Work

Online vs. in-person body talk: The effects of gender, context, and body talk type on frequency and body satisfaction

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the differences in three types of body talk (fat talk, muscle talk, and positive body talk) by context (in-person and online) and gender (men and women). Data were collected using an online survey of 605 participants who completed self-report measures of body satisfaction, and fat talk, muscle talk, and positive body talk statements made in in-person conversations and posted in online social media posts. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship between the body talk that occurred in-person and online, which was stronger for men than women. In general, people were much more likely to engage in body talk in in-person contexts, rather than online contexts. Women were more likely than men to make fat talk statements and less likely to make positive body talk statements during in-person conversations; however, in online social media posts, men were more likely to make all three types of body talk statements than women. Finally, in-person body talk was more predictive of body satisfaction than the body talk statements posted online.

Source: Body Image

DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102170

Authors: Linda Lin, Mark A. Flynn, Kate DelTorchio

Institution: Emmanuel College - Massachusetts

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250