Introduction

How can we promote a society that embraces acceptance, respect, and positive body image for all? In this episode Shannon and Professor Philippa Diedrichs explore the influence of media platforms. They highlight the need for inclusive resources within the fitness industry and encourage individuals to make mindful choices on social media. Professor Diedrichs emphasises the power of advocating for change by fostering positive body image, challenging societal norms, and reflecting on personal biases.

About The Guest

Professor Phillippa Diedrichs is a research psychologist with an international reputation for creating evidence-based strategies to improve body image in community, business, and policy settings. At the Centre for Appearance Research, she leads a team of researchers investigating psychosocial influences on body image and the development of digital and face-to-face body image interventions.

She is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and serves on the Editorial Board for Body Image: An International Journal of Research.

With a PhD in Health Psychology, she is passionate about working in partnership to create environments that accept diversity in appearance and support people to live free from the constraint of appearance concerns.

This Episode Is A Must Listen For:

• Individuals who are personally affected by a negative body image.
• Mental health professionals and educators who want to help address social change issues in their work with clients or students.
• Media and social media content creators can gain insights into the effects of their content and strategies for promoting more positive body image.
• Fitness professionals can learn how to create inclusive and supportive environments for individuals of all body types and sizes.
• Individuals and organisations advocating for diversity and equality can gain valuable perspectives and strategies for promoting inclusivity.

Key takeaways:

• Body image concerns disproportionately affect women, girls, and gender diverse individuals due to societal emphasis on appearance and beauty standards.
• Media and social media play a crucial role in shaping body image through social comparison and internalisation of appearance ideals. Understanding this influence can help develop strategies to mitigate negative effects and promote positive body image.
• Societal changes are necessary to address body image concerns, considering factors like gender, class, and social justice issues. This emphasises the importance of taking a holistic approach that tackles the underlying societal factors contributing to body image issues.
• Promoting health and intrinsic motivations for change can lead to better long-term results and improve psychological well-being. Shifting the focus away from appearance and weight loss, and towards holistic well-being, can have more positive and sustainable outcomes.
• Consumers have the power to advocate for the representation and content they want to see on social media. By curating their social media feeds and supporting brands that embrace diversity, individuals can contribute to a more inclusive media landscape and promote positive change.

Further Resources:

• You can find out more about Dr. Diedrichs here
• Body Image journal
• Dove global confidence report
• Dr Halliwell research
• How should we advertise on social media?
• What every health and fitness coach needs to know about body image

Listen to the full podcast interview and gain valuable insights needed to make a lasting impact on your own well-being and the world around you.