Repository logo
 

"Do you like my body?": an interpersonal approach to the growth of bikini competitors on YouTube

dc.contributor.authorBeytin, Brooke, author
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Elizabeth A., advisor
dc.contributor.authorMarx, Nick, committee member
dc.contributor.authorOgle, Jennifer, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-09T15:42:46Z
dc.date.available2017-06-09T15:42:46Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractThis study investigates the popularity growth of bikini competitors on the social media outlet of YouTube. This content falls into the category of "fitspiration" content, otherwise known as fitness social media content that advocates for health and well-being. While fitspiration content has been shown to be damaging to the consumer regarding body image and self-esteem, consumers are increasingly choosing to engage with it. Therefore, this project takes an audience approach, probing why this phenomenon is spreading rapidly regardless of its potentially harmful effects. Using a qualitative interview approach, I explore the appeal of this YouTube content by interviewing women who actively engage with the YouTube videos of bikini competitors. I utilize three communication theories—social identification theory, parasocial interaction theory, and narrative theory—to explore why the fitspiration YouTube content of bikini competitors is becoming more popular. The findings indicate that all three theories play a role in drawing women to fitspiration content, although identification seemed to be the most reported factor. The findings not only provide valuable insights about the appeal of fitspiration content, but also about the potentially damaging effects of fitness-related social media and bikini competitions regarding privilege, body image, and expectations of media consumers.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierBeytin_colostate_0053N_14124.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/181396
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectfitspiration
dc.subjectinterpersonal
dc.subjectfitness
dc.subjectsocial media
dc.subjecthealth
dc.title"Do you like my body?": an interpersonal approach to the growth of bikini competitors on YouTube
dc.title.alternativeDo you like my body?: an interpersonal approach to the growth of bikini competitors on YouTube
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineCommunication Studies
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (M.A.)

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Beytin_colostate_0053N_14124.pdf
Size:
651.49 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format