A content analytic comparison of fitspiration and thinspiration websites
Abstract
Objective: “Pro‐ana” or Thinspiration websites are internet sites that support weight loss and eating disorders. Fitspiration websites are a newer type of site that supposedly advocates a fit and healthy lifestyle. Method: The first 10 images from a sample of 50 Fitspiration and 50 Thinspiration websites, chosen using a standard internet search protocol, were rated on a variety of weight, eating, and appearance characteristics. χ2 analyses were conducted to compare website content. Results: Thinspiration sites featured more content related to losing weight or fat, praising thinness, showng a thin pose, and providing food guilt messages than Fitspiration sites. However, sites did not differ on guilt‐inducing messages regarding weight or the body, fat/weight stigmatization, the presence of objectifying phrases, and dieting/restraint messages. Overall, 88% of Thinspiration sites and 80% of Fitspiration sites contained one or more of the coded variables. Discussion: Prior research has examined Thinspiration websites and noted the potentially hazardous messages contained on these sites. This content analysis indicates that sites supposedly devoted to healthy pursuits (fitness) may also contain thematically similar content. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:98–101)
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The existence of the thin ideal as a cultural phenomenon in Western society is supported by studies of social media content and post-hoc ratings of beauty pageant winners.
“That the thin ideal exists as a cultural phenomenon in Western society is supported by studies of social media content [e.g., (Boepple and Thompson, 2016; Boepple et al., 2016a)] and post-hoc ratings of beauty pageant winners (Bozsik et al., 2018).”
From The degree to which the cultural ideal is internalized predicts judgments of male and female physical attractiveness (2022) · cites this paper as Boepple and Thompson, 2016
More recently, the Western ideal female body has been compounded by an 'athletic' ideal that portrays a body shape that is very slender, toned and muscular.
“More recently, this fixation on body fat has been compounded by the rise of the “athletic” ideal, epitomized by the fitspiration trend on social media, which portrays a body shape that is not only very slender, but also toned and muscular (Benton and Karazsia, 2015; Tiggemann and Zaccardo, 2015, 2018; Boepple and Thompson, 2016; Carrotte et al., 2017; Bozsik et al., 2018).”
From The degree to which the cultural ideal is internalized predicts judgments of male and female physical attractiveness (2022) · cites this paper as Boepple and Thompson, 2016
The existence of the thin ideal as a cultural phenomenon in Western society is supported by studies of social media content and post-hoc ratings of beauty pageant winners.
“That the thin ideal exists as a cultural phenomenon in Western society is supported by studies of social media content [e.g., (Boepple and Thompson, 2016; Boepple et al., 2016a)] and post-hoc ratings of beauty pageant winners (Bozsik et al., 2018).”
From The degree to which the cultural ideal is internalized predicts judgments of male and female physical attractiveness (2022) · cites this paper as Boepple et al., 2016a
Social media influencers may post 'thinspiration' and 'fitspiration' content, which tends to increase young women's body dissatisfaction.
“Furthermore, SM influencers may post 'thinspiration' and 'fitspiration' content (i.e., content idealizing thin or fit bodies that is purported to 'inspire' thinness or fitness; Boepple & Thompson, 2016), which tends to increase young women's body dissatisfaction (Robinson et al., 2017).”
From The Perfect Storm: A Developmental-Sociocultural Framework for the Role of Social Media in Adolescent Girls' Body Image Concerns and Mental Health. (2022) · cites this paper as Boepple & Thompson, 2016
Fitspiration content often encourages restrictive appearance standards and guilt-focused messages regarding weight, diet, and body shape, thematically similar to thinspiration.
“Such content often encourages restrictive appearance standards and guilt-focused messages regarding weight, diet, and body shape which are thematically similar to thinspiration (Boepple & Thompson, 2016).”
From Add a comment … how fitspiration and body positive captions attached to social media images influence the mood and body esteem of young female Instagram users (2020) · cites this paper as Boepple & Thompson, 2016
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“, (Boepple and Thompson, 2016; Boepple et al., 2016a)] and post-hoc ratings of beauty pageant winners (Bozsik et al.”
Background
- Authors
- Boepple, L., & Thompson, J. K.
- Affiliations
- University of South Florida (US)
- Corresponding author
- Thompson, J. Kevin
- Venue
- International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2015-03-16
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 98-101
- ISSN
- 0276-3478 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-108X
- OpenAlex
- W2108849913
- Cited by
- 252
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 4
- FWCI
- 26.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Eating Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Keywords
- fitspiration, thinspiration, pro-ana, weight loss, thinness, body image, weight stigma, objectification, online health content
- MeSH terms
- Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Weight, Female, Humans, Life Style, Thinness, Internet
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