An international cross-sectional investigation on social media, fitspiration content exposure, and related risks during the COVID-19 self-isolation period

Abstract

With the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments from many countries in the world implemented various restrictions to prevent the SARS-Cov-2 virus's spread, including social distancing measures, quarantine, in-home lockdown, and the closure of services and public spaces. This led to an in-creased use of social media platforms to make people feel more connected, but also to maintain physical activity while self-isolating. Concerns about physical appearance and the desire to keep or reach a muscular and toned ideal body, might have further reinforced the engagement in fitness-related social media activities, like sharing progresses in training achievements or following more fitness contents on popular profiles. To better understand the underlying relation among these factors, the present study investigates 729 responses to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and their asso-ciation to social media usage and compares the results cross-culturally in five countries (Spain, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Japan, and Hungary). Findings highlight significant differences between males and females, espe-cially in regard to the time spent online ( U = 477.5, p = 0.036). Greater levels of appearance anxiety were associated with the exposure to fitness-related contents on social media. These results strongly confirm the previously highlighted association between fitspiration media and body image anxiety predominantly in females. Clinical implications and future considerations in terms of prevention and treatment in a situation of global emergency are also discussed.

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with Eating Disorders in Saudi Arabia: A Thematic Analysis

“…It is already known that social media plays a large part in shaping and predicting ED behaviours [33,34] due to their tendency to promote social comparison [35], particularly content that focused on "fitspiration" [36]. Within the context of COVID-19, it was found that exposure to fitness-related content on social media led to greater appearance anxiety during this period [37], thereby corroborating the present study findings.…”

#fitspiration: a comparison of the sport-related social media usage and its impact on body image in young adults

“…On social media they are literally looking for nutrition, health and fitness information whilst the focus often is on physical improvement. In line, the findings of a recent study by Cataldo et al [3] have revealed that, in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic, the social and fitness-related use of social media is significantly increased. Aside, the discussion about the socially embossed body ideal is omnipresent.…”

Effects of fitspiration content on body image: a systematic review

“…Seventeen studies showed that exposure to "fitspiration" images led to increased body dissatisfaction [ 15 , 18 , 36 – 46 , 48 – 50 , 56 ]. The study carried out by Krug et al demonstrated a neutral effect of fitspiration content on body image [ 45 ].…”

“…Findings demonstrate fitspiration was related to poorer body image perceptions among students. Weak Cataldo et al [ 56 ] Cross-sectional study 729 Participants (527 females; 202 males); mean age: 37,8 ± 11,68 years; Examine the role of social media influence as a possible factor contributing to a set of connected issues attributable to the fitspiration construct. 1.…”