Education Commons^™

A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Obesity, Body Image, And Mental Health Of British-Born Afro-Caribbean Male Students At A West Yorkshire University In England, Johnson Mbabazi, Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso, Fiona Macgregor, Jeff Breckon, Edward Kunonga, Barry Tolchard, Rosemary Dawson, Jennifer Teke, Josette Bettany Saltikov, George William Kagugube, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Obesity, body image, and depression are all biopsychosocial phenomena that are frequently misunderstood across cultures. Body dissatisfaction is a psychological aspect of obesity that has been associated with disordered eating, low self-esteem, and depression. Nevertheless, body image dissatisfaction may affect non-obese individuals too. Those with a positive body image are more likely to participate in physical activity than those with a negative body image. Individuals who are satisfied with their body image are more likely to possess high self-esteem, confidence, and healthy eating habits. Obesity prevention among the black population is increasingly important. This study sought to examine the perceptions …

Encouraging Or Guilt-Inducing? An Analysis Of Fitspiration Content And Its Effect On Body Image And Lifestyle Changes, Brenna Mazour

Honors Theses

More people are acquiring their nutrition and exercise information from social media accounts called fitspiration. Analyses of fitspiration content have found the focus to be on restrictive diets and excessive exercise that’s appearance driven. Although its intent is to inspire its consumers to change their lifestyle, many speculate that it brings upon negative body image and induces guilt. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to determine why people take part in certain health behaviors, such as diets or exercise regimens posted on fitspiration. TPB shows how the characteristics of social media discourage people to use fitspiration as …

Health Behaviours As Mediators Of Relationships Between The Actual Image And Real And Ideal Images Of One’S Own Body, Anna Lysak, Dominika Wilczynska, Anna Walentukiewicz, Magdalena Podczarska-Glowacka, Karol Karasiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Health behaviours are consolidated and modified throughout human life; however, adolescence is a significant stage in the process of acquiring them. One of the identifiers of the represented health behaviours is a proper level of body fat influenced by self-assessment of own image. Material/Methods: The authors considered relationships between the real image, health behaviours and self-assessment of own appearance; these were analysed using a sample of randomly selected 830 adolescents. The body composition analysis was conducted by means of bioelectrical impedance, assessment of self-image was done with Stunkard’s Figure Rating Scale, and assessment of health behaviours was done with …

Dependence Between Body Image And Motivation In A Group Of Professional Swimmers And Track-Athletes, Aleksandra Budzisz, Monika Nawrocka

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The human body may be investigated on a variety of levels. This paper deals with the issue of self-perception of the body by sportsmen and motivation strategies they use. The aim of the study was twofold: firstly, to determine whether the sports discipline affects satisfaction with one’s own body and the level of motivation; and secondly, to establish if the type of sports motivation is dependent on the body image. Material and methods: The subject group comprised athletes (n = 42) and swimmers (n = 35). The subjects completed questionnaires. The research tools included the Body Esteem Scale (BES) …

Physical Activity And Body Image Of Women: Literature Review, Sonia Mosur-Kaluza, Monika Guszkowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

This study represents a review of literature on the relationship between recreational physical activity and the body image. This research encompasses 39 papers published between 2008 and 2015 that were available in the Academic Search Complete database. The results of comparative, prospective, and experimental research are ambiguous. These data suggest both a positive relationship between the body image and physical activity, i.e. a more positive body image among more active people and an improvement in the body image as a result of regular exercise, and a negative relationship, in particular, a more negative body image in persons engaging in “aesthetic” …

Examining Body Image And Its Relationship To Exercise Motivation: An 18-Week Cardiovascular Program For Female Initiates With Overweight And Obesity, Erin S. Pearson, Craig R. Hall

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: A healthy body image is related to better psychological well-being and can also impact one’s likelihood to engage in health promoting behaviours such as exercise. To date, there has been a paucity of research investigating the relationship between body image and Self-Determination Theory’s motivational regulations as a function of exercise participation. The purpose of this study was to examine these constructs over the course of an 18-week cardiovascular-based program for female initiates aged 18-45 with overweight and obesity. Material/Methods: Participants (n = 37; mean weight = 83.8 kg; mean waist circumference = 38.3 inches) were provided with a personalized …

Sport, Masculinity And Gender Relations, Arnaldo Spallacci

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The ideological and cultural approach towards sport has changed over time and must be linked with the changes in gender relations especially in the Western society. Therefore, the present paper brings to attention the relationship between men and exercise and discusses sport as an important practice for the cultural and physical construction of masculinity. The paper is a narrative analysis of the concept of sport and its socio-cultural significance over time, all presented in the context of gender relations. The analysis is based on information from European documents regarding sport and on statistical data at European level regarding the engagement …

