The objectives of the study were to determine the nutrient intakes and to examine body image perceptions and weight concerns of elite female US international synchronized skaters. One hundred and twenty-three skaters (mean age = 17.0 ± 2.1 y; BMI = 21.32 ± 2.13) representing six US international synchronized skating teams from the 1998 competitive season participated in the study. Nutrient intakes were determined from 3-d dietary records. Body image perceptions were assessed from responses to silhouette drawings. Skaters completed an emotional and physical self-appraisal. Weight concerns were assessed using a self-administered validated weight history questionnaire. The reported energy intake was 26 kcal/kg. The contribution of carbohydrate, fat, and protein to total energy intake was 62%, 23%, and 15% for younger (14-18 y) and 62%, 24%, and 14%, respectively, for the older (19-30 y) skaters. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed between perceived ideal and current body shapes. The greater the dissatisfaction with physical and emotional self, the larger the discrepancy between current versus desired body shape. Results suggest that sports nutritionists should not only assess nutrition factors but also examine psychosocial and emotional correlates related to body image and weight concerns of synchronized skaters.
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Dietary Intake, Body Image Perceptions, and Weight Concerns of Female US International Synchronized Figure Skating Teams
Paula J. Ziegler, Srimathi Kannan, Satya S. Jonnalagadda, Ambika Krishnakumar, Sara E. Taksali, and Judith A. Nelson
Exploring Body Image and Body Mass Index of Male and Female Special Olympics Athletes
Justine J. Reel, Robert A. Bucciere, and Sonya SooHoo
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are largely marginalized within society and are understudied as a group (Reel & Bucciere, 2011). Although there have been numerous body image studies with able-bodied athletes, this study represents the first attempt to explore body image of male and female Special Olympics athletes. Athletes (N = 103) were 18–61 years of age (M = 33.34; SD = 11.20) and represented mild to moderate severity for diagnosable intellectual disabilities. Height and weight were measured to determine body mass index (BMI). Body image was verbally assessed via individual interviews using the Figure Ratings Scale and open-ended items. Female athletes had a significantly higher BMI (M = 33.02, SD = 9.28) than male athletes (M = 28.24, SD = 7.38). The BMI means for the female and male athletes met the classifications for obese and overweight, respectively. There was also a negative relationship between body satisfaction and BMI in the overall sample (r = -.46), male athletes only (r = -.51), and female athletes only (r = -.38, indicating that higher BMI was associated with lower body satisfaction. Descriptive statistics revealed that 51% of female athletes and 37% of male athletes desired a thinner physique, whereas 20% of female athletes and 29.6% of male athletes wanted to be larger. There were no significant gender differences in levels of overall body dissatisfaction in this study.
Competitive Bodybuilding: Positive Deviance, Body Image Pathology, or Modern Day Competitive Sport?
Mark T. Suffolk
The sport of competitive bodybuilding is strongly associated with muscle dysmorphia, a body-image-related psychological disorder. This theoretical article draws on existing concepts, namely stereotyping, prejudice, and positive deviance in sport, to explicate the notion that competitive bodybuilding and body-image disturbance may be mistakenly conflated. The perspective offered here goes beyond the countercultural physique to argue that a negative social perception of competitive bodybuilders obscures the pragmatic necessity to develop a hypermesomorphic physique. Competitive bodybuilders (CBs) and athletes in mainstream competitive sport exhibit congruent psychobehavioral tendencies. In a competitive-sport context, behavior among CBs perceived as pathological may primarily represent a response to the ideological sporting ethic of “win at all costs,” not extreme body-image disturbance. Analyzing the psychobehavioral characteristics of CBs within a sporting rather than a pathological framework, allows for a contextual assessment of behaviors to then determine the clinical significance relative to the research population under investigation.
