Why 'Before And After' Photos Are More Problematic Than You Think

Here's the truth behind weight loss images and what they do and don't show you about a person's health (and your own well-being).

Before and after photos are ubiquitous for a reason. They’re what marketers call a “social trigger” — a type of content that prompts those who see it to feel or act a certain way. They make it clear to viewers that one situation (the “after”) is more desirable than another (the “before”). Think of before and after photos focused on weight loss, for example. If a group of people looked at a single photo of someone standing in a bathing suit, each person in that group might have a different reaction. Some might feel attracted to the person, others might feel indifferent about the person and others might focus on something else entirely ― like what the person is wearing or how the sunset looks behind them.