Differences in Body Image Preoccupation Following Online Exposure to Fitspiration and Thinspiration Images

An emerging body of literature argues how social media significantly shapes behaviours and perceptions related to body image. The main aims of the present study were two: (1) to examine the influence of online exposure to fitspiration and thinspiration images on body image preoccupation in women and men, and (2) to explore the influence of online exposure to these images on appearance-related pressures and the internalization of esthetic ideals by family, peers and traditional media in women and men. A total of 238 subjects (120 women and 118 men) participated in this study. They completed two questionnaires before and after online exposure to fitspiration and thinspiration images. One questionnaire measured body image preoccupation and another one evaluated sociocultural pressure towards body image. The results indicated that exposure to such images negatively affected men’s body image preoccupation and positively affected women’s body image preoccupation. Both groups reduced their adherence to sociocultural attitudes promoting extreme thinness as a beauty standard. Men exhibited increased perceived media-related appearance pressure; women showed no significant change in this variable. This study suggests sex-based results and supports the importance of investigating specifically body image preoccupation to distinguish gender differences related to fitspiration and thinspiration online contents.