Abstract
The increasingly popular #fitspiration community on Instagram aims to promote body positivity and inspire health in its followers. However, fitspiration accounts often endorse unattainable, overly fit body ideals. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of viewing fitspiration photos on body image and fit-ideal internalisation. We compared 109 British students’ (18–50 years-old) responses on state self-esteem, mood satisfaction, body satisfaction and fit-ideal internalisation before and after viewing fitspiration photos. Online questionnaires exposed students to either five male or five female fitspiration photos, respectively for their given gender. Photos were sourced from public Instagram accounts. This study also examined the influence age and Instagram usage have on body image. Exposure to fitspiration photos produced a significant reduction in state self-esteem, mood satisfaction and fit-ideal internalisation, but had no significant influence on body satisfaction. Age had no effect on body image; however, gender impacted mood satisfaction and fit-ideal internalisation. Instagram usage influenced fit-ideal internalisation, with specific Instagram factors, such as how the importance of a photo’s “likes” were negatively associated with state self-esteem, mood and body satisfaction. Unexpectedly, Instagram frequency use and posting were related to higher levels of state self-esteem. Detailed explanations of the findings and potential future research opportunities are also discussed.
Highlights
In Western countries, a major focus has been placed on the concept of body image, whereby physical appearance equates to attractiveness [1]
There was not a significant effect on body satisfaction, but there was a significant effect on state self-esteem, mood satisfaction and fit-ideal internalisation scores after participants were exposed to fitspiration photos
This study explores the participants’ responses after exposing them to various Instagram fitspiration images based on their gender
Summary
In Western countries, a major focus has been placed on the concept of body image, whereby physical appearance equates to attractiveness [1]. More detailed examinations of Facebook have deemed that it was not merely the duration of time an individual spends on the site, but the amount of time spend on photo-related activities that correlate with body image concerns [10]. Another Social Networking Site (SNS), Instagram, has placed larger emphasis on photo-related activities (i.e., sharing and “liking” photographs/videos)
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