Body image dissatisfaction and aesthetic exercise in adolescents: are they related? (original) (raw)
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The prevalence of inadequate eating behavior is high in athletes. However, little is known about the factors that affect this phenomenon in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of body dissatisfaction and level of psychological commitment to exercise (LPCE) with inadequate eating behavior in young athletes from aesthetic sports. Forty-seven female athletes practicing aesthetic sports (artistic gymnastics, synchronized swimming and high diving), ranging in age from 12 to 16 years, participated in the study. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Commitment to Exercise Scale (CES) were used to evaluate the risk behavior for eating disorders, body dissatisfaction and LPCE, respectively. Skinfold thickness was measured to calculate body fat percentage of the athletes. The results revealed a significant association between body dissatisfaction and eating behavior and between LPCE and risk behavior for eating disorders. Mul...
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Background: Evidence has shown that the prevalence of body dissatisfaction in youth has been increasing in recent years and it seems that adolescence is the main culprit. Objective: This study assessed body dissatisfaction in adolescents over one year. Methods: A total of 358 adolescents of both genders aged 11 to 14 years were investigated on three occasions (T1, T2, and T3). The investigation included collecting their height and weight for calculating body mass index (BMI) and administrating the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Results: The prevalences of body dissatisfaction in males and females differed significantly. Over time, dissatisfaction increased gradually in females and decreased in males (p < 0.05): females were more dissatisfied on T3 than on T1 and T2 (F = 9.71; p = 0.001) while males were more dissatisfied on T1 than in T2 and T3 (F = 12.55; p = 0.001). The scores between occasions T1, T2, and T3 also differed. Discussion: Over a period of one year, body dissatisf...
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Body image is a multidimensional construct encompassing how we perceive, think, feel, and act toward our bodies and lies on a continuum from healthy body perceptions to unhealthy body perceptions. Previous researches suggest that adolescent girls experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction than do their male counterparts. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate on gender differences concerning the perceived body dissatisfaction and uneasiness by adolescents and the role played by the physical education in the process of positive development of the mental representation of the corporeity. 100 students (14-15 years) participated voluntarily in the study and were assigned to trained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) regularly practicing sports outside the school hours, or untrained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) did not practice any extracurricular physical activity in the period before the study. After anthropometric measurements (BMI), two standardized psychological tests to assess the degree of personal satisfaction towards their body were administered (i.e., Body uneasiness test (BUT) and contour drawing rating scale (CDRS)). BUT and CDRS scores were significantly lower for total trained group and trained females (p < 0.05). Also, total trained group and males and females trained showed a significant lower BMI (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the untrained and trained males for BUT and CDRS. Findings showed a better bodysize perception and a smaller body uneasiness by trained adolescents. Moreover, girls showed anyway a greater dissatisfaction and uneasiness with the external appearance compared to their male counterpart.
Developmental Psychology, 2006
This study investigated prospective risk factors for increases in body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls and boys in the Eating Among Teens Project. At the time of first assessment (Time 1), participants were a cohort of early adolescent girls (N ϭ 440) and boys (N ϭ 366) and a cohort of middle adolescent girls (N ϭ 946) and boys (N ϭ 764). Participants were followed up 5 years later (Time 2). Potential prospective risk factors examined included body mass index, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, parent dieting environment, peer environment, and psychological factors. Predictors of Time 2 body dissatisfaction were Time 1 body dissatisfaction, body mass index, socioeconomic status, being African American, friend dieting and teasing, self-esteem, and depression. However, the profile of predictors differed across the samples.
The Journal of Psychology, 2002
Two hundred and thirty-five adolescents completed a questionnaire on the subject of eating attitudes, self-esteem, reasons for exercise, and their ideal versus current body size and shape. As predicted, boys were as likely to want to be heavier as lighter, whereas very few girls desired to be heavier. Only girls associated body dissatisfaction with the concept of self-esteem. Male self-esteem was not affected by body dissatisfaction. Specific reasons for exercise were found to correlate with low self-esteem and disordered eating, regardless of sex. The results are discussed in relation to burgeoning published research in this area.