Thinspiration vs. thicksperation: Comparing pro-anorexic and fat acceptance image posts on a photo-sharing site

Marcus, Sarah-Rose

doi:10.5817/cp2016-2-5

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…Sowles et al [73] pointed out that members of the pro-ED online community disseminate images that depict thin body shapes and promote the thin ideal by labeling them as their desired goals. Similar findings emerged from a study by Marcus [40], who found that members of a pro-anorexic community shared photos of extremely thin bodies to motivate users to maintain their diets and to outline the beauty standards of the group. In this manner, women are encouraged to adopt body appearance standards that lead to a desire for a thin body.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Health-oriented websites, with their opportunities for social interaction (e.g., discussion with other users about specific health-related topics, personal messages, inspiration, sharing experiences, memories, feelings), enable visitors to receive social support. The perceived social support is associated with the acceptance of group norms due to the higher subjective salience of the social group to which the individuals belong [40,44,47]. In line with social identity theory [44], the stronger identification with a group would result in the acceptance of group norms and, in the case of websites focusing on nutrition and fitness-these probably supported the thin and fitness-oriented images of the ideal body.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The online space offers various ways to get in touch with others, so there are also diverse ways to seek help and receive support. Social support, which in this context is mostly provided as emotional support, is expressed through emotions, empathy, and as informational support, like sharing knowledge regarding eating or fitness activities [21,40].…”

Section: Online Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Social Support, Neuroticism, and Web Content Internalization on the Drive for Thinness among Women Visiting Health-Oriented Websites

Kvardova

Macháčková

Ŝmahel

2020

IJERPH

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One of the debates about media usage is the potential harmful effect that it has on body image and related eating disturbances because of its representations of the “ideal body”. This study focuses on the drive for thinness among the visitors of various health-oriented websites and online platforms because neither has yet been sufficiently studied in this context. Specifically, this study aims to bring more insight to the risk factors which can increase the drive for thinness in the users of these websites. We tested the presumption that web content internalization is a key factor in this process, and we considered the effects of selected individual factors, specifically the perceived online social support and neuroticism. We utilized survey data from 445 Czech women (aged 18–29, M = 23.5, SD = 3.1) who visited nutrition, weight loss, and exercise websites. The results showed a positive indirect link between both perceived online social support and neuroticism to the drive for thinness via web content internalization. The results are discussed with regard to the dual role of online support as both risk and protective factor. Moreover, we consider the practical implications for eating behavior and weight-related problems with regard to prevention and intervention.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Online Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Social Support, Neuroticism, and Web Content Internalization on the Drive for Thinness among Women Visiting Health-Oriented Websites

Kvardova

Macháčková

Ŝmahel

2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Although some authors continue to consider real friends to be those who are exclusively offline, regardless of whether that social circle was generated online or not [25], others differentiate between following people they know and people they do not know [26]. The curvy girl audience often finds greater understanding from these micro-influencers than their physical friends, since they transmit their social identity related to positivity and self-esteem, providing support to their community [27]. The social interaction and interpersonal persuasion exerted by influencers facilitate this task of promotion [28] to their followers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fashion Promotion on Instagram with Eye Tracking: Curvy Girl Influencers Versus Fashion Brands in Spain and Portugal

2019

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The rise of Instagram, as the fastest growing social network in Spain and Portugal, and its incorporation into the communication strategies of beauty and fashion brands have posed some risks for younger followers in relation to the development of identity and self-esteem. A physical appearance acceptance movement has also begun, based on interaction with images, on which the social network is also based. The purpose of this research was to determine how attention is paid to fashion promotion and to the awareness of physical appearance acceptance by curvy influencers in comparison with communications by fashion brands on Instagram. The quantitative and qualitative methodology is based on the use of a biometric eye tracking technique applied to a sample of 120 participants from Spain and Portugal, matching the profile of the main users of Instagram: urban university women under 25 years old with an interest in fashion, and a self-perception as a curvy woman. The results point to more attention focused on the imperfections for which curvy influencers are raising awareness than on the fashion they promote when these awareness factors are more visible, as well as more attention focused on the fashion accessories worn by curvy brand models than those worn by the influencers, with specific and significant differences between Spanish and Portuguese audiences.

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“…The notion of weight bias has therefore generated a wealth of research, mostly focusing on its potential impact. In parallel, the body positivity movement has gained momentum over recent years emphasizing celebrating one’s body regardless of its size and shape (Marcus, 2016). As such, body positivity can be considered the conceptual opposite to weight bias (Puhl and Brownell, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of BMI Group on the Impact of Weight Bias Versus Body Positivity Terminology on Behavioral Intentions and Beliefs: An Experimental Study

Stewart

Ogden

2019

Front. Psychol.

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This experimental study investigated the role of BMI on the impact of weight bias vs body positivity terminology on behavioral intentions and beliefs about obesity. Participants ( n = 332) were randomly allocated to two conditions to receive a vignette depicting an image of a person with obesity using either weight bias ( n = 164) or body positivity ( n = 168) terminology. Participants were divided into three groups based upon their BMI category (normal weight n = 173; overweight n = 92; obese n = 64). They then completed measures of behavioral intentions, obesity illness beliefs, and fat phobia. Although there were several differences in beliefs by BMI group, the results showed no differences between weight bias or body positivity terminology on any measures. There were, however, significant BMI group by condition interactions for beliefs about obesity relating to personal control and treatment control. Post hoc tests showed that weight bias resulted in reduced personal control in the obese BMI group compared to other participants. Weight bias also resulted in higher personal control over obesity in normal weight individuals compared to body positivity. People with obesity reported higher treatment control when exposed to weight bias compared to overweight participants, whereas normal weight participants reported greater treatment control when exposed to body positivity compared to both other groups. To conclude, the impact of weight bias and body positivity information is not universal and varies according to the BMI of the audience and the outcome being measured; whereas people of normal weight may benefit from weight bias there is no evidence that obese people benefit from body positivity. Implications for the prevention and treatment of obesity are discussed.

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Thinspiration vs. thicksperation: Comparing pro-anorexic and fat acceptance image posts on a photo-sharing site

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 18 publications

References 58 publications

The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Social Support, Neuroticism, and Web Content Internalization on the Drive for Thinness among Women Visiting Health-Oriented Websites

The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Social Support, Neuroticism, and Web Content Internalization on the Drive for Thinness among Women Visiting Health-Oriented Websites

Fashion Promotion on Instagram with Eye Tracking: Curvy Girl Influencers Versus Fashion Brands in Spain and Portugal

The Role of BMI Group on the Impact of Weight Bias Versus Body Positivity Terminology on Behavioral Intentions and Beliefs: An Experimental Study

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