Body image issues are emerging as a major mental health concern in India, affecting teens, young adults, and even older populations. Societal pressure, social media, and unrealistic beauty standards are taking a toll on mental well-being. This video explores how body image affects mental health, warning signs, and ways to cope.

India: Body Image Is Now a Big Mental Health Issue

Spending just eight minutes on TikTok is enough for young women to question their own body image, according to a controlled study that highlighted the scourge of content harmful to youngsters on the video-sharing platform.

The study titled '#ForYou? the impact of pro-ana TikTok content on body image dissatisfaction and internalisation of societal beauty standards' was co-authored by Madison R Blackburn and Rachel C Hogg.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-what-is-angelman-syndrome-the-condition-that-colin-farrells-son-suffers-from-748624">What is Angelman Syndrome? The condition that Colin Farrell's son suffers from</a>

Researchers created two focus groups, one of which showed TikTok content on dieting, weight loss and exercise. This is&nbsp;broadly known as 'pro-ana' or pro-anorexia content which glorifies disordered eating practices.

The aim of the study was to find out the link between time spent on TikTok and disordered eating behaviours.

<h2>How the study was done</h2>

A group of 273 women in the 18–28 age group were divided into two groups. One group was given pro-anorexia content, while the other was given neutral content from TikTok.

Then the women were made to answer questionnaires to find out what they thought about their bodies after watching the content.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-will-you-buy-it-dolce--gabbana-launches-luxury-dog-perfume-at-this-whopping-price-748512">Will you buy it? Dolce &amp; Gabbana launches luxury dog perfume at this whopping price</a>

"Women exposed to pro-anorexia content displayed the greatest decrease in body image satisfaction and an increase in internalisation of societal beauty standards," said the study published in PLOS One journal. "Women exposed to neutral content also reported a decrease in body image satisfaction."

The study found that those categorised as high and extreme daily TikTok users reported greater average disordered eating behaviour than participants with low and moderate use.

Participants who used TikTok for over two hours per day "reported more disordered eating behaviours than less frequent users," the authors&nbsp;said but pointed out that this was not statistically significant.

The pro-ana videos had shown young content creators in the so-called 'fitspiration' category showing how they cut on their diets and give fitness, workout and food tips and advice. The hacks like juice cleanses for weight loss were included in the content.

<h2>What is content internalisation?</h2>

Besides having the biggest fall in body image satisfaction, those who watched pro-ana content also 'internalised' the beauty standards more.

While watching potentially harmful content does not necessarily lead to harm, it is the 'internalisation' of this content that is dangerous, according to the study. Internalisation happens when someone accepts and identifies with external beauty standards, it pointed out.

There is a multitude of habits and hacks being pushed on TikTok, like detoxing with juices, and clean or limited diets in the name of wellness, with hashtags like #GymTok and #FoodTok. Disorderly eating content included binge eating, laxative use or excessive exercise, said the study.

(With inputs from agencies)

Spending just eight minutes on TikTok is enough for young women to question their own body image, according to a controlled study that highlighted the scourge of content harmful to youngsters on the video-sharing platform.

Spending just eight minutes on TikTok is enough for young women to question their own body image, according to a controlled study that highlighted the scourge of content harmful to youngsters on the video-sharing platform. The study titled '#ForYou? the impact of pro-ana TikTok content on body image dissatisfaction and internalisation of societal beauty standards' was co-authored by Madison R Blackburn and Rachel C Hogg. Also Read | What is Angelman Syndrome? The condition that Colin Farrell's son suffers from Researchers created two focus groups, one of which showed TikTok content on dieting, weight loss and exercise. This is broadly known as 'pro-ana' or pro-anorexia content which glorifies disordered eating practices. The aim of the study was to find out the link between time spent on TikTok and disordered eating behaviours. How the study was done A group of 273 women in the 18–28 age group were divided into two groups. One group was given pro-anorexia content, while the other was given neutral content from TikTok. Then the women were made to answer questionnaires to find out what they thought about their bodies after watching the content. Also Read | Will you buy it? Dolce & Gabbana launches luxury dog perfume at this whopping price "Women exposed to pro-anorexia content displayed the greatest decrease in body image satisfaction and an increase in internalisation of societal beauty standards," said the study published in PLOS One journal. "Women exposed to neutral content also reported a decrease in body image satisfaction." The study found that those categorised as high and extreme daily TikTok users reported greater average disordered eating behaviour than participants with low and moderate use. Participants who used TikTok for over two hours per day "reported more disordered eating behaviours than less frequent users," the authors said but pointed out that this was not statistically significant. The pro-ana videos had shown young content creators in the so-called 'fitspiration' category showing how they cut on their diets and give fitness, workout and food tips and advice. The hacks like juice cleanses for weight loss were included in the content. What is content internalisation? Besides having the biggest fall in body image satisfaction, those who watched pro-ana content also 'internalised' the beauty standards more. While watching potentially harmful content does not necessarily lead to harm, it is the 'internalisation' of this content that is dangerous, according to the study. Internalisation happens when someone accepts and identifies with external beauty standards, it pointed out. There is a multitude of habits and hacks being pushed on TikTok, like detoxing with juices, and clean or limited diets in the name of wellness, with hashtags like #GymTok and #FoodTok. Disorderly eating content included binge eating, laxative use or excessive exercise, said the study. (With inputs from agencies)

Just 8 minutes on TikTok can lead to negative body image for young women: Study

Teenagers teased by parents about their weight are more likely to struggle with body image well in their adulthood, regardless of their weight, a new study by the University of Bristol reveals.&nbsp;

The research, published in Lancet Regional Health Europe, shows that pressure from family to lose weight during adolescence can have lasting consequences on the children.

