The Impact of Social Media on Body Image Perception in Young People

Background: Social media can significantly impact body image perception among adolescents. Objective: This study examines how exposure to fitspiration content relates to body esteem, with a focus on gender differences and BMI. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 211 participants using validated instruments (Body Esteem Scale, A. Sobczak's silhouette scale). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: Exposure to athletic images decreased self-esteem in 37% of participants, particularly among women (p = 0.004). Gender significantly influenced the tendency to compare oneself with athletic individuals (p = 0.02). BMI was not significantly associated with body image perception (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Gender-specific patterns in social media-related body image perception highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate negative impacts among young adults.