AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO026020022
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

When imaging meets aesthetics: Survey‑based evidence on kalórexia and body perception

Graziella Di Grezia1†* ,  Teresa Iannaccone2† ,  Danilo Alunni Fegatelli1 ,  Valentina Giudice3
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1 Department of Life Sciences, Health and Healthcare Professions, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy
2 Independent Researcher, Avellino, Italy
3 Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
EJMO, 026020022 https://doi.org/10.36922/EJMO026020022
Received: 11 January 2026 | Revised: 28 February 2026 | Accepted: 17 April 2026 | Published online: 28 May 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Introduction: Contemporary beauty perception is increasingly shaped by digital technologies, social media exposure, and the normalization of aesthetic interventions. The widespread use of image‑editing applications and algorithm‑driven visual standards has amplified unrealistic aesthetic expectations, particularly among younger individuals. Recent conceptual work has introduced kalórexia as an emerging aesthetic dysmorphism characterized by digitally mediated appearance‑related distress, distinct from traditional body dysmorphic disorder due to its strong technological determinants. Empirical data on how individuals perceive beauty, digital filters, aesthetic procedures, and the potential influence of medical imaging remain limited.

Objective: To investigate digital influences on body image, aesthetic perceptions, and the role of radiological imaging in shaping appearance-related attitudes.

Methods: This cross‑sectional, anonymous, web‑based survey explored sociodemographic characteristics, digital habits, attitudes toward physical appearance, aesthetic procedures, and the perceived impact of radiological imaging on body image. The questionnaire included multiple‑choice and Likert‑scale items assessing discomfort, self‑image perception, and awareness of digitally shaped beauty standards. A total of 165 individuals completed the survey. Descriptive statistics and subgroup comparisons across three predefined clusters were performed by an independent biostatistician.

Results: Respondents reported frequent social media exposure and varying degrees of preoccupation with appearance. Digital filters were widely perceived as influential, and many participants experienced discomfort when viewing unfiltered images. Aesthetic procedures were relatively common, with heterogeneous satisfaction levels. While most did not seek radiological examinations for aesthetic purposes, many acknowledged that imaging could influence body perception. A substantial proportion recognized kalórexia as a real phenomenon.

Conclusion: Findings support the view of kalórexia as an emerging construct shaped by digital culture, aesthetic norms, and evolving clinical practices. The interplay between social media exposure, discomfort with unfiltered images, aesthetic procedures, and perceived imaging influence underscores the need for interdisciplinary awareness, particularly among radiologists.

Keywords
Kalórexia
Body image
Digital filters
Aesthetic perception
Radiology and aesthetics
Social media influence
Cosmetic procedures
Beauty norms
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing
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