Health models and the quest for the ‘healthy’ body. analysis of adolescents’ experiences using Instagram

Abstract

What counts as a the preferred/culturally dominant model of health is clearly influenced by political, social and cultural aspects, as well as by the media. This has a direct impact on adolescents, since there is a greater pressure to achieve the canons established as ideals. Young people’s ideas about health are shaped by their personal circumstances and their social and cultural contexts. As research has indicated, social media plays a major role in this process, with Instagram one of the most popular sites/platforms. In this paper we provide the results of qualitative study designed to examine of adolescents’ experiences of using Instagram in relation to the field of health. The theory of social influence is used as the theoretical axis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Spanish students (5 girls and 3 boys) who acknowledged using Instagram to improve their healthy habits participated in the study. Three categories of responses were identified from an analysis of the interview data: a) ‘My conception of health’; b) ‘Instagram and healthy living’; and c) ‘Why do I follow these influencers?’. The main conception of health for participants was associated with having a socially ideal body. Participants described how they used Instagram for the large amount of audiovisual content it offers, in many cases prioritizing social success over health outcomes. This research helps to understand the role influencers have in translating and promoting health messages and meanings.