How do transformation photos affect body image?

Flynn & Newman (2023) Viewing Before and After Weight Loss Transformation Images Online: The Impact on Young Women's Mood, Body Satisfaction, Self-Objectification and the Role of Appearance Comparison

Published in Psychology of Popular Media.

Full article available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000502

The humble before-and-after photo is pretty much the currency of all FeMaLe FaT LoSs CoAcHeS. Coaches often plaster their social media with individuals who have transformed from ugly duckling into a beautiful swan in high-waisted leggings. Transformation photos gained great engagement, traction and client enquiries. And no one questioned anything, and we all went about our days eating Quest bars and crying ourselves to sleep if we went 5g over our carbohydrate target.

Until body image researchers caught up.

Let’s have a look at the first experimental study to demonstrate the impact of transformation photos on young women’s body image.