How Fitness Influencers Impact Male & Female Body Image Differently

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

In today’s digital age, fitness influencers on Instagram can massively influence our perceptions of beauty and body image. However, the impact of these idealized images differs between men and women. In this series, we’ve been exploring how men respond to the top male fitness influencers and famous bodybuilders on Instagram, but it’s equally important to understand the impact social media can have on body image satisfaction in women.

In this article, we review a study by Marika Tiggemann and Isabella Anderberg to explore the contrasting effects of Instagram influencers on men’s and women’s body image issues, shedding light on how the genders differ in response to idealized body images.

Research on Instagram and Men’s Body Image

The research article “Muscles and bare chests on Instagram: The effect of Influencers’ fashion and fitspiration images on men’s body image“, investigates the impact of Instagram influencers’ images on men’s body satisfaction. The study involved 300 male participants aged 18 to 30 years. Said participants were exposed to three types of images: clothed fashion images, bare-chested fitspiration images, and scenery control images.

The purpose of the study

The study’s primary aim was to assess how these different types of images influence body satisfaction among men. By exposing participants to various stimuli, including images commonly encountered on social media platforms like Instagram, the researchers aimed to understand how men respond to idealized body representations.

Methodology

Through rigorous methodology and careful selection of image types, including pictures of typical “perfect bodies”, the study provides valuable insights into the effects of Instagram influencers’ images on men’s body satisfaction. The exploration offered a valuable contribution to the broader conversation about body image and social media influence.

Key Concepts of the Study

To properly understand the study, you first must understand the core concepts that drive its findings.

Social Comparison Theory

Social Comparison Theory, not to be confused with Appearance Comparison Tendency as touched on in our last blog, posits that individuals assess their attributes, abilities, and beliefs by comparing themselves to others. In the context of body image issues, this theory suggests that people evaluate their bodies based on comparisons with others, particularly those they perceive as similar or desirable. These comparisons occur upward, where individuals compare themselves to those perceived as superior, and downward, where they compare themselves to those perceived as inferior.

Typical Gender Differences in Social Comparison Theory

Gender differences can massively impact how Social Comparison Theory manifests in body image. Traditional research indicates that women tend to engage in more frequent and intense appearance-related comparisons than men. Popular opinion regularly states that women compare themselves to idealized images portrayed in media, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. In contrast, many believe that men tend to engage in less appearance-based comparison; although, as the study in our last blog showed, societal ideals of muscularity and attractiveness still influence their self-perception.

Muscular-Ideal Internalization

Muscular-Ideal Internalization, as we touched on in the last piece, refers to the degree to which individuals internalize societal standards of muscularity as personal goals. In the context of body image research, this reflects how many men and women will incorporate the societal emphasis on muscularity into their own beliefs and aspirations. Previous studies have suggested that higher levels of muscular-ideal internalization are associated with greater body dissatisfaction, particularly among men.

However, in the current study, it appeared that muscular-ideal internalization was not the defining factor in body image satisfaction when viewing different images. This finding suggests that other factors may play a more significant role in determining how men respond to idealized body representations on social media.

Key findings

The key findings of the study by Tiggemann and Anderberg reveal insights into how different types of images influence men’s body satisfaction:

Body Satisfaction Impact

Response to Bare-Chested Muscular Images: Bare-chested and muscular images significantly decreased body satisfaction among men, indicating that exposure to more explicitly idealized male body images on Instagram negatively affects men’s perceptions of their bodies.

Response to Clothed & Scenery: Interestingly, there was no significant difference in body satisfaction between the clothed fashion images and scenery images, suggesting that clothed images don’t impact men’s body satisfaction the same way as muscularity.

Comparison and Motivation

Social Comparison: Clothed fashion and bare-chested fitspiration images did not differ in inspiring appearance-based social comparison, or exercise and healthy eating. This suggests that regardless of whether the men were presented with idealized or clothed male bodies, they engaged in similar levels of social comparison and motivation to improve their health.

