Influenced to Be Fit? How Instagram Fitness Influencers Shape University Students’ Lives

Abstract

Instagram has transformed into a prominent social media platform that significantly influences body-image perception, mental wellbeing, and lifestyle choices of its followers. The promotion of “fitspiration” on appearance focused channels like Instagram has facilitated fitness influencers to showcase idealize body images and workouts, which are aimed to inspire healthy behaviors but may also encourage toxic self-comparison. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the emotional, behavioral and psychological outcomes of following the Instagram fitness influencers among university students in Pakistan. A qualitative exploratory research design was employed in this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews by using a purposive sample of 10 university students (5 men & 5 women) aged between 18-24 years (M=22.3, SD=1.6), all of whom actively followed fitness influencers on Instagram. The data was analyzed by means of thematic analysis to identify codes and themes within the dataset. Eight major themes were identified; inspirational motivational journey, motivational drivers, healthy engagement, emotional and psychological impact, behavioral and lifestyle transformations, perceived body image and self-evaluation, fitness influencers’ impressions, and recommendations for body positivity. Although there were reports of improved physical activity and healthier habits among some participants, others were characterized by adverse emotional responses, such as body dissatisfaction and lack of confidence. Therefore, this study highlights the significance of inclusive and diverse body-positive communication as a way of minimizing the effects of unrealistic body ideals. These observations reveal the multifaceted role of the influencers in body image formation and signal the need to conduct additional research on a variety of platforms and demographics.