The term ‘body image’ is used constantly when discussing women’s wellbeing. It captures a broad range of feelings and ideas, all wrapped up in the relationship a woman has with her own body. But, with overuse, we can forget the real impacts of body image, and how it affects the way in which we move through the world, take up space, and look after our wellbeing.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at exactly how body image can trigger disordered eating and make it harder to access healthcare. Let’s look beyond the buzzwords at the real risks of negative self-perception.

Body Image in the Age of Social Media

Social media is a den of comparison and critique. It’s full of edited images, body shaming, before-and-after photos, and unrealistic expectations, packaged in an addictive format that we can’t get enough of.

88% of women compare their bodies to those they see on social media. Even while knowing that these images aren’t always a realistic reflection of that person, it’s almost a knee-jerk reaction to measure ourselves against them anyway. We scroll, we compare, and we find ourselves lacking, often without realising what we’re doing.

This habit of comparison has wide-reaching effects on body image, changing how we see even the smallest parts of ourselves.

45% of social media users, for instance, lose confidence in their smile when comparing themselves to others on social media. As a result, dentists like Baudelaire Dental Clinic are seeing a rise in demand for cosmetic treatments, including Invisalign and veneers, as patients look to improve their teeth.

Women and body image in the UK is an increasingly worrying issue. 60% of women report feeling negative about their physical appearance, highlighting the prevalence of poor self-perception. Social media or not, something has to change.

The Link Between Body Image and Eating Disorders

All too often, a negative view of body image leads to disordered eating. Women who are unhappy with their bodies are 4 times more likely to have difficult relationships with food, and this goes beyond calories and dieting.

From anorexia to binge eating, a woman’s relationship with her body is a pivotal factor in developing eating disorders.

Worryingly, the prevalence of eating disorders in the UK is rapidly increasing. Disordered eating in women aged between 17 and 19 has skyrocketed from 0.8% in 2017 to over 12% in 2023. Is it a coincidence that social media use amongst young people is also on the rise? Looking at the links to body image outlined above, we don’t think so.

How Body Image Creates Healthcare Challenges

With poor body image and eating disorders come health issues that need to be addressed. Here, though, we can run into another hurdle. Regardless of relationships with food, women’s body image can directly affect their relationship with healthcare, making it harder for them to seek the support they need.

Delays in Preventive Care

Shame and anxiety around body image can become major hurdles to accessing healthcare. This is particularly true for more invasive procedures, like cervical exams and breast checks. These require women to expose intimate areas of their bodies, which can be daunting even to those who generally feel confident about their image. 

42% of women avoid having a smear test due to embarrassment. As a free, simple procedure that can detect early warning signs of cancer, that number’s simply too high.

But for women who struggle with body image, the very thought of being examined can be triggering. This increases the risk of late diagnoses and more complex health complications, turning body image concerns into a long-term health issue.

Weight Stigma in Healthcare

Weight stigma in healthcare creates anxiety for those who struggle with being overweight or underweight. Yet far too often, professionals amplify stereotypes and display discriminatory behaviour, making positive healthcare far less accessible.

When women experience weight stigma, it exacerbates negative feelings around seeking help. They may become less likely to trust advice offered by healthcare providers or book appointments in the future, putting their health at risk. As a result, symptoms go unreported, and check-ups are missed. 

For women who already struggle with body image or disordered eating, this sort of experience can drastically impact their recovery. 

Resistance to Treatment

Even when women make it to the hospital, body image can create barriers to receiving treatment. Over 30% of women, for instance, refuse to be weighed by healthcare providers, making it harder to properly diagnose conditions.

For individuals struggling with eating disorders and severe body dissatisfaction, medical environments can be triggering spaces. Things like discussing weight and hearing medical opinions can cause fear and shame. As a result, some patients may delay appointments and withhold information, or avoid seeking care altogether.

This resistance shouldn’t be mistaken for any sort of defiance or stubbornness. Instead, it’s linked to deep psychological distress and mental health. When weight becomes closely tied to identity and self-worth, even being weighed by your GP can feel threatening, and women should be treated with care and empathy in these situations. 

Steps to Improve Healthcare Outcomes

Negative body image is on the rise, and women’s relationships with food and healthcare are increasingly at risk. But we’re not here to be all doom and gloom. It’s our belief that society doesn’t have to perpetuate negative body image, and that women should always be able to access the support they need.

Here’s how healthcare organisations and society as a whole can champion safety for women with body image issues:

• Better training: Healthcare professionals need CPD training on body image and eating disorders. This can amplify understanding and improve empathy, giving them the resources they need to combat weight stigma, tackle ED stereotypes, and provide better health outcomes for all women.

• Start support early: Women should know where and how they can seek help for body image issues and fear around healthcare. This all starts with enhanced education and support in schools. By helping young people, we build the foundations for healthier, better-supported adults.

• Weight-inclusive care: Healthcare should move away from weight-centric treatments that focus solely on BMI. A weight-inclusive approach prioritises behaviours, mental wellbeing, nutrition, and overall physical health rather than numbers on a scale.

• Improve specialist support: Timely referrals to dietitians, therapists, and eating disorder specialists are crucial. Long waiting lists can discourage women from seeking help, making investment in these areas essential to improve service availability. 

As providers of eating disorder support in the UK, we’re also keeping a close watch on the potential ban of social media for under-16s. As a leading cause of body image issues that develop into food and healthcare anxieties, this could be a significant step in the right direction for our young people.

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that body image can influence many aspects of a woman’s life, including relationships to food and perceptions of healthcare. Hopefully, this guide hasn’t just raised awareness of these issues but provided actionable advice to fight back. Together, we can improve health outcomes for everyone.

For more articles on eating disorders, check out the latest on our blog.