The Ripple Effect of Body Positivity on Instagram

The body positivity movement on Instagram has helped many IG users improve their self-esteem and sidestep body image issues.

Studies show that consuming more body-positive content could benefit those who spend too much time on social media looking at idealized body images.

Unfortunately, Instagram and body image issues have started to go hand in hand.

There is also evidence to back this up.

One National Eating Disorders Association survey found that over 40% of participants say they routinely feel worse about their appearances after looking at photographs on Instagram edited with appearance-altering filters.

However, there is hope for those who struggle with body dysmorphia and low self-esteem after spending time scrolling through Instagram.

A body positivity movement is taking place on Instagram and other social media sites right now, causing a ripple effect that could change how people view themselves.

Understanding the Body Positivity Movement on Instagram

The body positivity movement has been happening in the U.S. for over half a century.

It started in the 1960s and initially featured activist events in places like New York City’s Central Park to protest the media’s portrayal of higher-weight people. This led to the formation of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) in 1969.

Since then, this movement has continuously evolved and even gone digital. Most recently, it began making major waves on social media platforms, including Instagram.

Studies have shown that the movement first emerged on Instagram in 2012.

This movement has helped challenge the unrealistic beauty standards established by many social media sites. It has also promoted self-acceptance among users by encouraging them to post selfies and take more pride in their bodies.

Today, finding body-positive content on Instagram is easier than ever before.

You can do it by searching for hashtags like #bodypositive, #bodypositivity, or #effyourbeautystandards.

You can also do it by following accounts like @bodyimagepositive, @beautyredefined, and @bodyimagemovement.

Analyzing the Benefits of Body-Positive Content on Instagram

It didn’t take long for the body positivity movement to take off on Instagram. Within its first decade on Instagram, the hashtag #bodypositive was used nearly 18 million times.

Millions of Instagram users have flooded the social media site with photographs and videos that challenge the idealized images previously portrayed on it.

This has resulted in a whole host of studies being done on the benefits of all the body-positive content suddenly being shared on social media. Many noticed a positive correlation between looking up this content on Instagram and body image.

One 2022 study, for example, found that looking at this type of content on Instagram led to people feeling more satisfied overall with their bodies.

A 2024 study also showed that people who spend time interacting with this kind of content on Instagram are less likely to engage in social comparisons and suffer from the mental health issues that often accompany them.

Counteracting the Negative Effects of Other Content on Instagram

The ripple effect of the body positivity movement on social media is palpable. One report after another has revealed that consuming body positivity content on Instagram and other sites helps people feel more confident about their bodies and show themselves more self-love.

However, there is still work to do in this movement, which counteracts the adverse effects of some other social media content.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid all of this content when using Instagram, and body image issues continue to impact those who consume it regularly.

Some studies suggest the most effective way to counteract this is to take social media breaks to avoid being inundated with idealized images on Instagram and other sites.

This 2024 study determined that taking a brief break for as little as just one week could work wonders for people’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

However, other studies, like this one from 2024, have proposed that people need to be more intentional about consuming more positive content while on social media to minimize the negative effects of other content.

Striking the right balance in which types of content you consume on Instagram might be enough to keep mental health issues at bay.

Contact Us If You’ve Noticed a Connection Between Using Instagram and Body Image Issues

Have you started to notice a connection between consuming content on Instagram and body image issues developing within your mind?

Call us at 347-718-2681 to learn more about how changing your approach to using Instagram and other social media platforms will improve your self-esteem.

FAQs About Instagram and Body Positivity

How Does Instagram Affect My Body Image?

Instagram may affect your body image significantly in some cases. Studies have shown that frequent exposure to idealized images on Instagram and other platforms may lead to an increase in dissatisfaction with the way you look and the subsequent development of mental health conditions.

Can I Use Instagram Without Developing Body Image Issues?

You can use Instagram without developing body image issues, but you will need to be intentional about which types of content you consume on the social media platform. For instance, spending more time searching for body-positive content may help improve self-esteem and self-worth rather than causing mental health issues to set in.

How Can I Minimize Instagram’s Harmful Effects?

You can minimize Instagram’s harmful effects by unfollowing any Instagram users who only post idealized content and following more who post body-positive content. You may also choose to spend less time on Instagram overall and pay closer attention to how you consume content on Instagram and body image issues that result from it.

Jill Lewis

Jill Lewis MA, LCSW, CGP, and current fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Jill brings all parts of herself to her practice. She’s authentic, genuine, attentive, attuned, and works to be perceptive in every interaction with her clients. She challenges and gently encourages her clients who are struggling but also willing to put the work in for a brighter future.