ITAA - KSCT Joint Symposium

To Leverage Social Media Influencers Speaking Beauty and Body Image: Data Mining of “What I Eat in a Day”

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Abstract

Structural inequalities profoundly shape the health of underserved populations, particularly at intersections of race and gender. Social media, however, can help counter these pressures through accessible, peer-generated content. The “What I Eat in a Day” (WIEIAD) content, daily meal videos tied to wellness goals, may be especially impactful when created by marginalized influencers, given that people are more influenced by those who share similar identities.
This study conducted semantic network analyses with YouTube WIEIAD videos from Black women health and wellness influencers to examine (RQ1) the messages they communicate and (RQ2) how audiences respond. The findings indicate that influencers frequently offer balanced content, pairing suggestions for maintaining a lean, muscular body with reassurance that viewers should not feel guilty about certain foods, particularly relevant for those navigating body image concerns or eating disorders. Audiences are actively engaged by asking questions, sharing goals, and supporting one another.

Keywords: Intersectionality theory, homophily, body positivity, eating disorder, health communication, social media, semantic network analysis, YouTube

How to Cite:

Lee, A., (2025) “To Leverage Social Media Influencers Speaking Beauty and Body Image: Data Mining of “What I Eat in a Day””, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21603