Body Satisfaction Research Articles

Effects of microcurrent therapy combined with High-Intensity Interval Training on the reduction of localized abdominal adiposity: a randomized clinical trial

Background: The combination of aerobic exercise and transcutaneous microcurrent application (Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation - MES) was shown to have a positive effect on localized abdominal adiposity(LAA) reduction. However, the effect of the combination of MES and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is still unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect combination of MES and HIIT on LAA reduction. Methods: 39 sedentary women with LAA, distributed in a Control Group (CG), an Exercise Group (EG), and a Microcurrent plus Exercise Group (MEG) participated in this randomized clinical trial. The CG was not submitted to intervention. The EG was submitted to a HIIT protocol (80% of Heart Rate max in a functional circuit) and MEG was submitted to abdominal transcutaneous application of MES prior to HIIT, 2x/week, during 5 weeks. The outcomes were collected by a blind evaluator and measured in three moments (before the 1st intervention, and after the 5th and 10th intervention), based on body composition parameters, anthropometric data, physical activity level (PAL), body satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), and lumbar functionality. Results: After 10 interventions, MEG showed significant improvement in skinfolds, QoL, and body satisfaction, but no significant difference compared to EG or CG. Regarding PAL, MEG differed significantly in relation to CG, but not in relation to EG. Conclusion: The combination of MES and HIIT in 10 interventions did not show satisfactory results for LAA reduction compared to HIIT, but the increase in PAL and the improvement in lumbar functionality may provide positive effects in the medium-term, although further studies are required.

Influence of TikTok on Body Satisfaction Among Generation Z in Indonesia: Mixed Methods Approach.

As social media platforms gain popularity, their usage is increasingly associated with cyberbullying and body shaming, causing devastating effects. This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on Generation Z users' body image satisfaction. More specifically, it examines the impact of TikTok on body image satisfaction among TikTok users aged between 17 years and 26 years in Indonesia. The methodology used mixed-method approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from 507 responses to a questionnaire and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews of 32 respondents and analyzed through content analysis. This study reveals that upward appearance comparison is influenced by video-based activity and appearance motivation. Conversely, thin-ideal internalization is influenced by appearance motivation and social media literacy. Upward appearance comparisons and thin-ideal internalization comparisons detrimentally impact users' body image satisfaction. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for social media providers, regulators, and educators in their endeavors to establish a positive and healthy social media environment for users.

COVID-19-Related distress, body image, and eating behaviors: a cross-sectional explanatory model

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors in adolescents. To better understand these associations, this study tested an explanatory model in which appearance-focused social media use, internalization of social media pressure, and mindfulness abilities mediated the relationship between COVID-related distress and body dissatisfaction, which in turn was associated with dietary restraint and binge eating episodes.MethodsAdolescents (N = 493, Mage= 16.7; 47.5% girls) recruited within high schools completed online measures. We conducted model testing through path analysis in MPlus, using modification indices to derive a well-fitting model.ResultsThe initially hypothesized model was a poor fit for the data. The final well-adjusted model confirmed several significant paths and supported the parallel mediational roles of social media (specifically, the use of appearance-focused social media and internalization of social media pressure) along with mindfulness, on the relationship between COVID-19-related distress and body satisfaction. Model adjustments involved adding three paths, resulting in two additional significant indirect effects, and suppressing one path.ConclusionsFindings suggest that mindfulness, media use and the internalization of social media pressure are potential key processes explaining body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among adolescents who experienced higher levels of COVID-related distress.

An Exploratory Investigation of the Body Image and Health Behavior Transition in Retiring Intercollegiate Athletes

Because an athletes’ body is central to their identity, it is important to consider the ramifications of retirement from sport on their well-being. Using a single-group pre–post test design, the purpose of this exploratory study was to expand on the current state of knowledge regarding the body image and health behavior transition of retired intercollegiate athletes. Ten athletes from three institutions completed demographic and health behavior questions, the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire, and selected items from the Body Parts Satisfaction Scale-Revised online prior to and after retirement (M = 305 days). Although most athletes reported maintaining healthy patterns of nutrition and physical activity in retirement, results showed that body satisfaction significantly declined, and that actual–ideal body discrepancy increased, albeit to a nonsignificant degree. National Collegiate Athletic Association athletics departments to consider how they can more effectively empower athletes to take care of and appreciate their body even after the final performance.

