Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any exercise programme or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
There is no single body shape that proves someone is fit. A photo shows appearance, but it cannot show a person's strength, mobility, endurance or daily habits.
Social media can make one look seem normal or required. Current evidence suggests the comparison itself is part of the problem. A more useful approach is to judge activity by what you can do and how consistently you can take part.
Why online comparison changes the standard
A 2025 meta-analysis combined 83 studies with 55,440 participants. It found a moderate association between more online appearance comparison and greater body image concerns. Comparison was also linked with eating disorder symptoms and lower positive body image.
The review does not prove that social media comparison caused those outcomes. Most of the included evidence was observational, and the results varied by country, platform and participant group.
Australian figures show why the subject matters. In 2025, 33% of people aged 14 to 19 reported feeling stressed about body image. The national data also showed different rates for females, males and gender-diverse young people.
Fitness includes more than appearance
Body shape alone is not a complete fitness assessment. Australia's 2026 movement guidelines focus on behaviour, not appearance.
For adults aged 18 to 64, the guidelines cover moderate and vigorous activity, strength, mobility, balance, sitting time and sleep. These measures describe what a person does across a day and week. They do not set an ideal clothing size or body shape.
Appearance also cannot show someone's medical history or personal needs. Those questions need an individual assessment from a qualified health professional.
Use goals that describe what you can do
An Australian Deakin study followed 178 women for 10 days. Participants answered questions six times each day about exercise, appearance awareness and body satisfaction.
Women with greater body dissatisfaction were more likely to exercise for appearance-related reasons. They also reported smaller improvements in body satisfaction after exercise. The study used self-reported data from women, so it cannot establish the same result for everyone.
You can shift the focus by choosing goals linked to action or skill:
- attend a class twice each week for one month;
- walk a familiar route without an extra rest;
- learn one new swimming, dance or ball skill; or
- record strength, balance or mobility progress.
These goals give you information that a mirror or clothing label cannot provide. If an account repeatedly pulls your attention back to appearance, mute or unfollow it.
A supportive setting can change the experience
ABC News reported one useful exercise change. Rebecca Thomson initially struggled to finish the warm-up in a body-positive group. Before COVID-19 restrictions, she was attending four times each week for running, dance, yoga, boxing and strength work.
Her experience does not prove that one type of class works for everyone. It shows how a suitable trainer, group and non-weight goal can change whether someone keeps taking part.
If you want support, start with local groups on KeepActive. Ask the organiser what a first session involves, whether exercises can be adjusted and what experience the regular group has.
If body image concerns are changing how you eat, exercise or take part in everyday life, speak with your doctor or another qualified health professional.
