Do you follow #fitspo?
The popular “fitspo” hashtag on Instagram could actually influence you to be less fit, more dissatisfied with your body, and less happy overall.
A study examined the effect of “fitspiration” images viewed via Instagram on mood, body dissatisfaction, and exercise behavior in young women.1 The 108 female participants were between the ages of 17-25 years old.
The results showed that exposure to the “fitspiration” images led to significantly greater negative mood and significantly greater body dissatisfaction compared to participants who viewed travel images. Participants who viewed fitspiration content also reported higher levels of exertion but did not travel farther on a treadmill in 10 mins compared with controls. The authors point out that a higher rate of perceived exertion, without physically working harder, may actually result in lower fitness levels.
Fitspiration, or #fitspo, currently has 72.7 million Instagram posts. Pew research shows that 72% of Americans use social media and 35% use Instagram.
It is important to have research that demonstrates how certain aspects of social media can be toxic to young women. Viewing fitspo images leads to self-comparison with people in highly posed, angled, and filtered states, which does not represent real life. Self-comparison to a standard that doesn’t exist is a lose-lose-lose situation for young women’s self-esteem, psychological well-being, and fitness. Plus, the authors noted that #fitspo images are often sexualized and objectify the female body, leading to self-objectification by young female athletes.
Also, as the authors point out, using appearance as motivation to exercise, rather than health or function, increases the risk of body dissatisfaction. Using appearance as the goal of exercise can feed into relying on exercise to feel valued, confident, and worthy of others’ attention. This can spiral into hypervigilance about exercising everyday, even if resting is more beneficial to your well-being. This can set you up for health conditions like Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), the female athlete triad, overtraining syndrome, or even exercise addiction.2
Studies like #fitspo exist because female runners often face a steeper hill than males in terms of social expectation in sport. Female runners often feel internal and external pressure to not only run well, but to look good while doing it. Female runners usually face more criticism about their bodies than male runners do. Professional runner Kara Goucher shared that every coach she has ever had suggested she lose weight. (Note: Goucher is a multiple NCAA champion, finished 3rd in the 2009 Boston Marathon, and has a marathon PR of 2:24. She’s amazing.)
In fact, research shows that girls begin to drop out of sport around the onset of puberty, a trend not seen in adolescent boys. A study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that three-quarters of the 2,089 girls ages 11-18 surveyed said they have at least one breast-related concern regarding sports and exercise. Simply put, as cup size increases, physical activity decreases.3 Body image is something girls begin dealing with at a young age. Adolescent girls need emotional support, resources, and education about their bodies. This understanding of their bodies can in turn foster empowerment in women’s sports. Instead, what young girls are often getting is exposure to #fitspo ideals and the detrimental effects that come along with it.
Lastly, it’s been studied that campaigns that depict diverse bodies actively moving lead to greater appearance satisfaction and exercise intentions.4 So why are we exposing ourselves and young women to #fitso?
I rest my case. #fitspo is #sh*tspo. UNFOLLOW.
- Prichard I, Kavanagh E, Mulgrew K, Lim M, Tiggemann M. The effect of Instagram #fitspiration images on young women’s mood, body image, and exercise behaviour. Body Image. 2020;33:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.02.002
- Hausenblas H, Schreiber K, Smoliga J. Addiction to exercise. BMJ. 2017:j1745. doi:10.1136/bmj.j1745
- Scurr J, Brown N, Smith J, Brasher A, Risius D, Marczyk A. The Influence of the Breast on Sport and Exercise Participation in School Girls in the United Kingdom. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2016;58(2):167-173. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.005
- Mulgrew K, McCulloch K, Farren E, Prichard I, Lim M. This girl can #jointhemovement: Effectiveness of physical functionality-focused campaigns for women’s body satisfaction and exercise intent. Body Image. 2018;24:26-35. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.11.007
Dr. Katie Noble, PT, DPT, SCS 