‘‘Poppin’ bottles, getting wheysted.†Exploring young men’s engagement with fitspiration content and its consequential influences on attitudes and behaviour.
Lena Palmer
Abstract
This paper explores young males’ current interaction with fitspiration. Its focus resides in the experiences and behaviours of the users and the content’s influence on body satisfaction, exercise behaviour, and attitudes towards masculinity. Existing literature has focused on traditional media, its creation of ideals and its effects on body image. However it has also highlighted how online sphere growth creates space for identity exploration, and one’s ability to pick and choose their own media to suit personal goals and gratifications. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore phenomena, with findings from the interpretive study suggesting men are selective about fitspiration they access, and ideals portrayed in mainstream media do not trickle down through social media, due to the sheer range of identities portrayed in online discourse. However, it also recognises how new media maintains the ability to influence ideas about masculinity, encouraging men to compare physiques and personalities to those they see in fitspiration.References
Agliata, D. and Tantleff- Dunn., 2004. The Impact of Media Exposure on Male’s Body Image [online]. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23 (1), 7-22.
Babicz-Zielinkska, E., Wadotowska L. and Tomaszewski D., 2013. Eating Disorders: Problems of Contemporary Civilisation- A Review [online]. Polish Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences, 63 (3), 133-146.
Bair, C., Kelly, N., Serdar, K. and Mazzeo, S., 2012. Does the Internet function like magazines? An exploration of image-focused media, eating pathology, and body dissatisfaction [online]. Journal of Eating Behaviors, 13 (4), 398-401.
Bawalan, R. J., 2012. Methods of Qualitative Research: Phenomenological Research [online]. Slideshare. Available from: http://www.slideshare.net/RalphBawalan/qualitative-research-phenomenology [accessed 29th March 2015].
Bimber, B., 2012. Collective Action in Organizations: Interaction and Engagement in an Era of Technological Change (Communication, Society and Politics). New York: Cambridge University Press
Blaikie, N., 2000. Designing Social Research. Oxford: Blackwell.
Boepple, L. and Thompson, J., 2015. A content analytic comparison of Fitspiration and thinspiration websites [online]. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 10.
Brandt, M., 2015. Deeper Insights, Top in Health and Wellness on Social [online]. Pivot: The Tomorrow Project. Available from: http://pivotcon.com/deeper-insights-top-trends-in-health-and-wellness-on-social-infographic/ [accessed on 10th May 2015].
Brotsky, S. and Giles, D., 2007. Inside the “Pro-ana†Community: A Covert Online Participant Observation. Eating Disorders, 15 (2), 93-109.
Burgess, J., 2009. YouTube: Online Video and Participatory Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Burke, E., 2012. Reflections on the Waif [online]. Australian Feminist Studies, 27 (71), 37-54.
Cash, T, F. and Pruzinsky, T., 1990. Body images: Development, deviance, and change. The Guilford Press.
Cash, T, F., 2002. A “negative body imageâ€: Evaluating epidemiological evidence. In: Cash, T, F and T. Pruzinsky, T., 2003. Body image: A handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice. New York: Guilford.
Cash, T. F, and Smolak, L., 2011. Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention. New York: Guilford Press.
Castro, T. and Osorio, A., 2012. Online violence: Not beautiful enough… not thin enough. Anorectic testimonials in the web [online]. PhyschNology Journal, 10 (3), 169-186.
Cho, J. and Trent, A., 2006. Qualitative Research revisited [online]. Qualitative Research, 6(3), 19–340.
Clement, M., 2015. Before and After. Pinterest.25th February 2015. Available from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/78742693461310201/ [accessed 2nd April 2015].
Corbeil-Serre, L., Meilleur, D. and Turgeon, M., 2014. Anorexia nervosa in male teenagers and young adults: Review of literature [online]. Neuropsychiatrie de l’‘Enfance et de l’‘Adolescence, 62 (8), 514-520.
Daily Motivation., 2013. The Weights of Life: Fitness and Nutrition Tips [online].Wordpress. Available from: https://theweightsoflife.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/daily-motivation-5/ [accessed 1st April 2015].
Daniel, S. and Bridges, S., 2009. The drive for muscularity in men: Media influences and objectification theory [online]. Body Image, 7, 32–38.
DiCicco-Bloom, B. and Crabtree, B., 2006. The Qualitative Research Interview. UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Dunning, D. and Hayes, A. F., 1996. Evidence of egocentric comparison in social judgment [online]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 213-229.
Dworkin, S. and Wachs,F., 2009. Body Panic: Gender, Health and the Selling of Fitness. New York: NYU Press.
Englander, M., 2012. The Interview: Data Collection in Descriptive Phenomenological Human Scientific Research [online]. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 43, 13–35.
