hours in the day on social media and comparing yourself to famous influencers, you may need to express your body image concerns with a professional. In many instances, people will form an eating disorder due to the pressure formulated by society on body image. At Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia, we offer a range of treatments like a binge eating disorder treatment program to help individuals get back on track, eat a nutritious diet, and live life to the fullest.
Speak to a specialist at Banyan Philadelphia today by calling 888-280-4763 and asking about all our eating disorder treatment services to get started today!
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder Awareness Day
