Many of us are trying to put more effort into our exercise regimes this month as part of a new year health kick. And while we look for inspiration from many sources, some of them may actually be hindering us.
A recent study has revealed that TikTok fitness videos may have several negative effects on viewers. According to a research from Flinders University in Australia, ‘Fitspo’ (fitness inspiration) content on the video app could worsen body image issues.
Fitspo, which includes images and videos intended to motivate people to live an active and healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, has raised concerns among academics, especially with TikTok’s massive teenage audience.
As reported by The Independent, lead author Samantha Pryde said in a statement: “Our study highlights concern about the triggering and misleading information portrayed by unqualified influencers and that we need far greater scrutiny of the TikTok fitness community.”
Ms Pryde, who believed that the content contributes to over-sexualisation of women, added: “TikTok fitspiration videos often promote an idealised view of body types and there is concern that this is causing negative body image issues especially in young women.”
The study analysed 200 TikTok fitspiration videos using popular hashtags, including fitness, fitspo, gymtok, and fittok and found that over 60 per cent featured harmful or inaccurate information about diet, health, and fitness. Most of these posts came from unqualified fitness influencers.
Social scientist and study co-author Eva Kemps added: “Worryingly, we found that the vast majority of influencers behind the content lacked credible health and fitness qualifications, underscoring a pervasive issue where influencer popularity overshadows the accuracy and safety of the information they provide.”
According to their findings, 55.7 per cent of the content featured heavily sexualised or objectified portrayals of women. These videos specifically objectified certain body parts, particularly the thighs and buttocks, reinforcing the idea that women’s body types need to be thin and fit.
“TikTok fitspiration videos often promote an idealised view of body types and there is concern that this is causing negative body image issues especially in young women,” Pryde noted, adding that it was more detrimental to female audiences than male.
“The content typically showcased and promoted an ideal ‘thin’ body type, indicating that thinness is still a key driver of body issues for women that can negatively impact their physical and mental health.”
Men were also objectified in these videos, with many influencers promoting overly muscular physiques that prioritised dehydration over strength. Additionally, a fifth of the content involved body shaming, and 8.6 per cent encouraged disordered eating behaviors.
“This evolving objectification raises concerns about the impact of fitspiration on male body image as well, with increasing evidence suggesting that male viewers are similarly affected by idealised imagery,” Pryde added. “Alarmingly, we found that the majority of the videos perpetuated negative messages, including sexualisation, body shaming and excessive dieting.”
The research team urged platforms to closely monitor fitspo pages to address negative body image concerns and ensure that they promote healthier outlooks on fitness.
The Daily Record has approached TikTok for comment.
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