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

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)

Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill

Author of The Proof is in the Plants

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