여대생의 지각한 사회적지지와 신체만족도와의 관계

Objectives This research was constructed to find out if individual’s sociocultural attitude toward appearance can be seen as mediating parameter for social support affects body satisfaction.
 Methods The research utilized self-response survey focusing on females college students. Responses were gathered from 328 subjects. Applications used consisted of SPSS Statistics 24.0 program and Macro PROCESS v2 for frequency analysis, extracting Cronbach’s α values for descriptive statistics analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis.
 Results First, those who perceive to be subjected to high social support are found to have high body satisfaction. Second, those who perceive to be subjected to high social support are less likely to be influenced by sociocultural attitude toward appearance. Third, those who perceive to be subjected to high social support are less influenced by sociocultural attitude toward appearance and are likely to possess high body satisfaction. Thus one can conclude social support affects body satisfaction with sociocultural attitude toward appearance acting as partial parameters.
 Conclusions The implication of the research is the presenting sociocultural attitude toward appearance as a new mediating parameter for social support affecting body satisfaction. Also in attempting to counsel clients in clinical environment, exploration on the level of social support and the level of internalization of sociocultural attitude toward appearance can be helpful. When the client can gain healthy perceptions on body appearances without wholly accepting standards from social expectations and is able to evaluate such values on own terms, stress from internalization of such pressures on appearances can be expected to be alleviated.

Body image perception and physical activity behavior among adult population: Application of trans-theoretical model of behavior change.

The human body changes during life, but research on how sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity (PA) related to all aspects of body image are still unclear and there is conflict in the relevant results. This study aims to examine gender-specific body image perception and physical activity in relation to BMI and sociodemographic characteristics among health employees who worked in health and medical care centers. The study was a population-based cross-sectional survey of 170 health employees (55 men and 115 women) in Binaloud, Iran. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of a self-administered Multidimensional Body-Self Image Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and stages of change scales. The full version of Marcus-TTM based on the stages of physical activity changes was used based on 5 items related to regular physical activity behavior and intentions. There were no significant differences between men and women in total body image score, body area satisfaction, and attitude. Disease orientation (p = 0.02) and health orientation (p = 0.05) were the only significant differences between men and women. The number of children, level of education, BMI, and PA had a stronger influence on body image concerns and body dissatisfaction. PA and 7 of the 10 subclasses of MBSRQ (appearance evaluation, fitness evaluation, fitness orientation, health evaluation, health orientation, and illness orientation) showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between participants in the five TTM stages. The ideal body image and body satisfaction may differ by the number of children, level of education, gender, BMI, and PA. Evidence from this study supports that participants' stages of change affect their physical activity and body image perception. This result suggests a need for conducting work/home place intervention to promote adults' body image perception and body area satisfaction based on the usage-specific stage under consideration.

Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes

ABSTRACT Affectionate touch (e.g. hugging, handholding) is an essential component of many intimate relationships and is a primary contributor to overall relationship satisfaction as well as sexual satisfaction. Affectionate touch is understood to be a form of non-verbal communication in which the giver is expressing positive feelings toward the receiver. Here, we propose that affectionate touch also positively impacts receivers’ body satisfaction, because affectionate touch is a positive message communicated toward the receiver’s body. In a cross-sectional sample of romantically partnered women (N = 1,156), we assessed the association between affectionate touch frequency and body satisfaction. We also investigated whether affectionate touch is associated with relationship/sexual satisfaction in part because touch helps to improve women’s evaluations of their own bodies. Our results showed that body satisfaction was a significant, partial mediator and a valid path through which affectionate touch shapes relationship quality. Receiving affectionate touch could bolster relationship satisfaction and self-perceptions among women. Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction amongst women, these results suggest that the underexplored associations between affectionate touch and body satisfaction may have significant impacts on a wide array of future empirical and applied research trajectories.

