Criticisms, such as teasing about another’s weight or promoting dieting, can work to uphold ideal body standards, leading to negative thoughts regarding body image, or even disordered eating. This is known as social reinforcement.

University of California, Berkeley

Types of Peer Influence on Eating Behaviors

Interpersonal influence and disordered eating behaviors in adolescent girls: The role of peer modeling, social reinforcement, and body-related teasing. Eating Behaviors, Volume 2, Issue 3, 2001, Pages 215-236, ISSN 1471-0153, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1471-0153(01)00030-7.

Interpersonal influence and disordered eating behaviors in adolescent girls

Social reinforcement

Others may display disordered eating behaviors, such as dieting, excessive exercise, or purging as a means to control weight and body shape. When individuals copy these behaviors as seen in others, this is called modeling.

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