Positive Body Image Among Polish Elite Athletes, Aleksandra Budzisz, Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aimed to analyze factors differentiating body appreciation among Polish elite athletes. Material and Methods: Participants were athletes, both men and women (N=408), who completed questionnaire BAS-2. Results: In general, men had a better perception of their body than women (p<0.01). Higher appreciation of the body was visible among women sprinters, opposite to volleyball players (p <0.03). Indirect competition for women was connected to higher body appreciation (p<0.05). Gender and individual/team sport also significantly differentiated appreciation of the body (p<0.02). Furthermore, training frequency in a week differentiated body appreciation (p<0.03), as well as characteristic of sports performance [indoor sports, and higher in water sports (p<0.02)]. Conclusions: Results suggest that not only the common category of the sport type – aesthetic, technical, strength – differentiates the body image. Equally important for differences in body appreciation is also gender, sport discipline, and background of sport training: frequency per week, the character of competition (direct-indirect), individual/non-individual competition, or characteristic of sports performance.

Examining The Effects Of Instagram On Body Image And Eating Disorders Among Adolescent Girls, Ellie Cuoco

Education Theses

Throughout the past decade, as social media begins to grow in popularity, individuals' mental health is being sacrificed. Therefore, providing others with the knowledge of the effects will tend to decrease these numbers. The purpose of this paper is to delve into the link between Instagram and body image and eating disorders in young adolescents. Women are more likely to suffer body dissatisfaction and develop an eating disorder when encountering Instagram body ideals. Implementing lesson plans, including parents, and engaging school personnel is an excellent way to start the conversation and address adolescent body dissatisfaction to counter the known negative …

Muffintops, Fat Rolls, And Self Love: Using Fat Young Adult Texts To Promote Body Positivity, Laura M. Davis

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

With the findings of Wood-Barcalow, Tylka, and Augustus-Horwath (2009) as a framework, this essay offers an analysis of two texts portraying fat protagonists: The Summer of Jordi Perez and the Best Burger in L.A. by Amy Spalding and To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin. I examine the authors’ depictions of fat characters to determine if the characters align with Wood-Barcalow, Tylka, and Augustus-Horwath’s (2009) definition of body positivity. Using critical content analysis (Short, 2017), I consider how relationships, environment, and self-concept support and work against body positive attitudes. This essay also includes suggestions for how educators can use these …

Body Dissatisfaction And Disordered Eating Among College Women’S Social Networks: An Investigation Of Perceived Changes Following A Dissonance-Based Body Image Intervention, Rachel I. Macintyre

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Body dissatisfaction is associated with numerous health consequences and is pervasive among college women. Effective interventions exist that reduce body dissatisfaction in college women by helping them resist sociocultural pressures to conform to the appearance ideal, such as the Body Project. Yet research is limited on whether social and behavioral processes help participants reduce their engagement in sociocultural appearance-ideal messages and contribute to the intervention’s effectiveness. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine these social and behavioral processes, including the changes in college women’s social networks associated with their participation in the Body Project. Undergraduate and graduate …

Increasing Adolescents' Awareness Of The Impacts Of Social Networking Sites, Karina Vega

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many adolescents are unaware of the impacts that social networking sites may have on them. According to Anderson and Jiang (2018), 95% of adolescents have access to a smartphone. Furthermore, Anderson and Jiang (2018) stated that 45% of adolescents are engaged with online activities on a continual basis. Social networking sites may affect adolescents' view of their body image and lower their self esteem. Anderson and Jiang (2018) discussed the difference between female and male adolescents' use of social media, reporting that 50% of female adolescents engage with social media on a continual basis compared to 39% of male adolescents.

The Ripple Effect: ‘Training The Trainer’ On The Impact Of Body Image Through A Dance/Movement Therapy Technique, Marina Gearhart

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis describes the capstone project which was a psychoeducation and experiential workshop for fitness trainers. The workshop investigated the impact trainers’ work may have on the body image of their clients through a dance/movement therapy (DMT) technique. The aim was to enhance the trainers’ sensitivity around body image issues of their clients and to create a space for vulnerable movement conversation that may in turn lead to better mental health advocacy for their clients within the scope of ethical practice. The participants of the workshop were six white female identifying trainers ranging from 24 to 35 years of age. …

Disordered Eating Behaviors Amongst Student Athletes, Sarah Wensink

Master of Education Program Theses

This research study investigated the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors amongst collegiate athletes as well as factors that increase one’s susceptibility to partake in disordered eating behaviors. The participants were 380 collegiate athletes from a small midwestern university. The participants were student athletes from a variety of different sports. Athletes were requested to complete a 26-item questionnaire that assessed their eating behaviors, perfectionist tendencies, health knowledge, and feelings surrounding body image and satisfaction. This research study explored the relationship between these factors. The results of this study found that female athletes may be more prone to report disordered eating behavior …

