FRISKY FRIDAY FAIL: Feel Worse About Your Body - Follow Sexy 'Influencers'

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Study: Sexy Instagram Influencers Contribute to Body Image Issues

Sexy Instagram influencers can impact the moods and body images of other women, a Flinders University study found. And it’s not good.

Women between 17 and 25 were asked to view suggestive poses in lingerie and bikinis. Then, they responded to survey questions, regarding how they felt, in terms of their body satisfaction.

“Exposure to sexualized images led to an even greater negative mood, body dissatisfaction and appearance comparison than exposure to standard fashion images of influencers,” says body image expert Ivanka Prichard, an associate professor who leads the Embrace Impact Lab at Flinders University.

“Some Influencers endorse lingerie and bikini products, and there is growing concern about the overtly sexualized nature of the imagery they post to social media,” Associate Professor Prichard said.

“The most obvious implication is that women should be advised to limit their exposure to such images and to unfollow the accounts of influencers who post this type of material. There is growing evidence that even a short break from Instagram can have considerable benefit.”

Prof. Prichard explains that one could argue influencers, who gain considerable financial benefits from their endorsements, should be held to the same standards as other advertisers.

(Check out more, here: Study Finds)