Body Image Themes in Instagram Posts Using Hashtags #rd2be and #nursingstudent

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Instagram is an image driven social media platform popular among young adults today. Research on young women suggests that unrealistic portrayals of female bodies may contribute to a poor body image and disordered eating behavior. Nutrition students may feel more pressure to appear thin and fit to lend credibility as a nutrition professional, putting them at higher risk for body dissatisfaction. This study assessed the frequency of body image themes in Instagram posts using the hashtag #rd2be, commonly used by dietetic students, compared to posts using the hashtag #nursingstudent, commonly used by nursing students. Methods A content analysis was conducted on all Instagram posts from randomly selected days in September 2018 and March 2019 that included one of the focal hashtags (#rd2be or #nursingstudent) and represented weekdays and weekends. Images, captions, and other hashtags were reviewed for body image aspects which included body type portrayed in images (thin, average, overweight, fit) and messages in captions and hashtags related to body dissatisfaction (weight, fatness, and muscle) and overall body acceptance. Chi-square was used to test differences in the prevalence of body image attributes between posts using the two hashtags. Results A total 2924 posts were reviewed (1204 with #rd2be and 1720 with #nursingstudent). Body image-related attributes were found in 11.4% of total posts and the prevalence differed between #rd2be posts (22.7%) and #nursingstudent posts (3.5%; P < .001). Posts using #rd2be had almost twice the prevalence of thin bodies (33.6% vs 18.8%, P < .001) and double the fit/muscular bodies (10.6% vs 4.4%; P = .001) than posts using #nursingstudent. More #nursingstudent posts displayed dissatisfaction with body weight (77.0% vs 37.0%, P < .001), body fat (39.3% vs 10.6%, P < .001), and muscle (49.2% vs 16.5%, P < .001) than posts using #rdtobe. Messages regarding overall body satisfaction were more prevalent in #rd2be posts than #nursingstudent (64.1% vs 18.0%, P < .001). Conclusions Findings suggest that while dietetics students may be more mindful of body image issues than nursing students, nutrition students overall may have a higher degree of body satisfaction. Further research is needed to explore possible connections with disordered eating practices. Funding Sources No funding sources.