SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE, BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRENDS AMONG URBAN TEENAGERS

Authors

  • Dr. Yashpal Azad Assistant Professor, Eternal University, Baru Sahib Himachal Pradesh INDIA

Keywords:

Social media, body image, physical activity, adolescents, digital influence, Instagram fitness culture, teenage health, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, urban youth behavior

Abstract

In today’s digital landscape, social media has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily routines, profoundly influencing their behavior, attitudes, and perceptions. This research investigates the complex interplay between social media usage, body image perception, and physical activity habits among urban teenagers. A total of 350 adolescents aged 13 to 19 from five metropolitan schools in India were surveyed using validated instruments such as the Social Media Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ), Body Image Satisfaction Scale (BISS), and Physical Activity Logbook. The study aimed to assess how excessive exposure to curated social media content affects adolescents’ self-perception and whether it motivates or hinders physical activity. The findings reveal that high social media users (more than 3 hours/day) are more likely to report dissatisfaction with their body image and exhibit inconsistent physical activity patterns. Gender-based analysis showed that females experienced greater body dissatisfaction, while males were more prone to emulate fitness influencers. The study highlights the need for digital literacy, body positivity programs, and structured physical activity integration within school systems to ensure balanced development.

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References

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Published

2025-09-11

How to Cite

Dr. Yashpal Azad. (2025). SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE, BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRENDS AMONG URBAN TEENAGERS. International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences Established in March 2014 | Published Quarterly (March, June, September, December), 13(01), 24–32. Retrieved from https://ijobsms.org/index.php/ijobsms/article/view/525

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 01 (2024): JAN-MARCH 2024

Section

Articles

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