A recent study from Washington State University (WSU) suggests that personal reflection may help mitigate the negative effects of social media’s fitness-related content on body image. Led by Jessica Willoughby, an associate professor of communication, the research examined how exposure to “fitspiration” content—images and messages meant to inspire fitness—can distort self-perception, particularly among young women.
The study involved sending daily text messages encouraging participants to reflect on the fitness content they viewed online. Conducted over four days, the research followed women between the ages of 18 and 24, who received twice-daily surveys assessing their reactions to social media content and their levels of body appreciation. The findings indicated that these reflective prompts helped reduce social comparison tendencies, a key contributor to body dissatisfaction.
“Even content meant to be motivational can include unrealistic ideals or objectifying imagery that affect how young women feel about their own bodies,” Willoughby explained in a WSU report. While participants’ overall body appreciation scores improved only modestly, researchers were encouraged by the decline in harmful comparison behaviors.
Further insights emerged from in-depth interviews with select participants, who reported increased awareness of how social media influenced their self-image. Many took proactive steps to manage their digital environment, such as curating their feeds and unfollowing accounts that negatively impacted their well-being.
“It’s really easy to get stuck in passive scrolling,” Willoughby said. “But just calling attention to what you’re seeing and how it makes you feel can shift how you engage with content—and that can have lasting effects.”
The study highlights the potential of simple, low-cost interventions like reflective texting to help individuals navigate the pressures of social media. However, given its limited sample size, the findings may not be universally applicable. Willoughby and her team plan to expand their research, refining reflective techniques and exploring how young adults experience sexual objectification in fitness media. Their goal is to develop broader interventions that address the body image challenges young women face in the digital age.