Family pressure and support on young adults' eating behaviors and body image: The role of gender

Families play a key role in establishing eating habits of children, yet whether families continue to influence eating behaviors of young adults remains an open question. It is also not clear whether associations between family variables (i.e., support and pressure) are similar for adult sons and daughters regarding eating pathology. The present cross-sectional study examined family correlates on disordered eating, body satisfaction, and drive for muscularity. The aim was to examine the associations of family support and family pressure with eating pathology, and to determine whether gender moderated the associations. Among 365 undergraduates (Mage = 18.9 years, 62 % Caucasian, 48 % female), neither family pressure nor family support were significantly associated with the drive for muscularity, whereas both were associated with disordered eating, and family pressure was associated with body satisfaction. Gender moderated the relationship of family pressure and body satisfaction (p = 0.03) and, unexpectedly, the relationship of family support and disordered eating (p = 0.02). Contrary to prediction, family pressure had stronger associations with body satisfaction for men (i.e., men had a more robust association (beta = −0.31, p < .001) than women (beta = −0.19, p = 0.004)). For women, the relationship of family support and disordered eating was not significant (beta = 0.07, p = 0.452); but, was significant for men (beta = −0.25, p < .001). These findings suggest that family pressure and support are associated with eating pathology among young adults, and that in some instances the associations were larger for men, thus highlighting the importance of including men in eating pathology research. Pending replication, these results suggest that family attitudes, behaviors, and support may be necessary topics to address when designing prevention programs for young adults.

Strike a pose: Immediate effects of a model-created social media literacy video on body image and mood

Exposure to idealized social media imagery has been shown to be detrimental to body image among young women, and social media literacy may be protective. This mixed methods study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online video narrated by a high-profile, plus-size model on the body image and negative mood of young women and predictors of the effects. A sample of 304 young women, average age 20.95 (SD = 2.09) years, completed an online survey including pre- and post-exposure measures of state body image and negative mood, and trait measures of upward social media appearance comparison, thin-ideal internalization, and selfie-investment. A subset (n = 148) responded to open-ended questions to obtain feedback on the video coded categorically and through thematic analysis. Findings revealed immediate improvements in state body satisfaction and negative mood, with higher levels of trait appearance comparison and selfie investment associated with smaller effects of the video. Participants endorsed the video as raising awareness of unrealistic images but limited in terms of mitigating appearance comparison and selfie-investment. Furthermore, participants described that Iskra's status as a professional model also influenced their reactions. These findings highlight the importance of assessing for unintended paradoxical effects of social media literacy efforts and ensuring that such interventions are empirically based.

LOVE YOUR BODY! THE ROLE OF BODY SATISFACTION IN YOUTH LIFE SATISFACTION

This study aims to determine the relationship between body satisfaction and youth life satisfaction. Sampling was carried out using a non-probability sampling technique in Jabodetabek on 266 adolescents, with an age range of 13-21 years. The measuring instruments in this study are the Adolescent Body Image Satisfaction Scale (ABISS) by Leone, Mullin, Maurer-Starks, &amp; Rovito (2014) to measure the level of body satisfaction and The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) scale compiled by Diener, Emmons , Larsen, and Griffin to measure the level of life satisfaction. Analysis of Pearson Correlation showed that there is a significant negative relationship between body satisfaction and life satisfaction in adolescents, both in the dimensions of body competence (r=-0.420), body innadequate (-0.319) and (-0.169), which means the more individuals are dissatisfied with the body, the more dissatisfied he is with his life. The results of this study are expected to be one of the considerations for educational institutions or the community, especially adolescents so that they can receive, maintain and feel satisfied with their bodies so that they can increase satisfaction with their lives, where life satisfaction is very important in the process of optimizing adolescent development.

