BACKGROUND: As social media platforms gain popularity, their usage is increasingly associated with cyberbullying and body shaming, causing devastating effects.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on Generation Z users\' body image satisfaction. More specifically, it examines the impact of TikTok on body image satisfaction among TikTok users aged between 17 years and 26 years in Indonesia.
METHODS: The methodology used mixed-method approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from 507 responses to a questionnaire and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews of 32 respondents and analyzed through content analysis.
RESULTS: This study reveals that upward appearance comparison is influenced by video-based activity and appearance motivation. Conversely, thin-ideal internalization is influenced by appearance motivation and social media literacy. Upward appearance comparisons and thin-ideal internalization comparisons detrimentally impact users\' body image satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for social media providers, regulators, and educators in their endeavors to establish a positive and healthy social media environment for users.

We assessed the bi-directional relationships between upward appearance comparisons on social media with body dissatisfaction (BD) and disordered eating (DE) in women\'s daily lives and the potential moderating effect of trait self-objectification on these relationships. Women (N = 315) completed a baseline measure of trait self-objectification, then reported momentary experiences of social media-based appearance comparisons (upward, lateral, downward), body satisfaction, and DE urges (restrict food intake, exercise, overeat) for seven days. We hypothesized that upward (relative to no) comparisons would predict lower body satisfaction and higher DE urges, while lateral and downward (relative to no) comparisons would predict higher body satisfaction and lower DE urges. We expected these relationships to be bi-directional and moderated by trait self-objectification. Multilevel modelling results revealed complex bi-directional relationships. Upward comparisons predicted lower body satisfaction and increased urges to restrict food intake, which in turn predicted increased upward comparisons. Unexpectedly, urges to restrict food intake predicted all comparison types. We observed somewhat unanticipated bi-directional relationships between lateral comparisons and exercise urges, and between downward comparisons and body satisfaction. Uni-directional relationships emerged between upward comparisons and the urge to overeat. Trait self-objectification moderated very few of these relationships. These findings support the non-uniform impact of appearance comparisons on body image and eating concerns and highlight the complexity of daily social media-body image dynamics. Future research using refined measures over extended periods is needed to elucidate these relationships further and inform targeted interventions.
This study examined how comparing oneself to others on social media relates to body satisfaction and disordered eating urges in women’s daily lives, and whether self-objectification influences these relationships. For seven days, 315 women reported their social media appearance comparisons, body satisfaction, and urges related to eating and exercise. Results revealed complex, bi-directional relationships. Upward comparisons (viewing others as more attractive) predicted lower body satisfaction and increased urges to restrict food intake, which in turn led to more upward comparisons. Unexpectedly, urges to restrict food intake predicted all types of comparisons. The study found some surprising bi-directional relationships between lateral comparisons and exercise urges, and between downward comparisons and body satisfaction. Self-objectification had limited moderating effects. These findings highlight the intricate dynamics between social media use and body image concerns, emphasizing the need for further research to inform targeted interventions.