Enhancing Human Performance. Date Unknown. Absolute perfection [online]. Wordpress. Available from: http://enhancinghumanperformance.net/2014/01/16/absolute-perfection/ [accessed 1st April 2015].
Eve, C., 2011. Someone who is busier than you is running right now [online]. Whatever The Route. Wordpress. Available from: https://whatevertheroute.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/someone-who-is-busier-than-you-is-running-right-now/ [accessed 1st April 2015].
Featherstone, M., 2010. Body, image and affect in consumer culture. Body & Society, 16, 193–221.
Festinger, L., 1954. A theory of social comparison processes [online]. Human Relations, 7, 117–140.
Fitness.Modelss., 2015. Good morning Follow me and enjoy !@fitness.modelss #beard #game #beastmode #workforit #motivation #fit #fitness #gymlife #flex #gym #trainhard #eatclean #focus #dedication #strength #ripped #abs #itsnevertoolate #shredded #squat #cardio #lifestyle #Egypt #egyptian #egyfit #elghamrygym. Instagram [online]. 15th May 2015]. 15th May 2015. Available from https://instagram.com/p/2smg2jqzmX/?taken-by=fitness.modelss [accessed 15th May 2015].
Gallaher- Trump, J. Date Unknown. Beachbody [online]. Pinterest. Available from https://www.pinterest.com/jessiemarie217/beachbody/ [accessed on 2nd April 2015].
Golan, G. and Banning, S., 2008. Exploring a Link between the Third-Person Effect and the Theory of Reasoned Action: Beneficial Ads and Social Expectations [online]. American Behavior Science, 52 (2), 208-224.
Good Men Project., Date Unknown. Sports.Wordpress. Available from http://goodmenproject.com/category/sports-2/ [accessed 2nd April 2015].
Grieve, F. G., 2007. A conceptual model of factors contributing to the development of muscle dysmorphia. Eating Disorders, 15, 63-80.
Griffiths, S., Touyz, S., Mond, J. and Murray, S., 2014. Young peoples’‘ stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia [online]. International Journal Of Eating Disorders, 47(2), 189-195.
Grogan, S., 2008. Body image: Understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women, and children. East Sussex: Routledge.
Hagger, M. and Chatzisarantis N., 2004. A Meta-Analytic Review of the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behaviour in Physical Activity: Predictive Validity and the Contribution of Additional Variables [online]. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 24, 3-32.
Halliwell, E., Dittmar, H. and Howe, J., 2005. The impact of advertisements featuring ultra-thin or average-size models on women with a history of eating disorders [online]. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 15 (5), 406-413.
Hanke, R., 1998. The mockâ€macho situation comedy: Hegemonic masculinity and its reiteration [online]. Western Journal of Communications, 62 (1), 74â€93.
Holloway, I., & Todres, L., 2003. The Status of Method: Flexibility, consistency and coherence. Qualitative Research [online], 3 (3), 345-357.
Holmes, M., 2014. Monday Morning Motivation – Push To Greatness [online]. Body Synergy Training. Available from: http://www.bodysynergytraining.com/monday-morning-motivation-push-to-greatness/ [accessed 1st April 2015].
Iheartinspiration., 2013. Inspiration [online]. Iheartinspiration.com. Available from http://iheartinspiration.com/category/quotes/ [accessed on 2nd April 2015].
Jonason, P., Krcmar, M. and Sohn, S., 2009. Male Body Image: The Role of Muscle Magazine Exposure, Body Mass Index, and Social Comparison in Men’‘s Body Satisfaction [online]. Social Behaviour and Personality: An International Journal, 37 (5), 627-629.
Jones, S., 1998. Virtual Culture: Identity and Communication in Cybersociety. London: Sage Publishing.
Kaplan, A. M. and Haenlein, M., 2010. Users of the world, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media [online]. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68.
Katlin, L., 2009. Men And Addictions: New Research. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Kazmierczak, N., Patryn, R. and Niedzielski, A., 2013. Influence of mass media on emergence of eating disorders amongst young people [online]. Polish Journal of Public Health, 123 (4), 301-304.
Kemmelmeier, M. and Oyserman, D., 2001. Gendered Influence of Downward Social Comparisons on Current and Possible Selves [online]. Journal Of Social Issues, 57, (1), 129-48.
King, M., 2013. 10 Tips To Ease The Transition Back To The Gym [online]. Wordpress. Available from http://mywholefoodlife.com/advice/tips-to-ease-the-transition-back-to-the-gym/ [accessed 1st April 2015].
Koskela, H., 2004. Webcams, TV shows and mobile phones: Empowering exhibitionism [online]. Surveillance and Society, 2, 199-215.
Kvale, S,. 1996. Interviews: an introduction to qualitative research interviewing. California: Sage.
