April 4-6, 2024 • Hyatt Regency • Lexington, KY
Innovations in Health Communication
Innovations in Health Communication
Abstract: The Good, The Bad, and The Distorted: A Meta-Analysis of Fitspiration
A considerable body of research has explored the impact of media on health-related outcomes, particularly body image and eating disorders (Groesz et al., 2002; Hausenblas et al., 2013; Holmstrom, 2004; Prieler & Choi, 2014; Sherlock & Wagstaff, 2019). Despite these academic pursuits, the burgeoning phenomenon of fitspiration, characterized by social media content aimed at motivating individuals toward a fitness-oriented lifestyle, remains relatively unexplored in terms of its influence on body image and eating disorder symptomatology. The literature has shown a dual impact of such content, fostering body positivity and self-compassion as well as revealing instances where healthy behaviors promoted escalate into restrictive eating and excessive exercise – commonly associated with eating disorder symptoms (Bell et al., 2021; Griffiths et al., 2018; Slater et al., 2017). While existing literature on fitspiration has predominantly focused on conducting content analyses and investigating user experiences (Bell et al., 2021; Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2018), its widespread distribution across social media platforms underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of its potential effects, both beneficial and risky as it pertains to body-centric psychosocial outcomes.
Critical questions remain unaddressed in the literature, including the overarching understanding of the impact of exposure to fitspiration, if this trend propels individuals to pursue an idealized body, and what role this content plays in individuals’ self-perceptions of their body and appearance. Thus, this meta-analysis, spanning five years of empirical research, examines the effects of fitspiration content across social media platforms on body image, self-perceptions, and eating disorder symptomatology, particularly among young women and adolescents. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using electronic research databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Communication Source, etc.), following procedures outlined by Walter et al. (2019). Inclusion criteria involved correlational studies focusing on various outcomes of fitspiration on social media (i.e., thin ideal, social comparison, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and exercise behaviors) including young female participants. Finally, we coded article characteristics and outcomes, reporting correlation coefficients (r) (Quintana, 2015; Walter et al., 2019).
This meta-analysis (N = 10, k = 24) finds positive and statistically significant effects on thin body ideals (r = .375, p = .001), eating disorders (r = .3, p = .011), and exercise behaviors (r = .323, p < .001). These results indicate that engagement with fitspiration content is strongly associated with an increased focus on idealizing slim figures, exhibiting eating disorder symptomatology, and seeking exercise. However, it reveals a weak impact on body dissatisfaction (r = .152, p = .041) and a nonsignificant effect on social comparison (r = .138, p = .074). In this instance, we see that although viewing fitspiration content plays a role in shaping body ideals, its effect on dissatisfaction with one’s body is less pronounced and does not significantly contribute to individuals comparing themselves with those featured in the posts. These findings provide a nuanced insight into the complex relationship between fitspiration exposure and well-being, shaping discussions of aesthetically-centered fitness experiences that have the potential to shape health-oriented behaviors and body-idyllic pursuits in the digital age.
Critical questions remain unaddressed in the literature, including the overarching understanding of the impact of exposure to fitspiration, if this trend propels individuals to pursue an idealized body, and what role this content plays in individuals’ self-perceptions of their body and appearance. Thus, this meta-analysis, spanning five years of empirical research, examines the effects of fitspiration content across social media platforms on body image, self-perceptions, and eating disorder symptomatology, particularly among young women and adolescents. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using electronic research databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Communication Source, etc.), following procedures outlined by Walter et al. (2019). Inclusion criteria involved correlational studies focusing on various outcomes of fitspiration on social media (i.e., thin ideal, social comparison, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and exercise behaviors) including young female participants. Finally, we coded article characteristics and outcomes, reporting correlation coefficients (r) (Quintana, 2015; Walter et al., 2019).
This meta-analysis (N = 10, k = 24) finds positive and statistically significant effects on thin body ideals (r = .375, p = .001), eating disorders (r = .3, p = .011), and exercise behaviors (r = .323, p < .001). These results indicate that engagement with fitspiration content is strongly associated with an increased focus on idealizing slim figures, exhibiting eating disorder symptomatology, and seeking exercise. However, it reveals a weak impact on body dissatisfaction (r = .152, p = .041) and a nonsignificant effect on social comparison (r = .138, p = .074). In this instance, we see that although viewing fitspiration content plays a role in shaping body ideals, its effect on dissatisfaction with one’s body is less pronounced and does not significantly contribute to individuals comparing themselves with those featured in the posts. These findings provide a nuanced insight into the complex relationship between fitspiration exposure and well-being, shaping discussions of aesthetically-centered fitness experiences that have the potential to shape health-oriented behaviors and body-idyllic pursuits in the digital age.