Fitness-Related Content Consumption on Instagram and Body Dysmorphia among Male Youth Community in Klang Valley

Abstract

The concept of masculinity and its representation in society as “material currency” is an important research area especially with the emergence of social media. Fitness related content with high emphasis on muscularity on social media platform can lead to issues such as body dysmorphia. In this research, the researchers aim to understand the link between consumption of fitness related content on Instagram and body dysmorphia among Klang Valley local male youth community. The research objectives were 1) to identify the frequency of fitness-related content that the local male youth community has been exposed to on Instagram; 2) to understand the significant relationship between of fitness-related content frequency and body dysmorphia occurring in the local male youth community in Klang Valley, 3) to examine the outcome of downward social comparison of fitness-related content on body image of the local male youth community in Klang Valley and 4) To understand the significant effect of demographic profiles of local male youth community body dysmorphia after exposure to fitness-related content on Instagram. Using survey questionnaires, 387 responses were collected. Findings indicated a significant relationship between fitness-related content and body dysmorphia. Respondents are likely to compare their own body image and would possess body dysmorphia symptoms after exposure to fitness-related content. This research is significant to policymakers to have better understanding on how social media can contribute to body dysmorphia. Keywords: body dysmorphia; body image; social comparison; local male youth community; fitness-related content