The finding of the study revealed that even 30 minutes on the social media app can “make women fixate negatively on their weight and appearance,” according to The New York Post. Additionally, the participants displayed dissatisfaction about their own bodies after looking at “fitspo” images and idolized celebrities.

When scrolling through our feeds, we are exposed to a highly-curated selection of photos, images, and snaps that are far from our reality. … Constant exposure to altered images can lead to an unhealthy pressure to achieve unrealistic body types, which can result in body dysmorphic behaviors

Some consequences of the thin ideal include lowered self-esteem, increased depression, excessive dieting, and eating disorders. The current standards of beauty are dangerously unattainable, especially in terms of thinness, because the gap between realistic expectations and the ideal continues to grow larger.

The doctored reality often presented on social media has the potential to exacerbate feelings of isolation, loneliness and anxiety. This can feed into a cycle of unrealistic social, physical and lifestyle expectations. It can create a real negative impact upon their sense of self-worth, confidence and wellbeing