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Herzliya, Israel — Everyone is their own worst critic, especially when it comes to looks. People with body image issues tend to talk bad about themselves in their heads. But researchers found that a few minutes of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on a mobile app each day could make a big difference in how people see themselves and their overall body satisfaction. I discovered that there is
Study co-author Guy Delon, a professor at Reichmann University, said, “Considering the effectiveness of the application in reducing negative body image, the time saved, and the potential broader applicability of this type of intervention. So the findings of this study are promising.” , in a media release. “The results show that even simple daily cognitive training using this app can lead to significant reductions in symptoms associated with body image distress.”
Beauty is subjective. However, society has made it easier for us to label ourselves as “cute” or “ugly” compared to the characteristics of models and celebrities. It can be hard to walk away from airbrushed, filtered beauty standards because you feel it. Complicating matters is the aging process. In their thirties, people’s bodies begin to change as their metabolism slows down and weight begins to accumulate in undesirable places.
A common problem that contributes to poor body image is a person’s internal dialogue, researchers say. When I think about what my body looks like, I often find myself falling into a vicious cycle of self-loathing with words like, “I hate my body” and “I don’t have anything that looks good on me.” Although CBT is effective in addressing negative self-thinking, it is not always the most accessible due to the high cost and stigma of going to therapy.
How does the app work?
In the current study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of a mobile health app developed by the team and company ‘GGtude’. Mobile apps may be a more attractive option for young adults because they are cheap, accessible, and anonymous, the authors argue.
Researchers recruited 95 young women between the ages of 20 and 30 for the study. The team divided them into her two groups, one group used “OCD.app – Anxiety Mood & Sleep” immediately and another her group waited her 16 days before using the app.
The mobile app is designed to provide 3-4 minutes of CBT over a two-week period, with the ultimate goal of changing their inner thought dialogue. Sessions include statements that endorse or deny negative perceptions of one’s body. These include statements such as that physical appearance influences academic, professional, marital, and family success, and that self-esteem is based on physical appearance.
Users then had to elicit sentences that challenged negative body attitudes toward themselves, such as “an imperfect body is a real body” or “even internet celebrities have wrinkles”. Hmm. They also do a daily exercise of rejecting sentences that reinforce negative physical perceptions such as “Imperfection is a failure” or “People are always looking for my flaws.” If you agree with one of the negative opinions, the app will provide feedback to the user, pointing out unhealthy thoughts and encouraging more positive and constructive thinking.
How well did the app work?
Women who started using the app sooner reported fewer thoughts and behaviors pointing to poor self-image and body dysmorphic disorders compared to the group who started treatment later. Additionally, the first group felt less aware and negative about specific body parts such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. When the second group of women started using the app, so did their body satisfaction.
The study authors reported a 34.7% improvement in body satisfaction after using the app for 16 consecutive days. This lasted two weeks after he stopped CBT training. One caveat is that the app did not significantly affect symptoms associated with eating disorders, such as binge eating and obsession with weight loss. Eating disorder symptoms improved slightly in her 13.68% of participants.
The research is published in the journal body image.
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