Family and friends can be more effective health role models than celebrities, researchers say. — AFP
FROM fashion and beauty to fitness and food, influencers now offer advice, tips and recommendations in a wide range of fields, including health.
The good news is that promoting a healthy lifestyle has become commonplace on social networks, and users are now taking inspiration from content creators, and even celebrities, to change some of their lifestyle habits.
But are these celebrities and influencers really the best health role models? That’s the question that American researchers set out to investigate.
Researchers at Washington State University surveyed 404 adults who claimed to have been inspired by role models in the health field.
They were asked about their motivations in terms of physical and mental health, and the role models – or types of role models – that inspire them.
Published in the journal Health Communication, their findings suggest that having a personal role model, such as a family member or friend – or even a healthcare professional – has a greater impact on health motivation than a celebrity influencer.
Family and friends as role models
“We know that parents have a huge influence on shaping people’s health trajectories throughout their life just by teaching them about physical fitness and nutrition,” said the lead author Nicole O’Donnell, a Washington State University communications researcher, quoted in a news release.
“As this research shows, parents’ influence does matter, and it’s long-lasting, even well into adulthood.”
In detail, the study reports that when looking for inspiration in terms of health – including a healthy lifestyle – participants are primarily concerned with “perceived similarity,” in other words, they look for a role model who is similar to themselves.
As a result, almost two-thirds (64%) turn first and foremost to a family member, peer or acquaintance. It should be noted, however, that women were 2.5 times more likely than men to choose this kind of personal role model.
“If you see a friend get a gym membership, or decide to run a half-marathon, you’re able to follow their journey, and you also have similar resources to be able to do the same thing,” O’Donnell said.
“Celebrities often have personal chefs and trainers – they have a lot of resources that we don’t.”
However, this does not mean that celebrities are not a source of motivation for people. They may not have the greatest influence, but they can have a positive impact, say the authors of this research.
In this respect, Dwayne Johnson, LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michelle Obama were the public figures most cited by the study’s United States’ participants. – AFP Relaxnews