(293) Observed Relationship Between Testosterone Levels and Perceived Body Image

Abstract Introduction A positively perceived body image is an important part of one’s conception of oneself and one’s own identity, abilities, and worth. Past research has shown an inverse relationship between testosterone concentration and one’s sense of self, as manifested by increased depression. We hypothesized, therefore, that a subjectively negative self-image would be associated with the objective findings of hypogonadism (low testosterone). Objective To investigate the relationship between one’s own serum testosterone and a personal assessment of one’s body image and satisfaction. Methods An electronic survey was delivered through REDCap to patients at our urology clinic with a recent testosterone value documented in the observation interval 1/1/2020-12/31/2022. The survey included components of the following validated surveys: the Self-Rated Bodily Attractiveness Survey, the Male Body Image Self-Conscious Scale, and the Body Esteem Scale. Specifically, we asked each patient about their perceived bodily attractiveness as it pertains to sexual intercourse as well as specific inquiries about feelings towards specific body parts. Each answer choice corresponded to a five-point Likert-Scale, enabling respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement. We then retrospectively recorded the most recent testosterone value recorded in each respondent’s electronic medical record. T-tests were utilized to compare testosterone values for men with high versus low survey scores using SPSS. Results The men who reported a positive cumulative body image score from the survey had an average testosterone of 749.15 ng/dL, whereas men who had a negative body image score from our survey had an average testosterone of 340.67 ng/dL. Importantly, these testosterone values were statistically significant from each other, as indicated by a t-value of 2.58 and a p-value of .0095. To establish clear distinctions between the positive and negative body image cohorts, we set threshold scores for each group: the positive body image cohort was defined as individuals scoring at least 34 out of 45 (≥ 75%), while the negative body image cohort comprised those with scores no higher than 30 out of 45. Interestingly, there were no respondents whose cumulative scores fell within the range of 30 to 34. The positive body image cohort had an average score of 39.92 out of 45, while the negative body image cohort had an average score of 23.00 out of 45. Conclusions Based on our findings, it appears that men with hypogonadism, as characterized by low testosterone, may be more likely to experience a negative body image. This relationship is supported by this cohort’s response to several questionnaires addressing one’s own assessment of self-worth. Men with low testosterone versus eugonadal controls scored significantly lower in surveys addressing bodily attractiveness, male body image self-consciousness, and body esteem. These results highlight the relationship between low testosterone and body image, contributing to our understanding of the psychological factors that can influence well-being in men. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential implications and challenges faced by individuals with hypogonadism, addressing concurrently both their hormonal deficiencies and their negative sense of self. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Larry Lipshultz: AbbVie (Consultant) American Medical Systems/Boston Scientific (Speaker) Aytu BioScience (Consultant) Contraline, Inc. (Consultant) Endo Pharmaceuticals (Consultant/Speaker) Inherent Biosciences (Advisor) Lipocine (Consultant).

Measuring Body Image Guilt and Shame: Gender and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Perspective

Objectives. The goal of the current study was to investigate the association between bodily perception guilt together with shame, and aberrant eating patterns in adolescents. Differences across gender in the proposed relationship were also studied. Moderating role of gender between the study variables was also explored. Method. Disordered Eating Behavior Scale (Muazzam &amp; Khalid, 2011), Body Image Guilt and Shame Scale (Thompson et al., 2003), with a demographic table was employed for collecting data among 316 teenagers using convenience sampling method that included educational institutes of District Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Phase I of the study's four phases comprises the conversion and modification of Body Image Guilt and Shame Scale (Thompson et al., 2003). Results. The results in the present study indicated that aberrant eating behaviors are importantly positively connection to bodily perception guilt and shame. According to the results, boys experience more bodily perception guilt and shame as compared to girls. Conclusion. The present study concluded that body satisfaction should be promoted among adolescents in order to prevent them from body related guilt and shame, and disordered eating behaviors that consequently enhances their psychological well-being.

Cognitive reappraisal moderates the protective effect of body satisfaction on mental health and wellbeing in adults: A prospective study during COVID-19 lockdown

BackgroundBody satisfaction is associated with mental health and well-being in adults. However, prospective studies are needed to better understand its protective effects, and in whom these are most beneficial. This study investigated body satisfaction as a predictor of depressive symptoms, generalised anxiety, and well-being in a representative Australian sample collected during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Two emotion regulation strategies – cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression – were also tested as moderating variables. MethodsThe sample comprised 684 adults aged 19 to 87 years who completed three primary waves of data spanning two months [Wave 3 (W3), W4 and W7] from the Australian National COVID-19 Mental Health, Behaviour and Risk Communication Survey. ResultsHierarchical multiple regression models controlling for demographic and COVID-19 risk factors, as well as W3 for each outcome variable, indicated that W3 body satisfaction predicted greater W7 well-being, and fewer W7 depressive symptoms and greater W7 well-being in participants reporting low levels of W4 cognitive reappraisal. No moderation for W4 expressive suppression was observed, nor predictive relationships between W3 body satisfaction and W7 anxiety. LimitationsThe two-month follow-up period precludes conclusions relating to the longer-term protective effects of body satisfaction within and beyond the pandemic context. Examination of focal relationships in clinical samples, and inclusion of broader indices of body image, emotion regulation and mental health, is needed in future studies. ConclusionsFindings suggest body satisfaction warrants attention in community well-being promotion in adults, and may be particularly beneficial for those lack adaptive emotion regulation strategies.

