What motivates women to get their bodies in better shape?

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What motivates women to get their bodies in better shape? Inquiring minds at Cynosure wanted to know and surveyed 1,000 women in the UK to find out. Half of them said seeing an unflattering photo of themselves would prompt them to want to make a change, according to the survey. Cynosure is the maker of Sculpsure, an FDA-approved light-based fat reduction technology.

A close second, one-third of the women surveyed said getting back into clothes that no longer fit would entice them to do something about unwanted fat.

Much lower on the motivation scale were post baby bodies, breakups, peer pressure and celebrities:

• Post childbirth body changes were an incentive for 8% of those surveyed.

• One in 20 women said a divorce or breakup would trigger a desire for body change.

• And while peer pressure - meaning seeing their friends shaping up - played a role for some, only 4% said the influence of their peers would prompt the desire for body change.

• Finally, a mere 2% said celebrities’ and role models’ bodies would make them want to change their shapes.

The cosmetic industry has recognized the power of photos on self-image for years. In 2014, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFRPS) released news about how the rise of selfies was greatly impacting the facial plastic surgery industry. An AAFPRS poll during that time revealed that one in three facial plastic surgeons surveyed saw an increase in requests for procedures due to patients being more self-aware of looks in social media.

“In fact, 13% of AAFPRS members surveyed identified increased photo sharing and patients' dissatisfaction with their own image on social media sites as a rising trend in practice. As a result, AAFPRS members surveyed noted a 10% increase in rhinoplasty in 2013 over 2012, as well as a 7% increase in hair transplants and a 6% increase in eyelid surgery,” according to an AAFPRS press release.