Sociocultural factors in the prevention of body dissatisfaction and promotion of positive body image.

Sociocultural models of the development and maintenance of body image disturbance and the promotion of positive body image highlight the role of distal structural and proximal interpersonal factors. The aims of this paper are to examine the theoretical and conceptual basis for targeting sociocultural factors at both structural and interpersonal levels in prevention efforts to reduce body dissatisfaction and promote positive body image, and review relevant empirical evidence to date. Evidence suggests that sociocultural frameworks are useful for grounding efforts for the reduction of body dissatisfaction and promotion of positive body image. Such efforts have focused on targeting the pressures exerted by the sociocultural environment as well as the ways in which these pressures are experienced and internalized by individuals. While these efforts are promising, they are limited by the modest efficacy of interventions, their insufficient reach, and their failure to be inclusive and accessible for underserved vulnerable populations. Additional work is needed aiming to improve the capacity of interventions to support body image as well as their reach, with focused attention on overlooked groups.