Motivational Goals: Viewing both types of images increased motivation to exercise and eat healthily compared to scenery images. Moreover, fashion images increased the desire to buy new clothes and travel, indicating that exposure to fashion-related content on Instagram can influence men’s consumer behavior and aspirations.

Facial Satisfaction

Impact on Men: Interestingly, the type of images viewed did not significantly affect facial satisfaction in men. This suggests that while idealized male bodies may negatively impact body satisfaction, they may not have the same effect on internalized perceptions of facial attractiveness.

These findings underscore the varied influence of idealized male body images on Instagram on men’s body satisfaction, and motivation to engage in health behaviors and consumer activities.

Gender differences in response

The results of the study shed light on distinct gender differences in response to idealized body images on Instagram, highlighting how men and women react differently:

Women’s Response to Perfect Bodies:

Bare and Clothed Bodies: Women in the study seemed to experience decreased body satisfaction regardless of whether the idealized images depict bare or clothed bodies. This suggests that women might be more sensitive when it comes to exposure to idealized images triggering negative feelings.

Facial Satisfaction: Interestingly, only women in the study experienced decreased facial satisfaction after seeing perfect bodies. This indicates that idealized body images not only affect women’s perceptions of their bodies but also influence their overall self-perception.

Comparison Tendencies: Women generally compare themselves with others more than men after viewing idealized images of male or female fitness influencers. This finding aligns with the overarching beliefs of social comparison theory, which suggests that individuals determine their worth based on comparisons with others. The findings of this study and its reference pieces indicate that women may be more prone to this behavior in the context of body image.

Lesser Social Comparison in Men

Men might engage less in social comparison after viewing idealized images compared to women, while still having some serious reactions to bare-chested physiques. This is likely due to societal norms around masculinity, where men may feel less pressure to compare themselves with others in the context of body image and particularly with faces. Additionally, men may have different comparison behaviors influenced by factors such as a perception of competition and dominance rather than appearance alone.

Overall, these gender differences underscore the complex interplay between societal norms, self-perception, and exposure to idealized body images on Instagram.

Discussion

The findings of the study have several implications for both men and women in terms of their mental health, body image, and social media usage

For Men

The negative impact of exposure to bare-chested fitspiration images on men’s body satisfaction highlights the importance of understanding how idealized representations of masculinity on social media can affect men’s mental well-being. Men may experience pressure to attain unrealistic muscular ideals, especially when faced with topless pictures, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with their bodies. However, it’s important to note that these feelings can manifest positive behaviors and motivation, rather than solely a negative self-perception.

For Women

The study underscores the pervasive influence of idealized images on women’s body satisfaction and the societal pressures they face to compare themselves to unrealistic standards. The impact of clothed images on their self-perception indicates greater sensitivity and a tendency to internalize comparisons. This likely stems from being raised in a culture where female beauty standards are harsher and more prevalent than their male equivalents.

Conclusion

The study by Tiggemann and Anderberg sheds light on the differential impact of idealized images on men’s and women’s body satisfaction, highlighting key insights into gender-specific responses to social media content, such as engaging with fitness influencers.

In general, it showed that men tend to be more affected by bare-chested and muscular images, aligning with traditional ideals of masculinity and muscular ideals; women often experience decreased body satisfaction regardless of the attire on the idealized bodies. This underscores the complex interplay between societal norms, gender expectations, and the individual’s body image.

Understanding these differences is crucial to promoting positive body image and mental well-being among men and women. We encourage critical engagement with online content, allowing people to find its positivity rather than feeling dissatisfied as a primary response.

And that concludes our three-part series investigating the impact of Instagram fitness influencers and bodybuilders on men and women. Keep your eyes peeled for our next exploration of academic research in physical fitness and sport.

Reference

Tiggemann, M., & Anderberg, I. (2020). Muscles and bare chests on Instagram: The effect of Influencers’ fashion and fitspiration images on men’s body image. Body Image, 35, 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.10.001