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A content analytic comparison of fitspiration and thinspiration websites
Author(s) -
Boepple Leah,
Thompson J. Kevin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22403
Subject(s) - dieting , psychology , the internet , content analysis , weight loss , eating disorders , content (measure theory) , portion size , social psychology , advertising , food science , clinical psychology , world wide web , obesity , medicine , computer science , chemistry , mathematics , sociology , endocrinology , social science , mathematical analysis , business
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. χ 2 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)