Body Image and Body Dysmorphia

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.

Sexualized self-presentation is common on mobile dating apps, particularly through visual cues like facial expressions and revealing clothing, with women and non-heterosexual users engaging more in this behavior.

Postpartum self-objectification harms women’s well-being, increasing body shame, depression, and anxiety. Self-compassion helps reduce these negative effects, boosting self-esteem and life satisfaction.

Researchers found that while women's stress related to competition over social status and male attention decreases with age, it remains a significant predictor of disordered eating even in postmenopausal women.

Appearance-related cyberbullying affects 62% of adolescent girls, leading to body dissatisfaction, increased eating disorder symptoms, and a stronger desire to alter appearance through dieting, self-presentation changes, or cosmetic procedures.

A recent study found that jaw surgery increased patients' sensitivity to emotional cues in their environment, suggesting physical changes to facial appearance can enhance emotional responsiveness and positively influence cognitive function.