It can sometimes be hard to decipher between what is real and what has been digitally altered on social media. Knowing how these platforms are becoming increasingly concerning for young women especially, it is no wonder there is more awareness around the impact of social media on mental health, and how damaging it can be.
While not every aspect of social media is harmful or bad, we unfortunately live in an age where diet trends and fitness fads become far more widespread thanks to social media being able to spread the messages and visuals at lightning speed, compounding the confusion among young users who are already in a stage of life where body image issues are common.
Thankfully, there is also growing awareness about the impact of digital trends such as filters, diet fads (Ozempic, anyone?!) and influencer sponsored content vs authentic content. And we have professionals such as Dr. Charlotte H. Markey, a professor of psychology and chair of the Health Sciences Department at Rutgers University (Camden) to thank for the ability to decipher between what is real, what is not, and how to navigate through the onslaught of potentially harmful messages.
For over two decades and in multiple books, Dr. Charlotte H. Markey, Ph.D., has worked tirelessly to support adolescentsโ body imageโand health in general. In her new book, โADULTISH: The Body Image Book for Lifeโ (Cambridge University Press, August 2024), she brings her expertise and empathetic sensibility to a no-less important demographic: young adults. Research shows this age groupโwhich has come of age amid Facetuned photos, viral makeup tutorials, misleading online nutritional advice, and a pandemicโstruggles deeply with developing a positive relationship with their bodies as they leave home and begin a more independent life.ย ย
In ADULTISH, Dr. Markey provides evidence-based guidance on everything from social media and sex to mental health and nutrition. The book, written in an authoritative but non-judgmental voice, features relatable personal stories, common questions around each topic, and research-backed responses to widespread myths.
For young adults inundated with a barrage of conflicting messages and influencer advice, ADULTISH is a return to reason and a straightforward guide to creating a healthy relationship with oneโs mind and body.
Wanting to combat the negativity in these social media trends and be a platform that offers helpful guidance for young adults in this real, we had the opportunity to dive into the book with Dr. Markey, asking her about approaches young adults can take to fight back against the pandemic-driven mental health crisis, ways young adults can accept, respect, and take care of their bodies in an age of weight loss medications like Ozempic, and how trends such as the self-love movement are becoming a powerful antidote to the negativity we encounter online every day.
What initially sparked the idea for you to write โAdultishโ?ย
When I finished writing โThe Body Image Book for Girls: Love Yourself and Grow Up Fearlessโ and โBeing You: The Body Image Book for Boysโ, I wanted to develop a resource that would follow the tweens and early teens that those books were for as they moved through adolescence and into adulthood. I wanted them to have new information and I wanted to elaborate on some of the topics I wrote about in the first books. The longer I study these topics, the more I learn and have to share.
As a professor of psychology and having studied body image and eating patterns for many years, what have been some of the most alarming issues you have seen through your work?
I think that what is most alarming to me is the persistence and seriousness of eating disorders. These disorders are so often viewed as a superficial choice or a lifestyle, but they are not and they have a very high fatality rate (estimated to be 10-20%). The only mental illness with a higher fatality rate is opioid use disorder.
Although eating disorders and body image pressure can affect all people, we see a disproportionate amount of impact on young women especially. Why is this?ย
Boys and men definitely experience body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. To the extent that girls and women are more vulnerable, there are a few reasons for this. Historically, girls and women have been held to more stringent โ impossible! โย standards of beauty. The beauty ideals we see on social media or manifested by celebrities are typically the result of a combination of atypical genetics, restrictive eating and exercise habits, and often even surgery. In addition to standards being so strict, girls and women tend to feel valued for their appearance in ways that boys and men donโt necessarily.
How has social media added to the frenzy around body image and social pressures on young women?ย
Social media is an ever-present part of most young peopleโs lives. According to research conducted by Common Sense Media, adolescents check their phone over 100 times per day on average and recive over 200 notifications per day on their phones.ย Of course, not all phone use is social media use, but a large portion of it is; other research suggests that adolescents spend 2+ hours per day on social media platforms.
Social media can be problematic because people tend to share their โbest selvesโ on social media, which leads to unfortunate social comparisons. It is difficult not to compare othersโ best selves (which may also be edited and filtered) to our regular selves and, as a result, feel bad about ourselves and dissatisfied with our bodies and appearances. ย
The pandemic saw many people turn to social platforms as a lifeline for connection and information. But there is a dark side to this, can you explain more?ย
Social media can connect people and provide people with information. When we were all sequestered in our homes because of the pandemic, this outlet was valuable for many people. However, social media platforms are largely unregulated and a lot of the content is inaccurate and potentially even dangerous.ย In addition to encouraging social comarisons, social media can lead young people to maladaptive health behaviors such as food restriction and extreme activity patterns. Young people should make sure to check any health information they find on social media to be sure it is scientifically acurate.
Your book features Q&As, myth-busting, expert advice and real life stories. Can you give us a preview of some of the data that may shock readers?ย
I think that the extent to which young people can be distraught about these issues will surprise some people and also make some readers feel less alone.ย Body image and eating disorders can be very chronic and often require professional help. Although I hope โAdultishโ helps many young people, I also hope that it helps people to appreciate that they may benefit from therapy.ย I also think that readers of Adultish will be inspired by a lot of what they read in terms of the personal stories that are shared and the potential for body positivity strategies to help us all feel better about our bodies.
Were there any aspects of the book that were difficult for you to personally write about? If so, why?
Well writing in general can be hard! I have been studying, teaching, and writing about these topics for almost three decades, so I donโt think any one topic was particularly difficult, but finishing every section, chapter, and then a whole book always feels like a big accomplishment!
We are also in the middle of a huge self-love movement. But how can we make this a tangible and effective message in the lives of young people in the face of so much pressure?ย
Well, one tactic is for young people to engage in what body image scientists call protective filtering. Itโs important to protect ourselves from negative body image content and content that makes us feel bad. In other words, we need to filter out the influences that contribute to our body dissatisfaction. This can literally be done on social media where we can choose who we do and donโt follow and we have some control over the content that we see. The more we see messages that encourage self-respect, self-compassion, and even self-love, the more we may be able to internalize these ideas.
How does mental health play a role in the way people engage with social media, and how it impacts our everyday lives?ย
Thereโs some evidence to suggest that people who are more vulnerable or isolated may be drawn to social media. Social media may also be more detrimental for this group in that they may be looking for content that does not support mental health treatment. There is a relatively large community of mental health providers on social media that may actually provide some support and I encourage people to look for that content.
Can you share more about the significance of the title of your book?ย
I love the title of this book!ย โThe Body Image Book for Lifeโ refers to my desire to provide young people on the brink of adulthood with all of the essential health information they need for the rest of their lives.ย Adultish refers to the sense I think many adolescents and adults have of feeling somewhat independent and ready to be an adult and yet not always feeling ready for all that adulthood entails.
How do you hope parents, guardians, teachers, medical professionals and beyond will view the information and stories shared in your book?ย
I hope that adults who read the book appreciate that there are things they can do to help young people in their lives who may be struggling.ย I also hope they realize that some young people will benefit from professional help so they can develop a positive body image. ย
What message do you want to leave in the readerโs mind after they finish โAdultishโย
Most of us struggle with our body image to some extent. However, we can all be part of social change that helps to improve body image messages. ย
You can pre-order a copy of โAdultishโ HERE, follow Dr. Charlotte Markey on Instagram, and get familiar with her previous books on body image on her website.