Changing Weight Management Self-Efficacy Among Obese Puerto Rican Adults: A Quantitative Study Using A Health Coaching Intervention, Richard Valentin Ayala, Josh Bernstein

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Obesity and associated healthcare-related issues continue to increase. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise, which has led many health professionals to find ways to improve health interventions. Health coaching can be a viable tool to reduce the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the effects of an 8-weekhealth coaching intervention in obese individuals from Puerto Rico and to determine if self-esteem and body image influence weight managementself-efficacy. Method: A pretest-posttest design using a weight management self-efficacy scale helped the researcher evaluate the effectof the coaching sessions. In addition, body image …

Body Esteem In College Students: The Influence Of Psychosocial And Demographic Variables, Jessica Gonzalez, Isabel Soto, Zavina Gonzalez, Chelsea K. Duncan, Brian E. Menaker, Amber M. Shipherd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Level of physical activity, BMI, and various psychosocial factors have been found to influence body esteem. Most body esteem research focuses on Caucasians, necessitating examination of the impact of these variables on body esteem in other ethnicities. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of psychosocial and demographic variables (e.g. media usage, peer/family influences, degree of internalization, perfectionism, level of physical activity, and BMI) on body esteem in students at a Hispanic serving institution. METHODS: Eighty-four participants, predominantly identifying as Hispanic (n = 64), completed measures of demographic and psychosocial variables. Participants also completed body esteem instruments before and after …

Gender Differences In Body Esteem Following Social Media Exposure, Isabel Soto, Jessica Gonzalez, Zavina Gonzalez, Chelsea K. Duncan, Brian E. Menaker, Amber M. Shipherd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Prior research has uncovered upwards of 90% of college students feel dissatisfied with their body image or appearance. Social media is one of the biggest influences of negative body image by pressuring individuals to adhere to often unrealistic appearance ideals. Women often have a more negative view towards their body, but the rate of males with body image disturbances has increased substantially. In addition to gender differences, ethnic differences have also been found in body image or body esteem, however, the majority of research has focused on Caucasians. This has created a need to examine body esteem in other ethnicities. …

Deconstructing Media In The College Classroom: A Longitudinal Critical Media Literacy Intervention, Andrea M. Bergstrom, Mark Flynn, Clay Craig

Journal of Media Literacy Education

While many studies have addressed the impact of media literacy interventions on knowledge of specific topic areas, few have explored improvements in media literacy skills as outcome measures. This study analyzed the impact of a media literacy intervention on participants’ critical thinking skills and understanding of media literacy principles by addressing the topics of body image and media representations of gender and race. A two-group, longitudinal experimental design was implemented using college-aged student participants across multiple course sections (n = 198) at a public university in the southeast. Results were significant for several media literacy measures for the treatment …

Illegitimate Bodies In Legitimate Times: Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Movement, Brian Culp

Faculty and Research Publications

Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concepts of state racism and biopower, the author of the 26th Delphine Hanna Lecture presents several claims: (a) that the idea of the illegitimate outsider in Western world governments like the United States has largely been influenced by ancient Greek ideals, (b) that a host of policies and intentional actions by power brokers create derision and hierarchies between “old” and “new” immigrant groups, and (c) neoliberal ideology couched in actions that aim “to protect the state” is nothing more than a recoding of traditional racist rhetoric that expands systemic racism. The author identifies the capabilities approach, …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level And Perceptions Of Body Image-- A High School Female Perspective: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Design, Nicole Anne Ludwa

Education Dissertations and Projects

Despite all the known social, mental, and physical benefits of physical activity, a large percentage of girls choose to engage in even less physical activity than they did as young children. Social acceptance is at its highest during the adolescent age and societal differences generated from parents, friends, and the media have created women whose general life contentment is often correlated to their perceived body image.

