The Impact of Fitspiration Content on Body Satisfaction and Negative Mood: An Experimental Study

Young adult women are particularly vulnerable to body image problems and disordered eating. Instagram trends, such as fitspiration (fitness inspiration), promote the "thin ideal" and appearance-based diets and exercises. The present study investigated how fitspiration content impacts state body satisfaction and negative mood in female college students. Participants consisted of 283 female college students who were randomized into three groups of Instagram content: a fitspiration group (fitspiration images only), a half fitspiration and half travel group (fitspiration and travel images), and a control group (travel images). Participants completed visual analog scales on state body satisfaction and state negative mood before and after Instagram exposure. State body satisfaction significantly decreased and state negative mood increased in the fitspiration and half and half groups postexposure; on the other hand, state body satisfaction significantly increased and state negative mood decreased in the control group postexposure. Therefore, even partial exposure to fitspiration negatively impacted state body satisfaction and state negative mood. The fitspiration group also had significantly lower state body satisfaction and higher state negative mood than the control group postexposure. These results can inform education about the impact of fitspiration on the psychological health of female college students. Public Policy Relevance Statement The present study found that even partial exposure to fitspiration negatively impacted body satisfaction and negative mood in young adult women, indicating the sensitivity of individuals to fitspiration messaging. There is a need for programming, such as the use of infographics, discussions and online messaging about the effects that these images can have on women.