Lariscy, R. W., Tinkham, S, F. and Sweetser, K.D. 2011. Kids these days: examining differences in political uses and gratifications, internet political participation, political information efficacy, and cynicism on the basis of age [online]. American Behavioural Scientist, 55 (6), 749-764.
Lester, S., 1999. An introduction to phenomenological research [online]. Taunton: Stan Lester Developments. Available from www.sld.demon.co.uk/resmethy.pdf [accessed 28th March 2015].
Lew, A., Mann, T., Myers, H., Taylor, S. and Bower, J., 2007. Thin-Ideal Media and Women’‘s Body Dissatisfaction: Prevention using Downward Social Comparisons on Non-Appearance Dimensions [online]. Sex Roles, 57, (7/8), 543-556.
Lewis, S., 2012. Searching for thinspiration: the nature of internet searches for pro-eating disorder websites [online]. Cyberpsychology Behaviour and Social Networking 14 (4), 200-2004.
Light, B., 2013. Networked Masculinities and Social Networking Sites: A Call for the Analysis of Men and Contemporary Digital Media. Masculinities and Social Change, 2 (3), 245-265.
Lin, A. and Salwen, M., 1997. Predicting the spiral of silence on a controversial public issue [online]. Howard Journal of Communications, 8 (1), 129-141.
Lin, N., 1999. Building a Network Theory of Social Capital [online]. Connections, 22 (1) 28-51.
Lincoln, Y. and Guba, E.,1985. Naturalistic Inquiry. CA: Sage Publications.
Littlejohn, S. and Foss, K., 2009. Encyclopaedia of Communication Theory [online]. California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Lizarraga, S., 2014. Martes de abdomen six pack [online]. El124.com. Available from http://el124.com/martes-de-abdomen-six-pack/ [accessed on 2nd April 2015].
Lofgren, K., 2013. Qualitative analysis of interview data: A step-by-step guide [video, online]. Youtube. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRL4PF2u9XA [accessed 3rd April 2015].
Maksl, A. and Young, R., 2013. Affording to Exchange: Social Capital and Online Information Sharing [online]. Cyberphyschology, Behaviour and Social Networking, 1. 1-6.
Martin, M. C. and Gentry, J, W., 1997. Stuck in the model trap: The effects of beautiful models in ads on female pre-adolescents and adolescents [online]. Journal of Advertising, 26, 19–33.
McCurdy, D., Spradley, J. and Shandy, D., 2004. The Cultural Experience: Ethnography in Complex Society Paperback. Illinois: Waveland Press.
Mishkind, M., Rodin, L., Silberstein, L. and Striegel-Moore, R., 1987. The Embodiment of Masculinity: Cultural, Psychological and Behavioural Dimensions. In: Kimmel, M., 1987., Changing Men: New Directions in Research on Men and Masculinity. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Mosley, P., 2008. Bigorexia: Bodybuilding and Muscle Dysmorphia [online]. European Eating Disorders Review, 17, 191-198.
Mosse, G., 1998. The Image of Man: The Creation of Modern Masculinity. UK: Oxford University Press.
Mulliniks, K., 2014. Studies say social media prompts image body discussion [online]. Texas: tcu360. Available from http://www.tcu360.com/campus/2014/02/19481.studies-say-social-media-prompts-body-image-discussion [Accessed 11th May 2015].
Myers, M., 2000. Qualitative Research and the Generalizability Question: Standing Firm with Proteus [online]. The Qualitative Report, 4 (3/4).
Naturalbbeast., 2015. #beastmode#bodybuilding#lifestyle#flex#pose#fit#fitness#strong#power#gym#addict#preworkout#supplements#gymlife#motivation#strenght#ripped#shredded#sweat#grow#focus#dedication#muscleendurance#eatclean#trainhard#dream#believe#bodybuilder#BeastMode#inspiration. Instagram [online]. 15th May 2015. Available from https://instagram.com/p/2skaxpkbCK/?taken-by=naturalbbeast [accessed 15 May 2015].
Noy, C., 2008. Sampling Knowledge: The Hermeneutics of Snowball Sampling in Qualitative Research [online]. International Journal Of Social Research Methodology, 11 (4), 327-344.
Nunkoosing, K., 2005. The problems with interviews [online]. Qualitative Health Research, 15 (5), 698-706.
Pai, P. and Arnott, D., 2012. User adoption of social networking sites: Eliciting uses and gratifications through a means-end approach. Computers In Human Behavior, 29 (3), 1039-1053.
Patton, M., 2002. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. 2002. 3rd Edition. California: Sage Publications.
