Body Image and Body Dysmorphia

New findings reveal that men who fixate on gaining muscle and struggle with inflexible thoughts about their body and exercise are more prone to disordered workout patterns, suggesting a need for interventions that build mental adaptability and resilience.

Girls as young as eight show a unique sensitivity to numbers representing their body weight, a new study finds. The results highlight early gender differences in attention and raise questions about how body awareness develops and affects girls’ perceptions later...

Researchers have identified increased availability of opioid receptors in the brains of women with anorexia nervosa. The findings suggest that the brain's reward system may function differently in those with the disorder, contributing to restrictive eating patterns.

Women who use dating apps are more likely to support cosmetic surgery—and this connection is even stronger among those who present themselves deceptively online, according to new research.

New research highlights how women’s emotional experiences during masturbation are linked to sexual satisfaction and body image.

New research highlights the psychological tradeoffs of dating app use among young adults. People with social appearance anxiety and rejection sensitivity report greater perceived benefits—but also show higher levels of problematic use.

TikTok’s popular fitness hashtags are flooded with idealized bodies, objectifying imagery, and questionable health advice, according to a recent study.

Hours spent on video calls have fueled a new form of self-criticism, known as Zoom dysmorphia. A study finds that students with higher self-efficacy are less likely to experience it.

Muscle dysmorphia risk in men is tied to vulnerable narcissism and perfectionism, according to new research. Perfectionism appears to be the key factor linking insecurity to this body image issue.

In adolescent girls with anorexia, increased somatomotor cortex activation to fearful faces after weight recovery suggests heightened anxiety-driven motor preparation.

Dating apps boast millions of users and billions in revenue. But a new study reveals a darker side: they may be linked to poorer body image and mental health.

Viewing body-positive social media content, especially images, led to improved body image outcomes compared to fitspiration content, according to a new study.

Individuals with a history of sex work reported more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, including a stronger drive for muscularity and life disruptions caused by it, but not greater dissatisfaction with their appearance.

A recent study reveals that using a slimming filter prompts individuals to make harmful comparisons between their real and filtered selves. This "social self-comparison" leads to negative outcomes such as increased body dissatisfaction and self-objectification.

A 21-year-old bodybuilder's chronic use of 2,4-dinitrophenol and anabolic steroids led to multi-organ failure and death, highlighting the dangers of unregulated performance enhancers and the psychological impact of muscle dysmorphia.