This mixed methods study—based on the social learning, social comparison, and feminist theories—sought to explore how physical activity level affects body image in high school females. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A; Kowalski, …

Implications Of Diverse Peer Interactions On Body Image Satisfaction And Cosmetic Surgery Acceptance Among College Students, Shamekia Labrittney Woods

Dissertations

Whereas body image satisfaction and cosmetic surgery acceptance has been widely studied over the last 30 years, these topics as they pertain to college students have not been examined extensively—most notably, the implications that diverse peer interactions have on students’ body image satisfaction and their acceptance of cosmetic surgery as a means of improving body image. Diverse peer interactions refer to interactions among peers of different racial and/or cultural backgrounds. For many college students, college provides the first opportunity whereby students may interact and engage to a great extent with students from racial and cultural backgrounds different from their own. …

Black And White Multiracial Adult Womens' Experience Of Their Physical Appearance: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis, Vanessa Geissler

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

According to the 2010 United States Census 1.8 million people self-identified as multiracial Black, and of that 1.8 million, 45% self-identified as Black and White. Multiracial individuals are a growing population in the United States, and by year 2050 an estimated 21% of the entire population will be multiracial. Irrespective of these statistics, research among this population is limited. Further research is warranted because existing literature has identified an increased emphasis on multiracial individual’s physical appearance. Questions such as, “What are you?” or labels such as exotic, beautiful, fascinating, or other, are a few examples of how this population is …

Social Physique Anxiety And Body Image Of Middle School Youth: A Longitudinal Study (Fffa2016-Web.Pdf), Mary Jo Maccracken, Robert E. Stadulis

Dr. Mary J. MacCracken

Developing Self-Love, Self-Worth, And Body Image Acceptance Through The Arts, Lillian Thomann

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Drawing from personal experiences as an artist-teacher, student, and woman the author develops a lesson plan designed to promote self-worth and body image acceptance for adolescents. The supporting teaching philosophy and unit rationale describe ways in which teachers can draw from art history and contemporary art to support and empower students. Through the creation of safe spaces teachers can develop platforms for students to express the challenges and triumphs they may experience as they struggle to accept their respective bodies and self-images.

African American/Latina High School Girls’ Preoccupation With Concepts Of Personal Beauty: The Impact On Self-Worth And Academic Performance, Bobbie Williams

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine African American and Latina high school girls’ understanding of how their self-worth and academic performance may be impacted by the amount of time used to achieve a desired physical appearance. This descriptive, qualitative study used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. The researcher conducted discussions with 11 African American and Hispanic American high school girls between the ages of 14-17, enrolled in grades 9-12. Results concluded that a majority of participants believed physical beauty was the most important quality in having a successful life and spent a significant amount of time applying …

Investigating Meaning Making: Body Image And The College Athlete Experience, Catie A. Greene

The William & Mary Educational Review

Four NCAA Division I female college athletes were interviewed about the meaning of the female college athlete experience and how each has come to view and treat her body as a female college athlete. Interview responses were assessed along Perry’s (1970) scheme of cognitive development. Because of the established relationship between the internalization of the societal thin ideal and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, an argument is made for promoting cognitive development along Perry’s scheme to foster female college athletes’ resilience to ED symptomatology. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

The Effect Of Interpersonal Relationships On The Body Image Of First Year, Women Of Color Studying At Predominately White Undergraduate Institutions, Lauren Kross

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

"The Effect of Interpersonal Relationships on the Body Image of First Year, Women of Color Studying at Predominately White Undergraduate Institutions" by Lauren Kross, a 2014 graduate student in the Gender and Women's Studies Department at Minnesota State University Mankato, focuses on how relationships and peer groups positively or negatively impact the body image of first year women of color studying at Minnesota State University Mankato, a predominately white undergraduate institution. The first year of college is a time that students experience many changes in their environment, academics, interests, and identity development. Their previously formed and newly formed relationships play …

Promoting Healthy Body Image In College Men: An Evaluation Of A Psychoeducation Program, Justin Henderson

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Current psychological research indicates that men are increasingly dissatisfied with their bodies (e.g., McCabe & Ricciardelli 2004; Olivardia, Pope, Borowiecki, & Cohane, 2004). The consequences of body image concerns range from mild discontent (e.g., body dissatisfaction) to the more pathological (e.g., muscle dysmorphic disorder, steroid use, and eating disorders). College-age men are at particular risk of body image disturbances. Drawing from body image research and theory, a one session prevention intervention was designed for college men to address this growing concern. The prevention intervention was intended to serve as a preliminary step into men’s body image prevention programming. The intervention …

Pepperdine Magazine - Vol. 3, Iss. 1 (Spring 2011), Office Of Public Affairs, Pepperdine University

Pepperdine Magazine

Megan Huard, editor.

Female Adolescent Body Image And Success At School: A Grounded Theory Approach To Creation Of Administrative Best Practice, Erin K. Murphy

ETD Archive

At present, school administrators do not have necessary information to create a school environment where teenage girls unhappy with their bodies can experience success at school. This research surrounds three research questions: 1. How do adolescent girls' definitions of their bodies relate to their perception of their high school's climate? 2. How does the manner in which adolescent female girls define their bodies relate to their success in school? 3. What is the nature of adolescent girls' and high school administrators' perceptions of how adolescent girls' body image influences administrative practice? Four school administrators and ten high school girls were …