Body image and eating concerns are prevalent among Japanese young women and result in part from exposure to unrealistic media imagery. In Western contexts, a growing body of research has explored the impact of social media on body image and eating disorder risk, and the potential for body positive media to mitigate these harmful effects. However, similar research in Japan is lacking. The aim of the present study was to qualitatively explore media and social media influences on body image and associated behaviors among young women in Japan, with a specific focus on body positive media content. Female university students in Japan (n = 29) participated in majority group and some individual interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four primary themes: (1) media appearance pressures: additive pressures of Japanese and Western ideals through globalization, (2) criticism of, resistance to, and negotiating appearance ideals, and (3) presence of body positivity in Japan, and (4) media as a background for interpersonal appearance pressures. High pressure towards thinness emerged, perceived as contributing to weight control behaviors that were calibrated to avoid being "unhealthy." Desire for greater body diversity in Japanese media emerged; however, findings suggest body positive messaging is scarce and mainly limited to high-profile celebrities.

中文翻译：

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美丽理想、社交媒体和身体积极性：对日本年轻女性身体形象影响的定性调查。

身体形象和饮食问题在日本年轻女性中很普遍，部分原因是接触了不切实际的媒体形象。在西方背景下，越来越多的研究探索了社交媒体对身体形象和饮食失调风险的影响，以及身体积极媒体减轻这些有害影响的潜力。然而，日本缺乏类似的研究。本研究的目的是定性地探讨媒体和社交媒体对日本年轻女性身体形象和相关行为的影响，特别关注身体积极的媒体内容。日本女大学生（n = 29）参加了多数团体和一些个人访谈。专题分析揭示了四个主要主题：（1）媒体出现压力：日本和西方理想通过全球化的附加压力，(2) 对外表理想的批评、抵制和谈判，以及 (3) 日本身体积极性的存在，以及 (4) 媒体作为人际外表压力的背景。出现了变瘦的高压，被认为有助于控制体重，这些行为被校准以避免“不健康”。日本媒体对更多身体多样性的渴望出现了；然而，调查结果表明身体积极的信息很少，主要限于知名人士。日本媒体对更多身体多样性的渴望出现了；然而，调查结果表明身体积极的信息很少，主要限于知名人士。日本媒体对更多身体多样性的渴望出现了；然而，调查结果表明身体积极的信息很少，主要限于知名人士。