Virtual Reality has significantly improved the understanding of body experience, through techniques such as Body Illusion. Body Illusion allows individuals to perceive an artificial body as their own, changing body perceptual and affective components. Prior research has predominantly focused on female participants, leaving the impact of Body Illusion on males less understood. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the nuanced bodily experiences of men in comparison to women. 40 participants (20 females and 20 males) were proposed with visuo-tactile synchronous and asynchronous Body Illusion to explore changes in body satisfaction and body size estimation across three critical areas: shoulders, hips, and waist. Results revealed significant initial disparities, with females displaying greater body dissatisfaction and a tendency to overestimate body size. After Body Illusion, females adjusted the hips perceived body size closer to that of the virtual body and reported increased body satisfaction independent of the condition. Conversely, males showed changes only in waist size estimation only after synchronous stimulation without significant shifts in body satisfaction. These results suggest a higher sensitivity of women to embodied experiences, potentially due to societal influences and a greater inclination towards self-objectification. These insights pave the way for creating more refined and effective interventions for body image issues, highlighting the importance of incorporating gender-specific considerations in VR-based prevention and therapeutical programs.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents. We aimed to investigate the association between body image and depressive symptoms, and how Body Mass Index (BMI) affects this.
METHODS: Survey data from 2017 with 9963 9th-grade Danish adolescents. Information from the survey about the exposure, body image, was divided into 3 categories: too fat, too thin, and adequate. Depressive symptoms, was measured with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC4). BMI was categorized as underweight, normal weight and overweight. We used logistic regression and examined for effect modification by sex and BMI and adjusted for self-esteem and bullying.
RESULTS: An association was found between body image and depressive symptoms, when adjusting for BMI, sex, self-esteem, and bullying. The association was strongest for adolescents feeling too fat compared with adolescents feeling adequate OR:1.61(1.45-1.78), for adolescents feeling to thin compared to adequate: OR:1.21 (1.06-1.37). No effect modification by either BMI or sex was found, but those who perceive their bodies in contrast to their reported BMI faced the highest odds of depressive symptoms, and the results were confounded by self-esteem and bullying, that reduced the estimates after adjusting.
CONCLUSIONS: This is a cross-sectional study with limited information regarding drop-out, with risk of selection bias.
CONCLUSIONS: We found an association between negative body image and depressive symptoms among Danish adolescents. This confirms previous studies and is a relevant aspect to adolescents\' mental health, especially the contrast between BMI and perceived body image, and the confounding by self-esteem and bulling, with potential for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Higher prevalence of disordered eating in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) culminates in higher levels of morbidity and mortality. In addition to validated questionnaires for diabetes distress, depression/anxiety symptoms and emotional well-being, the Diabetes Psychosocial Assessment Tool (DPAT) includes three questions about comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern (WSE), which were derived from literature and multidisciplinary team consensus. Recognising individuals with low comfort with WSE, is the first step towards identifying those who may be at risk of developing eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE: Observe comfort with WSE, in young adults with T1D, and its associations with demographic/clinical characteristics and psychological parameters.
METHODS: 276 young adults, aged 15-26, who attended routine clinical care at a Young Adult Diabetes Clinic, completed the DPAT. The WSE questions were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 indicating lowest comfort). Linear regression analysed differences in comfort with weight and eating pattern by demographic and psychological parameters.
RESULTS: 1 in 3 young adults (29%) reported low comfort with WSE (scores 1 or 2). In females, 40%, 41% and 35% had low comfort with weight, shape and eating patterns respectively, in comparison to males in whom it was 18.5%, 16% and 21.5%. Females reported lower comfort with weight and eating pattern (mean 2.9 and 3.0 respectively) than Males (mean 3.7 and 3.6 respectively), each p < 0.001. Lower comfort with weight (p < 0.001) and eating pattern (p = 0.001) was associated with higher body mass index (BMI). Young adults with low comfort with weight and eating pattern experienced elevated diabetes distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (each p < 0.001), also when adjusted for sex and BMI.
CONCLUSIONS: The study has shown that low comfort with WSE is common among young adults with T1D. Adding these questions into routine care, can allow for easy and early identification of low comfort, initiation of a therapeutic dialogue and implementation of focused management strategies.
There is a higher rate of disordered eating (DE) in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to their peers without diabetes. DE occurs on a spectrum from mildly distorted thoughts and behaviours regarding weight, shape and eating to thoughts and behaviours with medical and mental health consequences that do not meet formal diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Early screening for DE in T1D is not routinely performed and therefore often remains undetected. Due to the seriousness of the conditions, identification is key. The Diabetes Psychosocial Assessment Tool was developed to annually assess psychosocial well-being of young adults (≥ 16 years) with T1D and includes three questions about comfort with weight, shape and eating pattern (WSE). 1 in 3 young adults with T1D reported low comfort with WSE. Lower comfort with weight and eating pattern was associated with females and with higher body mass index. There was a strong relationship between low comfort with weight and eating pattern and diabetes distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms, after adjusting for sex and body mass index. Hence, inclusion of the WSE questions is valuable for early identification of young adults with T1D who may be at risk for an eating disorder.

BACKGROUND: Body image perception can significantly influence various aspects of adolescent lives. The study analyzed the relationship between body image satisfaction and sports participation in adolescents, examining various factors that contribute to body image concerns and their implications for sports engagement.
METHODS: A total of 237 schoolchildren were recruited from lower secondary Italian schools. Anthropometric characteristics were measured directly. Assessment of body image perception was performed using Body Silhouette Charts for preadolescent children. The Italian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents questionnaire was administered to assess physical activity (PA) levels at school and during leisure time in the last 7 days. Analysis of variance was used to test differences in PA levels, while multiple regression models were carried out to assess possible predictors of body dissatisfaction.
RESULTS: In total, 42.6% of children were not satisfied with their figure and 23.2% were very dissatisfied; among them, the vast majority would have liked to be thinner. The dissatisfaction and satisfaction were similar in boys and girls. The frequency of satisfaction with one\'s body image was higher in children who practiced extracurricular sports compared to those who did not. The percentage of dissatisfaction with one\'s body image was similar in the two groups, but the frequency of children being very dissatisfied was double in the group that does not practice extracurricular sport (31.2% vs. 17.7%). Body dissatisfaction increases with increasing body mass index in both genders but decreases in children involved in extracurricular sports.
CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging teenagers to engage in regular physical activity should be a key component of therapies supporting positive body image. This study found a relationship between extracurricular sports and body image satisfaction, suggesting that physical activity protects teenagers\' body image satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: In France, miscarriage affects nearly 200,000 women every year. This life event may generate negative effects on the mother-child relationship and the mother\'s mental health in the following pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of body satisfaction, partner support, resilience and previous experience of a miscarriage on prenatal attachment in pregnant women.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Women answered an online questionnaire in the period between November 2022 to April 2023.
METHODS: 267 French pregnant women who had previously experienced a miscarriage were recruited for this study.
METHODS: Study outcomes included prenatal attachment, resilience, partner support, history of previous pregnancies and miscarriages, the current pregnancy, and questions relating to body experience.
RESULTS: Participants who reported a high investment in the current pregnancy, high partner support and a positive image of their body had higher levels of prenatal attachment. The experience of miscarriage also seems to influence prenatal attachment: pregnancy investment at the time of miscarriage had a positive influence, while medical experience had no significant impact. While the global resilience score was not related to prenatal attachment, sense of control was positively linked to prenatal attachment.
CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of considering miscarriage as a perinatal loss with potential for long-lasting impact on women, which deserves particular attention from professionals. Enhancing partner support and helping women build a positive image of their pregnant body can also have a role in fostering prenatal attachment to the foetus.

