Post by Flinders University

Could just a few minutes on TikTok change how young men feel about their bodies? New research suggests the answer is yes. A Flinders University study has found that watching as little as three minutes of idealised fitness or supplement content on TikTok can leave young men feeling worse about their fitness and nutrition and more interested in using muscle‑building supplements. The experimental study compared young men who viewed fitness or supplement videos with those who watched unrelated travel content, revealing clear and immediate differences in body satisfaction and health intentions. The research shows that highly visual, appearance‑focused content doesn’t just inspire workouts. It can fuel appearance comparison, body pressure and interest in products that promise faster muscle gains, particularly among young men already feeling pressure to be muscular. Professor Ivanka Prichard, senior author and body image expert says the findings highlight a growing and often overlooked issue. “It’s not screen time that’s the problem, it’s repeated exposure to hyper‑muscular bodies and supplement promotion, which is increasingly being linked to serious body image concerns in young men,” she says. Read more 🔗 https://bit.ly/4ue3Dnr