Os media e a sua relação com os objetivos e motivações para o exercício e a imagem corporal

Abstract

Aim: Analyze the relationship between media and goals and motivations for exercise and body image. Method: In the first phase, a rapid systematic literature review was prepared based on experimental and observational studies that examined the relationship between individuals' exposure to fitspiration content and body image and associated variables (e.g. appearance comparison tendency and mood). The search was conducted in PubMed and PsycINFO and was based on the PICOS model. A research was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and February 2021. In the second phase, a cross-sectional observational study involving higher education students (n=326) was conducted as part of the pilot phase of the LUSÓFONAtiva project. Media exposure, media literacy and pressure, goals and motivations for exercise, and body image were assessed using an online questionnaire on the Qualtrics platform. Spearman correlation analyses were conducted. Results: In the systematic review, nine articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. Results showed that exposure to "fitspiration" increased body dissatisfaction, negative mood, and the tendency to compare appearance among individuals. In the cross-sectional observational study, media literacy was associated with lower internalization of the athletic body ideal. Media pressure was positively associated with extrinsic exercise goals, controlled exercise motivations, internalization of the athletic body ideal, and negative body image. Media literacy and media pressure were not associated with time on social media and exposure to screens. Conclusions: Fitspiration has been seen as a new and prolific digital trend, considered beneficial for health. However, it is associated with negative body image, especially in younger populations that are more exposed to this content. Increased media literacy may be protective by mitigating the negative effect of media pressure to achieve athletic body ideals, particularly by reducing the internalization of these body ideals. A better understanding is needed of the effects of these new media phenomena, as well as the relationships between the constructs under analysis.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	Portuguese
Supervisor	Eliana Cristina Veiga Carraça (Supervisor) & Marlene Nunes da Silva (Supervisor)