The Proof with Simon Hill

Body dysmorphia, disordered eating, unhealthy exercise and cosmetic procedures | Gemma Sharp, PhD

Feb 13, 2024

Guest Gemma Sharp, Associate Professor, explores body dysmorphia, social media's impact on body image, eating disorders, and harmful trends in the media. The podcast also discusses positive self-talk, the link between body dysmorphia and orthorexia, doctors' communication impact on patients, optimal rehydration strategy, comparison of dietary patterns in vegans and omnivores, myths surrounding eating disorders, rise of non-invasive cosmetic procedures, Living Proof Longevity Challenge, and the rise of labiaplasty.

01:34:35

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Gemma Sharp

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Quick takeaways

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) can lead to disordered eating, unhealthy exercise behaviors, and negative cosmetic procedure outcomes.

Social media platforms significantly influence body image concerns and can contribute to the development of eating disorders.

While individuals who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may display more pathological eating behaviors, motivations behind dietary choices should be considered for tailored support.

Deep dives

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and its Impact on Daily Life

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a clinical disorder characterized by intense concern over one's appearance, specifically focusing on a specific part of the body. This concern can be debilitating, affecting daily life and causing individuals to avoid social situations and engage in compulsive behaviors. BDD can increase the risk of disordered eating, unhealthy exercise behaviors, and negative outcomes from cosmetic interventions. The disorder affects about 1 to 2% of the population, and it can occur in both males and females. BDD typically begins in adolescence, but it can also develop in adulthood due to significant changes in appearance. The exact causes of BDD are not fully understood, but both genetic and environmental factors play a role. It is crucial to improve understanding and raise awareness of BDD to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment for affected individuals.

Introduction

4min

A Diverse Career Path and an Interest in Body Dysmorphia

3min

Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Its Impact

16min

The Impact of Negative Self-Talk and the Importance of Positive Body Image

17min

Discussing the Impacts of Doctors' Communication on Patients

3min

Optimal Rehydration Strategy and Comparison of Dietary Patterns

1min

The Link between Cognitive Restraint and Pathological Eating Behaviors in Vegans

15min

Myths and Stereotypes in Eating Disorders

8min

The Rise of Non-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

8min

10.

Living Proof Longevity Challenge and Rise in Labiaplasty and Penile Augmentation

3min

11.

The Rise of Labiaplasty and Factors Influencing It

16min

12.

Thoughtful Considerations and Realistic Expectations for Cosmetic Procedures

3min

Episode #300. How does body image fit into our picture of overall health? When does negative self-image become body dysmorphic disorder? And does veganism align with a positive relationship with food? Discover the answers to these questions and many more in this conversation with Associate Professor Gemma Sharp.

You’ll learn about body dysmorphic disorder (also called body dysmorphia), who falls into this category, and who is at risk for it. We discuss the impact of social media on body image, the prevalence and treatment of eating disorders, and harmful trends in the media. You’ll also discover the facts about body image in vegans, cosmetic interventions, and how AI might be the answer to overwhelmed mental health services.

Specifically, we discuss:

Introduction (00:00)
Exploring Interest in Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Gemma Sharp (01:35)
Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Definition, Prevalence, Onset, and Causes (04:20)
The Influence of Social Media on Body Image (09:01)
The Role of Social Media in Seeking External Validation (12:33)
Managing Social Media's Impact on Body Image: Advice for Parents (18:08)
Practising Self-Compassion: The Compassionate Friend Exercise (20:03)
Effectiveness of Positive Self-Talk in Body Image Improvement (23:32)
Connection Between Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (25:35)
Navigating Eating Disorders: Orthorexia, Anorexia vs Bulimia, Impacts Across Weight Spectrums, and Screening Tools (26:32)
Identifying Triggers for Developing Eating Disorders (31:02)
Harmful Media Trends Leading to Eating Disorders (33:14)
Medical Approaches to Treating Eating Disorders (34:41)
Comparing Dietary Patterns: Vegan vs Omnivorous Diets in Eating Disorders (38:04)
Evidence-Based Strategies for Treating Eating Disorders (43:36)
The Role of AI in Treating Eating Disorders (49:10)
Debunking Myths About Eating Disorders (53:48)
Eating Disorders in Athletics: The Interplay with Exercise (55:02)
Cosmetic Procedures and Body Image: Mental Health, Satisfaction, and Safety (1:02:05)
Insights into Labiaplasty from a Scientific Perspective (1:10:05)
Empowering Education: Understanding Female Anatomy and Overcoming Social Taboos
Understanding Male Motivations for Penile Augmentation (1:23:35)
Concluding Remarks (1:27:38)

Learn more about Associate Professor Gemma Sharp here, and connect with her on Twitter/X. Visit The Proof website for the full show notes and supporting studies.

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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)

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Author of The Proof is in the Plants

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