Food Preferences, Dieting Behaviors, and Body Image Perceptions of Elite Figure Skaters
Satya S. Jonnalagadda, Paula J. Ziegler, and Judy A. Nelson
The objectives of this study were to determine food preferences, body image perceptions, dieting behaviors, and nutrient intakes of elite male and female figure skaters. Male (n = 23) and female (n = 26) figure skaters completed a food preference checklist, a questionnaire examining their demographics, dieting behaviors and body image perceptions, and 3-d food records. Male skaters had a higher preference (score ≥ 6) for grains, fruit, meat, dairy, fats, and sweets. Female skaters had higher preference for grains and fruits. Of the female skaters, 30% considered themselves overweight and indicated a preference for a thinner body contour. Both male and female skaters expressed a preference for leaner body contours for members of the opposite gender. Total energy intake, total fat (females) and dietary fiber were below the dietary recommendations. Vitamin E, vitamin D, folate (females), pantothenic acid (females), calcium (females), magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus (females) were less than two-thirds of the dietary recommendations. Macronutrient intake of male skaters was associated with preferences for the grain group, although no association was observed among female skaters. Results suggest that these behaviors and attitudes need to be assessed and addressed among figure skaters, given their impact on dietary intakes and overall well-being.
Social Support and Body Image in Group Physical Activity Programs for Older Women
Michelle Patterson, Meghan H. McDonough, Jennifer Hewson, S. Nicole Culos-Reed, and Erica Bennett
Positive body image is the acceptance, appreciation, respect, and favorable opinion of one’s body in terms of appearance, functionality, unique characteristics, and capability ( Wood-Barcalow et al., 2010 ). Positive body image theory posits that appreciating and celebrating the body can lead to
Maximal Strength Training as a Pathway to Positive Body Image: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of Female Powerlifters
Erin L. Kelly, Michelle Minehan, and Kate Pumpa
al., 2018 ), reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression ( O’Connor et al., 2010 ), and improving body image ( Campbell & Hausenblas, 2009 ; Hausenblas & Fallon, 2006 ; Reel et al., 2007 ; Santa Barbara et al., 2017 ). Body image is a multifaceted concept that involves an individual’s personal and
“I Kinda Feel Like Wonder Woman”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Pole Fitness and Positive Body Image
Ariel J. Dimler, Kimberley McFadden, and Tara-Leigh F. McHugh
building strength and flexibility through sensual dance movement ( Donaghue, Kurz, & Whitehead, 2011 ). The increased popularity and promotion of such exercise coincide with the increased emphasis on how to develop positive body image, especially among those who already possess, or may be at risk of
Body Image in Athletes and Nonathletes With Low Back Pain: Avoidance–Endurance-Related Subgroups and Sports Status Play a Role
Claudia G. Levenig, Michael Kellmann, Jens Kleinert, Johanna Belz, Tobias Hesselmann, Jahan Heidari, and Monika I. Hasenbring
known about the role of psychosocial subgroups in athletes. Figure 1 —The Avoidance–Endurance Model of pain. During the past decade, unfavorable facets of body image became of increasing interest, that is, perceptual aspects, such as misperceptions of the painful body part (eg, “I can’t find it,” “It
Correlates of Physical Activity Among Adults in Botswana: Sociodemographic Factors, Health Status, and Body Image
Leapetswe Malete, Chelsi Ricketts, Sisi Chen, and Jose Jackson
health and well-being. One psychological correlate of PA that has gained increasing attention in the literature is body image. Body image is multidimensional in nature and consists of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. 19 Past research on body image and PA has tended to examine PA as an
An Exploratory Investigation of the Body Image and Health Behavior Transition in Retiring Intercollegiate Athletes
Nick Galli, Skye Shodahl, and Mark P. Otten
personal improvement, high standards of achievement, and frequent attention from others (e.g., fans, media, peers), to the beginning of life as an “ordinary person.” Sport Retirement, Body Image, and Health Behaviors The sport retirement transition is multidimensional, forcing retired athletes to adapt
