Add a comment … how fitspiration and body positive captions attached to social media images influence the mood and body esteem of young female Instagram users

The present study examined the impact of writing different types of comments in response to fitspiration (fitness inspiration) images on women’s body dissatisfaction and negative affect. Women (N = 256) from the general population (age range: 18 to 49) were randomized to write one of three types of comments on the same fitspiration images: appearance (comment on the woman’s appearance), functionality (comment on what the woman’s body can do), or background (comment on the image background). Participants completed measures of state body dissatisfaction and negative affect pre- and post-exposure and measures of appearance comparison and functionality appreciation post-exposure. After controlling for pre-body dissatisfaction due to a baseline difference among groups, there was no difference among groups in body dissatisfaction at post-exposure. Negative affect decreased from pre- to post-exposure across all groups, but there was no difference by group or interaction by time and group. The background group reported lower state appearance comparison than the appearance group. There were no group differences in functionality appreciation. Our results suggest that commenting on image backgrounds might decrease appearance comparison relative to making appearance comments and that writing comments on appearance, functionality, or the background in response to fitspiration may be beneficial for mood.

The possible means and value of embedding micro-interventions into social media to counteract the negative effects of appearance-focused content on female body image are explored. Two studies, with young adult females, examine users' experiences on social media and evaluate users' reactions to prototype digital body image messages embedded within Instagram. In Study One, 20 in-depth interviews explored Instagram users' feelings and experiences of body image online. Thematic analysis was used to assess users’ browsing behaviours and preferences when using Instagram, and to identify those experiences and features of the platform that might be harmful to body image or which might provide opportunities for intervention. In Study Two, the findings of Study One were used to inform the design of potential micro-interventions that could be embedded within everyday use of the platform. Three types of prototype body image message: appearance-related self-compassion, humorous or factual messages were tested with 192 participants. Appearance-related self-compassion and humour-themed messages were rated as being significantly more likely to be read, as being more emotionally positive, and having greater perceived effectiveness for protecting body image than factual messages or neutral images. Such messages were perceived to work by influencing beliefs about appearance ideals and appearance-based comparison.

Viewing body-positive content on social media can benefit women's body image. Previous research has conceptualised body positivity broadly, and therefore it remains unclear whether some components are more useful than others. This study examined the impact of body appreciation or body functionality messages (in addition to a mixed condition) overlaid across different image types to influence women’s body image. Young women (17–30 years, M_age = 21.53, N = 308) completed an online survey in which they were randomised to view either fitspiration or diverse images overlaid with messaging focusing on body appreciation, body functionality, or a combination. Participants completed pre- and post-test measures of appearance and functionality satisfaction, body appreciation, and body objectification / conceptualisation. Post-test measures of social comparison and perceptions of models were also taken. Results showed that message type did not interact with image type. Rather, exposure to diverse images increased appearance satisfaction and body appreciation, with no changes to functionality satisfaction (vs a decrease for the fitspiration condition). All conditions improved in self-objectification. Further, diverse images resulted in more favourable social comparisons. Our findings consider body positive content in a controlled way and show no differences across body appreciation or body functionality themes.

The aim of this study was to provide a definition for body neutrality and understand the key strategies recommended to improve body neutrality for testing in future interventions. There is minimal academic literature on body neutrality and thus this study focused on examining websites where the concept has been discussed for some time. This was achieved using a realist synthesis of websites and a common elements approach to extract the key definition elements of body neutrality, strategies to improve body neutrality, in addition to the common critiques of both the body positivity and body neutrality movements. The initial search found 175 websites, of which 107 were included in the final synthesis, and common elements analysis followed after removal of duplicates and ineligible websites. Three elements, with several sub-elements, best operationalised the definition of body neutrality. Six strategies were found for development of a body neutrality intervention. This innovative study paves the way for rigorous evaluation of body neutrality. Recommendations for future work are provided, including the use of current measures, creating a new measure, and evaluating prevention and intervention programs including Single Session Interventions (SSIs).

Appearance-focused images on social media are thought to be particularly detrimental for body image. However, social media sites can also be used to encourage positive health behaviours. Three linked experiments with 620 Instagram users explored the protective capabilities of appearance-related self-compassion and appearance-related humorous messages for women’s body image during Instagram use. Using simulated Instagram browsing tasks, participants were exposed to a set of fitspiration Instagram posts mixed with either self-compassion or humorous body image messages, or appearance-neutral images. Results indicated that appearance-related self-compassion and humorous messages were not more effective at protecting against negative appearance and life satisfaction outcomes than appearance-neutral images, and did not influence appearance comparison (Experiment 1), even when the personal relevance to participants’ health was reinforced through experimental manipulation (Experiment 2). Rather, the presence of any image which did not contain pictures of women, regardless of image content, led to improved body image outcomes compared to exposure to fitspiration images alone (Experiment 3). Interpersonal factors such as the similarity of a female target’s appearance also influenced the nature of comparisons made. The study highlights the importance of diluting appearance-focused content with other social media images in ongoing research practice and for user well-being.

Body positivity – often referenced on social media as “#BoPo” – encourages acceptance towards all body types, including one's own body, and challenges the societal ideal of the very thin body. The current study examined whether viewing body-positive TikTok content improves state mood and body satisfaction. Participants were female undergraduate students (N = 156) who completed an online study where they were randomly assigned to view either body-positive, body-focused, or control TikTok videos for five minutes. Before and after viewing the TikTok content, participants completed questionnaire items to assess state affect and body satisfaction alongside other variables. Mixed between-within subject ANOVAs demonstrated that participants in the body-positive condition experienced an increase in body satisfaction and a decrease in negative affect after viewing the body-positive TikTok videos. In contrast, those in the body-focused condition experienced a decline in body satisfaction and positive affect and an increase in negative affect. This study provides preliminary evidence that TikTok content may be used as a positive outlet for body image, depending on the type of content being viewed.