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New study reveals that 'fitness inspiration' on social media may be harmful


Published on 2025-02-08 16:23:10 - MSN
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  • A recent German study has cast doubt on the effectiveness of exercise trends promoted on social media. While these practices aim to inspire people to lead a healthy lifestyle, the results suggest they might be doing more harm than good.

A recent study published in the journal "Psychology of Sport and Exercise" has highlighted potential negative effects of fitness inspiration on social media. The research, conducted by experts from the University of Glasgow, found that while social media can be a source of motivation for fitness enthusiasts, it often leads to negative outcomes such as body dissatisfaction, increased anxiety, and a distorted perception of one's own body image. The study surveyed over 1,000 participants and discovered that the idealized images and fitness goals portrayed on platforms like Instagram and TikTok can foster unrealistic expectations and pressure to conform to certain body standards. This can result in detrimental effects on mental health, particularly among young adults who are frequent users of these platforms. The findings suggest a need for more balanced and realistic fitness content to mitigate these adverse effects.

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