Body Dysmorphia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As of early January 2021, over 86 million people have been infected with COVID-19 and nearly 2 million people have died from the disease. Countries around the world have undertaken drastic measures to mitigate the spread of the virus and loss of human lives. While these measures have been critical to effectively addressing the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no question that they have also disrupted everyday life. Schools have been shut down, businesses have closed, and major events have been cancelled, resulting in additional stress and anxiety about an uncertain future.
Unfortunately, this additional stress and anxiety poses another health issue in the midst of the pandemic. Prior studies have shown that stress and anxiety have been significantly correlated with feelings of body dysmorphia, or body dissatisfaction, which may be heightened in the COVID-19 era. To study the effect of the pandemic on body image, researchers conducted a series of surveys in the United Kingdom to determine if, and how strongly, anxiety and stress related to COVID-19 affected sentiments of body dysmorphia. In response to the pandemic, the United Kingdom, similar to the United States, underwent multiple stay-at-home orders. Citizens were told to minimize all non-essential travel and quarantine as much as possible. This alteration to daily life and general worries about viral contraction were likely the main factors contributing to anxiety and stress about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In particular, these researchers hypothesized that COVID-19 anxiety and stress would be correlated with body dissatisfaction and desire for thinness in women and body fat dissatisfaction and desire for muscularity in men. These hypotheses fall in line with male and female gender ideals in Western societies, where men are often considered more desirable if they are muscular and women are often considered more desirable if they are slim.
Unfortunately, this additional stress and anxiety poses another health issue in the midst of the pandemic. Prior studies have shown that stress and anxiety have been significantly correlated with feelings of body dysmorphia, or body dissatisfaction, which may be heightened in the COVID-19 era. To study the effect of the pandemic on body image, researchers conducted a series of surveys in the United Kingdom to determine if, and how strongly, anxiety and stress related to COVID-19 affected sentiments of body dysmorphia. In response to the pandemic, the United Kingdom, similar to the United States, underwent multiple stay-at-home orders. Citizens were told to minimize all non-essential travel and quarantine as much as possible. This alteration to daily life and general worries about viral contraction were likely the main factors contributing to anxiety and stress about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In particular, these researchers hypothesized that COVID-19 anxiety and stress would be correlated with body dissatisfaction and desire for thinness in women and body fat dissatisfaction and desire for muscularity in men. These hypotheses fall in line with male and female gender ideals in Western societies, where men are often considered more desirable if they are muscular and women are often considered more desirable if they are slim.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to close. This has resulted in additional stress and anxiety as unemployment rates have skyrocketed in the United States.
Image Source: Tim Mossholder
After surveying 506 adults (255 women and 251 men), the researchers found that COVID-19-related anxiety was significantly associated with body dissatisfaction in women and body fat dissatisfaction in men. Meanwhile, COVID-19-related anxiety and stress were both significantly associated with a drive for thinness in women and a drive for muscularity in men. These findings were all determined after controlling for confounding variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), and general anxiety and stress not related to COVID-19.
While this study did not explore what specific aspects of the pandemic and lockdown measures have resulted in greater stress, anxiety, and feelings of body dysmorphia, the researchers suggested several possibilities. For one, being confined indoors has left people with extra time to dwell on their bodies and idle on social media, where idealized bodies are prominently featured. Additionally, the closure of gyms, parks, and sports leagues has resulted in decreased physical activity and hence increased concerns about weight and body shape. The lack of available leisure activities has also meant that people have fewer healthy outlets to escape negative self-talk, such as self-criticism of body image.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on peoples’ lives around the world. In addition to the sheer mortality it has caused, the pandemic has forced society into quarantine and exacerbated mental health issues, including body dysmorphia. While it is paramount to follow public health guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus, mental health during the pandemic must not be put on the back burner. Living through a pandemic is no easy feat, so make sure to avoid self-criticism, go for physically distanced walks, stay in touch with loved ones, and prioritize mental health during a time like this.
While this study did not explore what specific aspects of the pandemic and lockdown measures have resulted in greater stress, anxiety, and feelings of body dysmorphia, the researchers suggested several possibilities. For one, being confined indoors has left people with extra time to dwell on their bodies and idle on social media, where idealized bodies are prominently featured. Additionally, the closure of gyms, parks, and sports leagues has resulted in decreased physical activity and hence increased concerns about weight and body shape. The lack of available leisure activities has also meant that people have fewer healthy outlets to escape negative self-talk, such as self-criticism of body image.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on peoples’ lives around the world. In addition to the sheer mortality it has caused, the pandemic has forced society into quarantine and exacerbated mental health issues, including body dysmorphia. While it is paramount to follow public health guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus, mental health during the pandemic must not be put on the back burner. Living through a pandemic is no easy feat, so make sure to avoid self-criticism, go for physically distanced walks, stay in touch with loved ones, and prioritize mental health during a time like this.
Image Source: Matthis Volquardsen
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