Yahoo Lifestyle Study Says Instagram Is Bad For Body Image
Models and celebrities are often slammed for influencing unhealthy body image, but new research says social media may actually be to blame.
RELATED: Do you have Instagram envy?
According to a survey undertaken by US Glamour magazine, 64 percent of women said looking at photos of women on social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram is what made them feel worst about their bodies.
The reason being, says Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive, is because we identify most with other social media users.
"Celebrities, we all know, have a lot of help," Leive explained. "They have a whole pack of trainers and dietitians who help them feel good about their bodies. But really, when you're looking at women on social media, you're thinking, that's the girl next door. If she can do it, I ought to be able to do it."
Even more alarmingly, 54 percent of women of respondents between the ages of 19 to 40 said they felt "unhappy" with their bodies, and 80 percent responded that just looking in the mirror could make them feel bad.
The results link a culture obsessed with body image and the amount of likes one receives on social media, with Leive explaining that the average women has become a "likeaholic".
"Even accomplished women who know that they shouldn't care about these things find themselves going back to refresh to see how many people have liked their pictures," Leive said. "It's the going down the rabbit hole of Facebook and Instagram and the constant comparing."
The study also found that the more time a woman spends on social media, the worse she feels about her body.
So what's the answer? Aside from going cold turkey (because let's face it, who doesn't love Instagram?), Leive says it might be worth unfollowing those who are making you feel bad and limiting your time on social media.
RELATED:
Do you have Instagram envy?
