Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 02 Aug 2024
Study Says Taylor Swift Is The Best Role Model For Fans For Promoting A Positive Body Image
Taylor Swift helped reduce the shame of eating disorders among fans
The fandom of Taylor Swift is not just limited to her songs and charisma. According to a new study, the iconic American singer also promotes and healthy and positive body image among her followers.
Published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, the study investigated if the Anti-Hero singer's honesty and openness about her past struggles with eating disorders and weight issues had any positive impact on her fans. After looking at hundreds of posts on social media, the researchers found Swift helped reduce the shame of eating disorders among fans.
“The biggest takeaway from our research is that by sharing her own struggles with disordered eating, Swift was seen as a role model for the importance of a healthy relationship with food and body,” Dr. Lizzy Pope, Associate Professor and director of the undergraduate dietetics program at the University of Vermont, and study author told Health.
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a serious, complex, mental health issue that affects your emotional and physical health. According to experts, those with eating disorders develop unhealthy relationships with food, their weight, and appearance. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are all types of eating disorders – which doctors say are treatable.
However, those suffering from untreated eating disorders may develop life-threatening problems.
Statistics say around 20 million girls and women and 10 million boys and men in America have an eating disorder - caused by several complex factors including genetics, brain biology, personality, cultural and social ideals, and mental health issues.
The study
For the study, researchers investigated around 200 posts on TikTok and Reddit, including the comment sections. After performing a detailed qualitative analysis, content was treated on four different themes:
- Body image
- Disordered eating
- Diet culture
- Anti-fat bias
“Both her disclosures in Miss Americana and her songs seemed to positively impact fans,” said Pope.
Overall, Swifties on Reddit and TikTok talked about how the singer was a positive role model for them and how her music and documentary helped them personally heal from disordered eating or negative body image.
How to build a positive body image?
According to the new research, a few ways you can build a more positive body image, regardless of whether you are a Swiftie, include:
- Make sure to accept, respect, and hold favourable opinions of your body.
- Always say positive things about your body, and be compassionate and accepting
- Confront criticism and misleading assumptions about your body
- Take adequate steps to care for your body
- Spend time with positive people
- If needed, get professional help from a mental health expert who can determine the best psychotherapy for your situation. Many people with eating disorders improve with cognitive behavioural therapy
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