“If we are what we eat, I am fast, cheap, and easy!” A study on healthy lifestyle influencers, their audio-visual content and its perception in Turkey

Abstract

Social networking sites are full of references to the ideal body and nutrition at a time when using digital media has become the norm. Being a constant observer of social media and, in particular, so-called “health” trends such as “What I Eat in a Day” videos is a gateway to body image and eating disorders despite their claims of promoting healthy eating. Through content analysis and survey, this research examines some key messages in the “What I Eat in a Day” videos and how individuals exposed to these visuals and appearance-based comparisons respond to the videos regarding their healthy lifestyle habits. Results of the content analysis of thirty videos and a survey conducted with eighty people reveal that thematic and visual patterns influence media consumers through videos that reflect shape, weight, and eating concerns, restraint behaviors, and additional concerns about eating and body appearance. These results imply that these “healthy eating” videos have inherent damaging capabilities for young women who already lean toward disrupted eating behaviors.