Objectifying Fitness: A content and thematic analysis of #Fitspiration images on social media

TY - JOUR

T1 - Objectifying Fitness

T2 - A content and thematic analysis of #Fitspiration images on social media

AU - Deighton-Smith, Nova

AU - Bell, Beth T.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 American Psychological Association.

PY - 2018/10

Y1 - 2018/10

N2 - Research suggests that exposure to #fitspiration content can result in increased body dissatisfaction. Employing a data-driven approach, the present study examines the nature of images and text contained within #fitspiration posts on social media. First, a content analysis of images labeled as #fitspiration on popular site Instagram (N = 1,000) was performed. People featured in 52% of images, of which nearly 90% of individuals were coded as having low body fat and 55% were coded as muscular. Individuals were typically presented in sexually objectified ways, which varied as a function of gender. Second, a thematic analysis of text from the same set of images (N = 400) was conducted to identify common themes and underlying meaning embedded within the messages. Six themes were developed: (a) Fit is sexy, (b) A "fit" physique requires commitment and self-regulation, (c) Your choices define you, (d) Pleasure and perseverance through pain, (e) Battle of the selves: You versus you, and (f) Here's to us! A celebration of a community. In combination, the analyses demonstrate how text and images found in #fitspiration posts perpetuate pervading sociocultural appearance ideals for men and women, positioning exercise as means to achieving these ideals. Furthermore, #fitspiration sexually objectifies the fit body, with text and images encouraging self-objectification and the distancing of the self from internal bodily functions in physical activity settings. Future research should focus on how #fitspiration content influences individuals in relation to how they think and feel about their body and physical activity.

AB - Research suggests that exposure to #fitspiration content can result in increased body dissatisfaction. Employing a data-driven approach, the present study examines the nature of images and text contained within #fitspiration posts on social media. First, a content analysis of images labeled as #fitspiration on popular site Instagram (N = 1,000) was performed. People featured in 52% of images, of which nearly 90% of individuals were coded as having low body fat and 55% were coded as muscular. Individuals were typically presented in sexually objectified ways, which varied as a function of gender. Second, a thematic analysis of text from the same set of images (N = 400) was conducted to identify common themes and underlying meaning embedded within the messages. Six themes were developed: (a) Fit is sexy, (b) A "fit" physique requires commitment and self-regulation, (c) Your choices define you, (d) Pleasure and perseverance through pain, (e) Battle of the selves: You versus you, and (f) Here's to us! A celebration of a community. In combination, the analyses demonstrate how text and images found in #fitspiration posts perpetuate pervading sociocultural appearance ideals for men and women, positioning exercise as means to achieving these ideals. Furthermore, #fitspiration sexually objectifies the fit body, with text and images encouraging self-objectification and the distancing of the self from internal bodily functions in physical activity settings. Future research should focus on how #fitspiration content influences individuals in relation to how they think and feel about their body and physical activity.

KW - #fitspiration content

KW - Body image

KW - Fitness

KW - Objectification

KW - Social media

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047021750&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1037/ppm0000143

DO - 10.1037/ppm0000143

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85047021750

SN - 2160-4134

VL - 7

SP - 467

EP - 483

JO - Psychology of Popular Media Culture

JF - Psychology of Popular Media Culture

IS - 4

ER -