2024/07/04 by Minh Duc Chu, Cinthia Sánchez, Chu, Minh Duc +9 · 1 citation
Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Computation and Language (cs.CL) #Computers and Society (cs.CY) #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Gender Roles and Identity Studies #Obesity and Health Practices #Social and Information Networks (cs.SI)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2407.03551
openalex publication_date 2024/07/04 · openalex created_date 2024/07/09 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The pervasive expectations about ideal body types in Western society can lead to body image concerns, dissatisfaction, and in extreme cases, eating disorders and other psychopathologies related to body image. While previous research has focused on online pro-anorexia communities glorifying the "thin ideal," less attention has been given to the broader spectrum of body image concerns or how emerging disorders like muscle dysmorphia ("bigorexia") present on online platforms. To address this gap, we analyze 46 Reddit forums related to diet, fitness, and mental health. We map these communities along gender and body ideal dimensions, revealing distinct patterns of emotional expression and community support. Feminine-oriented communities, especially those endorsing the thin ideal, express higher levels of negative emotions and receive caring comments in response. In contrast, muscular ideal communities display less negativity, regardless of gender orientation, but receive aggressive compliments in response, marked by admiration and toxicity. Mental health discussions align more with thin ideal, feminine-leaning spaces. By uncovering these gendered emotional dynamics, our findings can inform the development of moderation strategies that foster supportive interactions while reducing exposure to harmful content.