Understanding Fitspiration TikTok Fitness Influencers
Fitspiration content on TikTok is defined as images and videos aimed at inspiring individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise.
However, the study reveals that this content often reinforces harmful body ideals and spreads misinformation regarding health and fitness.
Researchers analyzed 200 TikTok fitspiration videos using popular hashtags such as fitness, fitspo, gymtok, and fittok, finding that a significant portion of this content presents troubling trends.
The Issue of Body Image
The researchers found that the vast majority of fitspiration videos were posted by fitness influencers without relevant qualifications.
Alarmingly, up to 60 percent of these videos contained incorrect or potentially harmful information related to diet, health, and fitness.
This unregulated dissemination of information is particularly concerning given the young, impressionable audience that TikTok attracts.
Samantha Pryde, the lead author of the study, expressed her concern about the content’s impact on viewers. “Our study highlights the issue of triggering and misleading information portrayed by unqualified influencers,” she said.
“TikTok fitspiration videos often promote an idealized view of body types, and there is growing concern that this is causing negative body image issues, especially among young women.”
The study reveals that more than half of the analyzed content featuring women involved some form of sexualization or objectification.
Specifically, 55.7 percent of these videos portrayed women in ways that emphasized their physical attributes in a sexualized manner.
Additionally, 20 percent of the content engaged in body shaming, and 8.6 percent promoted disordered eating behaviors.
The Consequences of Sexualization and Body Shaming
The focus on idealized body types and the frequent sexualization of female bodies in fitspiration content is problematic.
It not only reinforces unrealistic standards but also contributes to the objectification of women’s bodies. The study found that body parts such as thighs and buttocks were often highlighted, with the ideal female body type being depicted as thin and fit.
Professor Eva Kemps, a social scientist and co-author of the study, commented on these findings: “Worryingly, we found that the vast majority of influencers behind the content lacked credible health and fitness qualifications. This underscores a pervasive issue where influencer popularity overshadows the accuracy and safety of the information they provide.”
The study also noted that men’s bodies were objectified in these videos, but often in a different manner. Male fitness content tended to focus on muscular bodies and frequently obscured, blurred, or cropped out faces, whereas female content often featured individuals alone, emphasizing their physical appearance.
The Call for Greater Regulation
Associate Professor Ivanka Prichard, an expert in body image, exercise, and health psychology, emphasized the need for better regulation and more research.
“Our study illustrates the need for more research and enhanced regulation regarding advertising by influencers on social media,” she said. “We need more collaboration with public health organizations to encourage fitness influencers to share evidence-based information that promotes healthy and realistic expectations for body image and fitness.”
The research team’s findings highlight a broader issue of digital media’s influence on body image. The prevalent nature of fitspiration content on TikTok suggests that many young people are exposed to potentially harmful standards and misinformation.
Addressing the Problem
To address these concerns, the researchers advocate for stricter monitoring of fitness content on social media platforms.
They call for increased scrutiny of influencer practices and the promotion of content that aligns with evidence-based health and fitness advice.
Additionally, they stress the importance of promoting diverse body types and realistic fitness goals to counteract the harmful effects of idealized imagery.
“In a world increasingly influenced by digital media, monitoring the impact of fitspiration content remains crucial in promoting and protecting healthier body image narratives,” said Prichard. “Fostering supportive fitness cultures and ensuring that fitness influencers provide accurate, helpful information can make a significant difference.”
The study from Flinders University underscores the urgent need for a reevaluation of fitness content on TikTok and other social media platforms.
As the popularity of fitspiration content grows, so does the potential for negative impacts on body image and mental health.
By promoting more responsible and evidence-based content, the fitness community can help mitigate these risks and support healthier body image standards for all users.