Physical Attraction Measured Through a Body Figure Scale in an Age of Changing Body Ideals

There is a substantial body of research that uses figure rating scales for personal body image assessment and satisfaction. The aim of this research was to determine the difference in attractiveness of physical body image by age of men and women. 460 participants who were representative of the population of a major Australian regional city were sampled using face-to-face interviews and a computer-based figure rating scales survey tool. Women were found likely to identify thin images of women as more attractive to men; and men were found likely to identify more muscular images of men as more attractive to women. These findings replicate similar studies and have implications for clinical treatments related to body image, eating disorders, and compulsive exercise.

Assessment of Patients' Quality-of-Life Post-Thyroidectomy.

The assessment of quality of life (QOL) after thyroidectomy has been a focus of medical research, aiming to understand its impact on patients' overall well-being and functional status. Studies have examined the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of QOL, providing valuable insights into the outcomes of thyroidectomy and improving patient care.The aim of the study is to evaluate the long-term impact of different aspects of patients' quality of life post-thyroidectomy. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Taif City and included 100 participants post-thyroidectomy. Data were collected from medical records and telephone interviews using the modified Arabic version of the EROTC QLQ-H&N43 questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.2. The majority of the 100 participants were female (76%), and most were over 50 years old (38%). The types of surgery performed included hemithyroidectomy (36%), subtotal thyroidectomy (6%), and total thyroidectomy (58%). Participants reported difficulties related to their senses, body satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, eating, speaking, and social interactions. Pain in the mouth and jaw, as well as swallowing difficulties, showed variations among the surgery groups. Other symptoms, such as tooth problems, dry mouth, and swelling in the neck, did not differ significantly among the groups. Numbness in the hands or feet was associated with a subtotal or total thyroidectomy. Difficulties with enjoying meals, eating in front of others, and communication issues showed variations among the surgery groups. This study provided insights into the QOL of thyroidectomy survivors in Taif City. Participants reported challenges related to sensory, body, and sexual issues, as well as difficulties with eating, speaking, and social interactions. The findings highlight the need for interventions and support to address these challenges and optimize the QOL of thyroidectomy patients. Furthermore, research is warranted to explore specific factors contributing to these difficulties and to develop targeted interventions for better patient outcomes.

Does body positivity work for men as it does for women? The impact of idealized body and body positive imagery on body satisfaction, drive for thinness, and drive for muscularity

Exposure to body-positive imagery plays a positive role in women's body image. However, literature has not examined if this is the case for men too. In this study (N = 207), we examined the impact of idealized body and body-positive imagery on both men's and women's body satisfaction and body image concerns. Participants were asked to report their positive and negative mood, body satisfaction, drive for thinness, and drive for muscularity before and after being exposed to either control (landscapes and animals), idealized body, or body-positive imagery. Results showed that women were overall more dissatisfied with their bodies and reported a stronger negative mood and a higher drive for thinness than men. Men, instead, reported a higher drive for muscularity. Exposure to idealized body imagery decreased positive mood and body satisfaction in both men and women. In contrast, exposure to body-positive imagery increased body satisfaction and decreased the drive for thinness in both men and women. Drive for muscularity was not affected by the type of imagery. The findings show that idealized body and body-positive imagery have similar effects on men and women and showcase the importance of considering the effects of body-positivity content for both genders.

Physical Activity, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Body Dissatisfaction in Physical Education of Extremadura Adolescents: An Exploratory Study.

