A Biopsychosocial Model of Social Media Use and Body Image Concerns, Disordered Eating, and Muscle-Building Behaviors among Adolescent Girls and Boys

In this theoretical review paper, we provide a developmental–sociocultural framework for the role of social media (SM) in contributing to adolescent girls’ body image concerns, and in turn, depressive symptoms and disordered eating. We propose that the features of SM (e.g., idealized images of peers, quantifiable feedback) intersect with adolescent developmental factors (e.g., salience of peer relationships) and sociocultural gender socialization processes (e.g., societal over-emphasis on girls’ and women’s physical appearance) to create the “perfect storm” for exacerbating girls’ body image concerns. We argue that, ultimately, body image concerns may be a key mechanism underlying associations between adolescent girls’ SM use and mental health. In the context of proposing this framework, we provide empirical evidence for how SM may increase adolescent girls’ body image concerns through heightening their focus on: (1) other people’s physical appearance (e.g., through exposure to idealized images of peers, celebrities, and SM influencers; quantifiable indicators of approval); and (2) their own appearance (e.g., through appearance-related SM consciousness; exposure to one’s own image; encouraging over-valuing of appearance; and peer approval of photos/videos). Our framework highlights new avenues for future research on adolescent girls’ SM use and mental health, which recognize the central role of body image.

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Social Media, Body Image and Resistance Training: Creating the Perfect ‘Me’ with Dietary Supplements, Anabolic Steroids and SARM’s

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-021-00371-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Luuk Hilkens ◽

Maarten Cruyff ◽

Liesbeth Woertman ◽

Jeroen Benjamins ◽

Catharine Evers

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Body Image ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Media Use ◽

Anabolic Steroids ◽

Young Male ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Few studies have assessed the use of dietary supplements, anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) in male gym users. The comparison of physical appearance with others on social media and the exposure to fitness-related content on social media (i.e., image-centric social media use) may have a profound role in using these compounds due to its role in creating negative body images in male gym users. Objective Provide contemporary data on the use of dietary supplements, AAS and SARM among young male gym users, and test the hypothesis that social media is associated with the use of dietary supplements, AAS and SARM, as a result of a negative body image. Methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted in the Netherlands, male gym users (N = 2269; 24 ± 6 years) completed an online questionnaire including self-reported measures regarding resistance training participation, image-centric social media use, dietary supplement intake, and body image. The prevalence of AAS and SARM use was assessed with randomized response, a technique to ask sensitive questions indirectly. Results Of all participants, 83% used ergogenic dietary supplements (mainly protein and creatine), and an estimated 9 versus 2.7% had ever used AAS versus SARM. Image-centric social media use was positively associated with the use of dietary supplements (r = .26; p < 0.01) and AAS (p < 0.05), but not SARM. Image-centric social media use was associated with a more dissatisfied body image (r = .34; p < 0.01). Body image did not mediate the relationship between image-centric social media use and the use of doping compounds. Conclusions The use of dietary supplements in young male gym users is exorbitant, with the use of AAS and SARM being substantial. Image-centric social media use is positively associated with the use of dietary supplements and AAS.

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Does Body Mass Index Influence Social Media Use? An Exploration of Social Media Use in College Students (P04-009-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-009-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Padideh Haddadian ◽

Catherine Coccia

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Social Media ◽

Body Image ◽

Body Mass ◽

Social Desirability ◽

Media Use ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Dietetic Students

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationship between college dietetic students’ body mass index (BMI), body image, social desirability and social media use. Methods This study is a secondary data analysis. The study population consisted of 42 male and female nutrition and dietetic students at a large southeastern University. The demographics of the students were 70.7% White, 17.1% Black, 9.8% Asian, 2.4% American Indian and 46.3% identified as Hispanic. The sample included 41.4% undergraduate and 58.5% graduate students. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and general linear regression was conducted using SPSSv20. Results Regression analysis indicated that social desirability (t = −2.23, P = .03) and BMI category (t = −2.18, P = .04) were both negatively related to the number of social media platforms students participated in. Body image had no relationship with the number of platforms students engaged with (t = −.301, P = .765). However, number of hours spent on social media platforms increased as BMI categorization increased [F = 3.654, P = 0.22]. Conclusions Student BMI and social desirability were related to the number of social media platforms students engage in and the amount of time they spend posting information online. Future studies are needed to further examine the role body image, BMI and social desirability play in student online behavior. Funding Sources Private.

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