Social media can lead to body dissatisfaction in new moms says U of G study
Social media can lead to body dissatisfaction in new moms says U of G study
A new University of Guelph study finds social media posts, often meant to inspire new mothers to quickly lose their baby weight, can do more harm than good.
The study, from researchers in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS), finds many moms can develop poor attitudes about eating and become discouraged after scrolling through “fit-spiration” posts.
Waterloo mom Sarah Monette said she sees those posts often. In some cases, social media feeds are plastered with before-and-after pictures of women who have shed the baby weight in what can seem like record time.
“How do you look like that after just having a kid?” asks Monette.
She has her hands full taking care of two kids, 6-month-old Maddison, and almost four-year-old Graham. While much of her time is dedicated to mom duties she finds it hard not to compare herself to other mothers on social media.
“Of course I'd like to be thinner and fitter but the reality is when you have a newborn you don't have a lot of time. Sometimes it's hard to find time to even take a shower,” admitted Monette.
Waterloo mom Sarah Monette plays with her 6-month-old Maddison. (CTV News/Spencer Turcotte)
U of G RESEARCH
The research team heard from more than 130 postpartum mothers of infants under six months old. Half of the participants viewed dozen of body-focused social media posts, while the other half looked at posts on infant feeding tips. The moms who viewed body-focused posts reported higher levels of inspiration to be active but also higher body dissatisfaction levels, poorer body image, poorer eating attitudes and thoughts of restrained eating.
“Not only did looking at those body-focused messages have a short-term effect, but we actually measured a month later after they had that exposure, what happened? And those folks still felt worse about their body image and had sustained disordered eating behaviours,” Haines told CTV News.
Haines said those lingering behaviours are concerning as the impact can last long after you put your phone down.
“I think the main message is finding something that you enjoy and a way to enjoy both your baby and your body,” suggested Haines.
SETTING REALISTIC POST-PREGNANCY GOALS
Oh Baby Fitness in Cambridge offers pre- and post-natal fitness classes that can help women set more realistic post-pregnancy goals.
“Why are we expecting them to then jump into a boot camp style class or a HIIT-style class?” said owner Andrea Ryan.
Each class begins with tips on how the new moms can workout safely by ensuring they aren't over-exerting themselves.
“If you're having a day where your baby just wants to be held, we're going to do our exercises but instead of using weights or resistance bands, we're going to use the baby instead,” explained Ryan.
Ryan said it is important to build that confidence but without the unnecessary pressure.
“The amount of clients that feel the pressure of society to bounce back and just look like they've never birthed a human is quite shocking,” Ryan said.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
After years of reports and allegations detailing a 'toxic' workplace, Canada's RCMP says it is trying to evolve, focusing on diversity in its organization and repairing relationships with communities as it marks its 150th anniversary.
The federal government has set aside billions of dollars to quickly build affordable housing across the country, but delays in construction suggest many of the projects approved for funding are missing their deadlines.
The Memphis police chief on Saturday disbanded the unit whose officers beat to death Tyre Nichols as the nation and the city struggled to come to grips with video showing police pummelling the Black motorist.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos insists the federal government is going to 'work flexibly' with the provinces on the terms of a possible health-care funding deal and avoid 'micromanaging' how they deliver health care to Canadians.
When 1990s suede fringe jackets started making a comeback last year, a U.K.-based vintage clothing company decided to order four tonnes of suede from a supplier in the United States. Along with that shipment came a once-in-a lifetime discovery.
When the cold and snow have people hunkering down, these outdoor enthusiasts find motivation in braving the Canadian winter through community and sport.
According to a new study, showing university students the health risks of vaping through experts and personal testimonies can help deter them from using e-cigarettes.
Health Canada says it will continue to recommend COVID-19 prevention drug, Evulsheld, despite U.S. FDA pulling back its emergency use authorization due to concerns around its efficacy against Omicron subvariant 'Kraken.'
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
The supporters outnumbered the protesters more than 20-to-one. As drag queen Amanda Villa prepared to sing and read to children in Sarnia, a small group of protesters marched outside, while more than 100 supporters of the rally “All You Need is Love” spent time chasing them around the parking lot, and having peaceful discussions about acceptance and hate.
Only a few days after a large winter weather system rolled through southern Ontario, Environment Canada has once again issued a special weather statement for the London region, warning of a snow-rain mix expected to begin Saturday night.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
It's been more than three months since a Windsor-based fitness instructor and former hockey player took his own life — but his legacy is living on through a new fundraiser which organizers hope will spark new conversations about mental health for years to come
Northern supporters of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ mark the anniversary of last winter's demonstrations across Canada by holding a gathering of their own this weekend in North Bay.
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.
More than 50 people came out on Saturday for a walk, organized by the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury through the Laurentian University 'green space.' The 200 hectare piece of land has been a concern for many, given the questions around the university's financial stability and debts.
Ottawa police and Bylaw Services officers issued 81 parking tickets and 20 Provincial Offences Notices on Saturday, as hundreds of people marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
Ottawa police are warning the public of the dangers of texting explicit images to people on social media platforms, after seeing a spike in sextortion cases this winter.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province.
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
Some Indigenous communities in Quebec that are patrolled by provincial police say the established system does not fully meet security needs and needs improvement.
A ceremony will be held this evening to mark the sixth anniversary of Quebec City's deadly mosque shooting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, several senior federal cabinet ministers and Quebec Premier Francois Legault are among those expected to attend.
Some faculty members at Cape Breton University have walked off the job. Their strike started Friday, with the faculty's union saying the administration has disrespected it at every turn, leading to a large number of labour grievances.
As extreme cold weather brings wind chill values nearing -40°C, it's impacting everything from winter recreation to the city's most vulnerable population.
An organization helping Ukrainian newcomers settle into their new lives in Edmonton is hosting a furniture donation blitz to help restock their warehouse.
Canadian police chiefs condemned on Friday the death of a Black man who was savagely beaten by police during a traffic stop in the United States, saying the officers involved must be held accountable.
BC Emergency Health Services saw a slight decline in 911 calls for overdose and drug toxicity last year, but some areas saw a dramatic increase, and the death rate doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Advocates are predicting this year's Metro Vancouver Homeless Count will be higher than previous years' due to lingering impacts from the pandemic, job losses and inflation.
Waterloo mom Sarah Monette plays with her 6-month-old Maddison. (CTV News/Spencer Turcotte)