In recent years, physical activity levels among youths have declined significantly. This has led to a decline in adherence to physical activity recommendations. In this sense, physical education offers an ideal environment that contributes positively to improving adherence to physical activity recommendations, as it teaches students movement-related skills and knowledge. The objective of the present research was to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels, body composition, fitness in Physical Education, and body dissatisfaction levels, and to analyse sex differences in relation to the study variables. The sample was formed of 1166 participants from the 1st and 2nd secondary compulsory education, of which 642 were boys (age 13.16 ± 0.91), and 524 girls (age 13.08 ± 0.85). The measure of physical activity was the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Body composition was assessed using weight and height to calculate their body mass index. Cardiorespiratory capacity was assessed using the Course-Navette test in Physical Education lessons. The results showed the relationship between physical activity and body mass index, cardiorespiratory capacity, and body satisfaction. It was also confirmed that higher levels of physical activity were associated with a lower body mass index, improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower levels of body dissatisfaction to a greater extent in boys than in girls. The study concludes that improvements in the study variables were associated with increased physical activity. In addition, it seems necessary to promote healthy lifestyles in physical education lessons, especially during adolescence, as they could serve as a gateway for the improvement of health-related fitness in future generations. Increasing the amount of physical activity among young people is vital. Therefore, it would be essential to develop intervention programs in physical education classes, especially during adolescence, aimed at promoting and increasing physical activity and its benefits.

On liking how you look and feeling sexy: Quantifying the overlap between sexual desirability and body satisfaction in a sample of Australian Grindr users

The body image field aims to cultivate positive body image. To do so, it must appreciate factors contributing to positive body image. Sexual desirability is one such factor. Using experience sampling data from Australian Grindr users, we aimed to quantify the overlap between sexual desirability and body satisfaction. We found sexual desirability and body satisfaction correlated strongly between- (r = .90) and within-persons (rMedian =.60). Using dynamic structural equation modeling, we analyzed 238 participants' data (T = 9058), finding that sexual desirability and body satisfaction were bidirectionally related – previous sexual desirability predicted current body satisfaction (β = 0.22) and vice versa (β = 0.17). Participants’ average body satisfaction tended to be higher when sexual desirability contributed more to body satisfaction (r = .31) and was more stable across time (r = .19). We found sexual desirability and body satisfaction overlap considerably and that sexual desirability may contribute more to body satisfaction than vice versa. Our results suggest that (1) sexual desirability and its dynamics across time influence body satisfaction, and (2) research on sexual desirability and its relationship with body image should be a focus for the field. We discuss avenues for future research on sexual desirability.

Media Literacy Practices to Prevent Obesity and Eating Disorders in Youth.

Obesity and eating disorders share common issues related to media use and effects, especially in the USA. Current research increasingly demonstrates that media literacy can address this problem. This narrative review highlights current media literacy-based research for obesity and eating disorder prevention among youth. Current research using media literacy techniques to prevent obesity indicates that these interventions improve nutrition outcomes, improve family communication about food, improve critical thinking about food advertisements, reduce sugar and fat intake, and reduce screen use for parents and youth. In addition, eating disorder research reveals that media literacy techniques lead to higher scores of body satisfaction and self-esteem, with lower scores of perfectionism, thinness, and ideal masculinity. There is a need for media literacy-based interventions to focus on family communication to prevent obesity and eating disorders. Furthermore, there should be more focus on identified levels of prevention and specific clinical outcomes.

#workoutathome: How Instructions in the Captions of Fitfluencers’ Posts Impact Adolescents’ Body Satisfaction and Intention to Exercise

ABSTRACT The present study examines how content of fitfluencers can be employed to improve body satisfaction and intention to exercise among adolescents. Specifically, this experimental study (N = 114 adolescents, age: 16–18) compares the effects of fitfluencer content with instructional captions that contain exercise or workout instructions (as a form of edutainment) with those of self-focused fitfluencer captions that emphasize the fitfluencer’s appearance. These two types of captions are found to induce no significant differences in either body satisfaction or intention to exercise. In addition, there were no significant indirect effects via state appearance comparison or self-efficacy. The results do show that less state appearance comparisons increase body satisfaction, and that more self-efficacy increases body satisfaction and intention to exercise. The results suggest that instructions in fitfluencer captions do not differ from self-focused captions in their effects on body satisfaction and intention to exercise among adolescents.