Pena, J., 2012. What Happens When You Flip Your Grip On Pulldowns? [online]. Muscle Mag, Cruz Bay Publishing. Available from: http://www.musclemag.com/article/what-happens-when-you-flip-your-grip-on-pulldowns [accessed on 1st April 2015].
Pew Research Centre., 2014. Social Networking Factsheet [online]. Pew research Centre. Available from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/ [accessed 17th March 2015].
Pila, E., Stamiris, A., Castonguay, A. and Sabiston, C., 2014, Body-Related Envy: A Social Comparison Perspective in Sport and Exercise. Journal Of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36 (1), 93-106.
Pope, H, G., Phillips, K, A. and Olivardia, R., 2000. The Adonis complex: The secret crisis of male body obsession. New York: Free Press.
Rome is Burning., 2014. No title [online]. Tumblr. Available from http://romeisburningg.tumblr.com/post/89727767983 [accessed 2nd April 2015].
Saetta, A., Date Unknown. Muscle Dysmorphia: Under-researched and potentially over-diagnosed [online]. Thesis. Queen Mary University of London.
Saldana, J., 2009. An Introduction to Codes and Coding. In:The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. London: Sage, 1-8.
Salzman, M., Matathia, I. and O’‘Reilly, A., 2005. The future of men. New York: Palgrave.
Seok-Woo, K. and Alder, P., 2014. Social Capital: Maturation of a Field Of Research [online]. Academy of Management Review, 39 (4), 412-422.
Shuen, A., 2008. Web 2.0 : A Strategy Guide [online].: Beijing: Farnham.
Sigman, A., 2010. A source of thinspiration? [online]. Biologist, 57 (3), 117-121.
Steeltribe_musclegearapparel., 2015. It just got real! Training just became legendary! Steeltribe LIFT tank and Flag Nor Fail the one and only DLB and Rob Bailey and Mr Universe!!! Scott McMillian is the freakin Man for this one! Shout out to Mutant!!!! Steeltribe tank available at www.steeltribemusclegearapparel.com. Instagram [online]. 14th May 2015. Available from https://instagram.com/p/2rPJ2ROhHT/?tagged=musclebuilding [accessed 15th November 2015].
Sundar, S. and Limperos, A., 2013. Uses and Grats 2.0: New Gratifications for New Media [online]. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 57 (4), 504-525.
Tansey, O., 2007. Process Tracing and Elite Interviewing: A Case for Non-probability Sampling [online]. Political Science and Politics, 40 (4), 1-23.
Teamrizzly., 2015. I don’‘t make excuses, I make results! #teamrizzly@stephaan22 #gym#mcfit#mcfithannover#muscle#strong#noexcuses#dedication#potd#fitguy#ootd#shredded#gymaesthetics#fitnessmodel#fitnessaddicted#fitnesslifestyle#healthychoises#TeamBOOMBabY#motivation#inspiration#bodybuilding#gopro#fitness#physique#diet#lifting#tags4like. Instagram [online], 15th May 2015. Available from https://instagram.com/p/2slFFXLdmr/?tagged=bodybuilding [accessed 15th May 2015].
Tiggemann, M. and Polivy, J., 2010. Upward and downward: social comparison processing of thin idealized media images. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34 (3), 356-364.
Tiidenberg, K., 2014. Bringing sexy back: Reclaiming the body aesthetic via self-shooting [online]. Cyberpsychology, 8 (1), 1-15.
Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H. and Bondas, T., 2013. Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study [online]. Nursing & Health Sciences, 15, (3), 398-405.
van den Berg, P., Paxton, S., Keery, H., Wall, M., Guo, J. and Neumark-Sztainer, D., 2007, Body dissatisfaction and body comparison with media images in males and females [online]. Body Image, 4, 257-268.
van Dijck, J., 2008. Digital photography: Communication, identity, memory [online]. Visual Communication, 7, 57–76.
Warren, C. and Ricardo, R., 2013. The relationships among acculturation, acculturative stress, endorsement of Western media, social comparison, and body image in Hispanic male college students [online]. Psychology Of Men & Masculinity, 14 (2), 192-201.
Whitehead, S. M. and Barrett, F. J., 2001. The Masculinities Reader. Malden: Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Whiting, A. and Williams, D., 2013. Why people use social media: a uses and gratifications approach [online]. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 16 (4), 362-369.
Williams, S., 2009. Understanding Anorexia Nervosa: an online phenomenological approach [online]. Thesis (PhD). Queen Margaret University.
Wold, T., Aristodemou, E., Dunkels, E. and Laouris, Y. (2009). Inappropriate content. In: Livingstone & L. Haddon, Kids Online: Opportunities and risks for children. 135-146. Great Britain: The Policy Press.
Wykes, M. and Gunter, B., 2005. The Media and Body Image: If Looks Could Kill [online]. London: Sage.
