Digital interventions offer a scalable approach to addressing body image concerns, yet few have been designed specifically for millennial women. This study evaluated the acceptability and effectiveness of a single-session podcast-based body image intervention. Millennial women (i.e., born between 1981-1996) in the UK (N = 1,351; Mage = 37.24, SD = 4.36) participated in a three-arm online randomised controlled trial and were assigned to (1) Podcast plus Journal, (2) Podcast Only, or (3) Control Podcast unrelated to body image. Trait measures of appearance esteem (primary outcome), internalisation, self-objectification, and weight esteem were assessed at baseline, one-day, and one-week follow-up. State body satisfaction and mood were assessed immediately before and after intervention exposure. Analyses were conducted using intention-to-treat analysis of covariance models controlling for baseline scores. No significant improvements were observed for appearance esteem or other trait constructs in either intervention condition at either follow-up timepoint except for internalisation where a small positive effect was found at one-week post for the Podcast Only condition. Participants in the Podcast Only condition reported a small but significant boost to state body satisfaction relative to the control condition. This was not replicated in the Podcast plus Journal condition, nor for mood. Engagement moderated several trait outcomes in the Podcast Only condition, with higher engagement associated with more favourable scores. Acceptability of the podcast was rated very good by participants. Findings suggest podcasts are an acceptable digital format for delivering body image content, delivering in-the-moment improvements in body satisfaction.
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Garbett et al. (2026) studied this question.
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