Thirteen-year-olds who felt pressure from family members to shed pounds and endured weight-based teasing showed higher levels of internalised weight stigma when they turned 31, according to research by the University of Bristol.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-malaysians-every-north-indian-is-a-bengali-googles-former-md-explains-ethnicity-confusion-711785">North Indians are mistaken for Bengalis in THIS country. The simple reasoning dates back to British rule</a>

Internalised weight stigma also means when people believe negative stereotype about weight and apply them to themselves. This can make them feel unattractive, incompetent, or even worthless, regardless of their actual size. It affects people of all weights, not just those with obesity or who are underweight.

The internalised stigma can be a major contributor to eating disorders and an unhealthy obsession with thinness, as per the study.

These negative feelings are fueled by pressure from parents, families, bullies, and even the media, leading to "strong and long-lasting effects on adult psychological health."

More than 4,000 children from in and around Bristol who were first studied in the 1990s and are now 33 were part of the study.

Children in their 13 were asked about how often their parents had made a comment about their weight and how much they were eating that made them feel bad, to what extent family members and people at school teased them about their weight or body shape, and how much pressure they felt to lose weight from family, friends and people they dated.

The researchers reached out to the original group of 4,060 participants 18 years later. Now adults, they were asked a series of questions to determine their current feelings about their weight. These questions delved into their self-esteem and body image, with statements like "I hate myself because of my weight" and "I am less attractive than most other people because of my weight."

The analysis revealed a clear link, those who experienced negative weight comments from parents, pressure to lose weight from family, or felt bombarded by similar messages from the media during their teenage years, showed the strongest association with internalized weight stigma as adults. &nbsp;The researchers highlighted the long-term consequences of such experiences.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-mummies-conference-takes-bizarre-turn-after-ufologist-unveils-pregnant-alien-711844">'Alien mummies' conference takes bizarre turn after ufologist unveils 'pregnant' alien</a>

“The kids who get these comments from family members almost 20 years later have a more negative evaluation of themselves,” said Dr Amanda Hughes, a co-author of the report and a fellow at Bristol medical school’s department of population health science. “This is predicting a difference in people’s self-esteem and psychological health.”

She urged parents to “be really careful” when they talk to children about weight.

“This isn’t to say you shouldn’t be promoting healthy eating or saying exercise is a good thing, but it is about why you are making that case,” she said. “It’s about encouraging healthy eating practices for their own sake or because it makes you feel good. Don’t make it about ‘you need to be thin to be good’.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Teenagers teased by parents about their weight are more likely to struggle with body image well in their adulthood, regardless of their weight, a new study by the University of Bristol reveals.

Teenagers teased by parents about their weight are more likely to struggle with body image well in their adulthood, regardless of their weight, a new study by the University of Bristol reveals. The research, published in Lancet Regional Health Europe, shows that pressure from family to lose weight during adolescence can have lasting consequences on the children. Thirteen-year-olds who felt pressure from family members to shed pounds and endured weight-based teasing showed higher levels of internalised weight stigma when they turned 31, according to research by the University of Bristol. Also read: North Indians are mistaken for Bengalis in THIS country. The simple reasoning dates back to British rule Internalised weight stigma also means when people believe negative stereotype about weight and apply them to themselves. This can make them feel unattractive, incompetent, or even worthless, regardless of their actual size. It affects people of all weights, not just those with obesity or who are underweight. The internalised stigma can be a major contributor to eating disorders and an unhealthy obsession with thinness, as per the study. These negative feelings are fueled by pressure from parents, families, bullies, and even the media, leading to "strong and long-lasting effects on adult psychological health." More than 4,000 children from in and around Bristol who were first studied in the 1990s and are now 33 were part of the study. Children in their 13 were asked about how often their parents had made a comment about their weight and how much they were eating that made them feel bad, to what extent family members and people at school teased them about their weight or body shape, and how much pressure they felt to lose weight from family, friends and people they dated. The researchers reached out to the original group of 4,060 participants 18 years later. Now adults, they were asked a series of questions to determine their current feelings about their weight. These questions delved into their self-esteem and body image, with statements like "I hate myself because of my weight" and "I am less attractive than most other people because of my weight." The analysis revealed a clear link, those who experienced negative weight comments from parents, pressure to lose weight from family, or felt bombarded by similar messages from the media during their teenage years, showed the strongest association with internalized weight stigma as adults. The researchers highlighted the long-term consequences of such experiences. Also read: 'Alien mummies' conference takes bizarre turn after ufologist unveils 'pregnant' alien “The kids who get these comments from family members almost 20 years later have a more negative evaluation of themselves,” said Dr Amanda Hughes, a co-author of the report and a fellow at Bristol medical school’s department of population health science. “This is predicting a difference in people’s self-esteem and psychological health.” She urged parents to “be really careful” when they talk to children about weight. “This isn’t to say you shouldn’t be promoting healthy eating or saying exercise is a good thing, but it is about why you are making that case,” she said. “It’s about encouraging healthy eating practices for their own sake or because it makes you feel good. Don’t make it about ‘you need to be thin to be good’.” (With inputs from agencies)

Teasing kids about weight linked to long-term body image issues, study finds

Celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey recently revealed that she takes weight-loss medication to help manage her weight. Winfrey, who turns 70 next month, explained how she battled body-shaming and body-image issues in all the decades she has been in the public eye.

Gravitas | Oprah admits to using weight-loss drug

body-image

Body Image, News on Body Image, stories on Body Image, articles on Body Image, Body Image stories at Wion, Body Image news, Body Image latest news