BACKGROUND: Body image is the mental representation of the body and can be influenced by cognitive, biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental factors. University students often encounter challenges related to it.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examined interventions aimed at holistically developing a positive body image within this population.
METHODS: The PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO method were employed to identify, select, assess, and synthesize studies. The consulted databases included Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, with inclusion criteria targeting body image interventions for university students aged 18 to 39. Study quality was evaluated using the QATSDD tool.
RESULTS: Twenty-one relevant studies were identified, primarily from the United States, mostly employing quantitative methods, with a focus on female participants. Various intervention strategies were utilized, including cognitive-behavioral approaches, media literacy, and physical/resistance training, with a growing use of technology like mobile applications. The majority of studies reported effective outcomes, such as reduced body dissatisfaction and increased self-esteem following interventions. Nevertheless, literature gaps were identified, such as the scarcity of formative interventions and limited use of qualitative approaches.
CONCLUSIONS: While technology in interventions offers promising opportunities, careful assessments and judicious selection of evaluation instruments are fundamental for reliable results. Future research should focus on addressing identified gaps, such as exploring more formative interventions and incorporating qualitative methodologies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of body image interventions among university students.

Both self-concept, the evaluation of who you are, and the physical body undergo changes throughout adolescence. These two processes might affect the development of body image, a complex construct that comprises one\'s thoughts, feelings, and perception of one\'s body. This study aims to better understand the development of body image in relation to self-concept development and its neural correlates. Adolescents (aged 11-24) from the longitudinal Leiden Self-Concept study were followed for three consecutive years (NT1 = 160, NT2 = 151, and NT3 = 144). Their body image was measured using a figure rating scale and body dissatisfaction questionnaire. Body estimation was calculated based on figure ratings relative to their actual body mass index (BMI). Additionally, participants evaluated their physical appearance traits in an functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task. Results revealed that body estimation and body dissatisfaction increased with age. Heightened inferior parietal lobe (IPL) activation during physical self-evaluation was associated with lower body estimation, meaning that the neural network involved in thinking about one\'s physical traits is more active for individuals who perceive themselves as larger than they are. IPL activity showed continued development during adolescence, suggesting an interaction between neural development and body perception. These findings highlight the complex interplay between affective, perceptual, and biological factors in shaping body image.

BACKGROUND: Self-body satisfaction is considered a psychological factor for exercise dependence (EXD). However, the potential neuropsychological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of white matter microstructure in the association between body satisfaction and EXD.
METHODS: Prospective.
METHODS: One hundred eight regular exercisers (age 22.11 ± 2.62 years; 58 female).
UNASSIGNED: 3.0 Tesla; diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging with 30 directions.
RESULTS: The Body Shape Satisfaction (BSS) and Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS); whole-brain tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and correlational tractography analyses; average fractional anisotropy (FA) and quantitative anisotropy (QA) values of obtained tracts.
METHODS: The whole-brain regression model, mediation analysis, and simple slope analysis. P values <0.05 were defined as statistically significant.
RESULTS: The BSS and EDS scores were 37.33 ± 6.32 and 68.22 ± 13.88, respectively. TBSS showed negative correlations between EDS and FA values in the bilateral corticospinal tract (CST, r = -0.41), right cingulum (r = -0.41), and left superior thalamic radiation (STR, r = -0.50). Correlational tractography showed negative associations between EDS and QA values of the left inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (r = -0.35), STR (r = -0.42), CST (r = -0.31), and right cingulum (r = -0.28). The FA values, rather than QA values, mediated the BSS-EDS association (indirect effects = 0.30). The BSS was significantly associated with the EDS score at both low (β = 1.02) and high (β = 0.43) levels of FA value, while the association was significant only at the high level of QA value (β = 1.26).
CONCLUSIONS: EXD was correlated with white matter in frontal-subcortical and sensorimotor networks, and these tracts mediated the body satisfaction-EXD association. White matter microstructure could be a promising neural signature for understanding the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of EXD.
METHODS: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.