How fitspiration images on social media affect body satisfaction in male and female students

What is it about?

This study explored how viewing "fitspiration" pictures (images promoting a fit and healthy lifestyle on social media) affects body satisfaction in male and female students. Using an online experiment, participants were shown either gender-matching fitspiration pictures or travel pictures. Body satisfaction was measured before and after exposure. Results showed that body satisfaction decreased in the fitspiration group but remained stable in the travel group. The negative effect was stronger in women, especially when considering the affective responses. The study suggests that viewing fitspiration images can negatively impact body satisfaction, and both gender and affective responses are important factors in this relationship.

Featured Image

Photo by Benjamin Klaver on Unsplash

Photo by Benjamin Klaver on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Compared to other appearance-idealized pictures fitspiration images are usually aligned with positive health-related messages that portray fitspiration as harmless by promoting health and fitness. However, ambigous and often negative effects of fitspiration content on psychological well-being have been reported. The vast majority of research has only studied female persons. We evaluated if there are possible gender differences in body satisfaction after exposure to fitspiration pictures.