Association between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Goals for Physical Activity Practice in Fitness Center

Abstract

Verifying the association between body image dissatisfaction and goals to the physical activity practice. The sample consisted of 299 goers of fitness center, of both genders, with ages between 16 and 50 years old. Information about gender, age, educational level, socioeconomic level and goals for the physical activity practice were collected using a previously tests questionnaire. Regarding the goals, the participants should identify if the motivation for the practice was related to aspects health, aesthetic or social relationships aspects, choosing yes or no. The body image was determined using the set of silhouettes and to verifying the body image dissatisfaction we considered the difference between the current silhouette and the ideal silhouette pointed out by the individuals. Numerical variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as absolute and relative frequency. Pearson's chi-square test was used to verify the associations among goals to the practice, gender, and age group. Analysis of variance was used to verify the associations between the goals to the practice and the body image dissatisfaction. There was a low statistically significant correlation between body mass index and body image dissatisfaction (r s 0.29 -p < 0.001). The proportion of women (69%) who practiced physical activity with aesthetics goals was higher than that of men (31%). In addition, 92% of the sample showed body image dissatisfaction. Regarding the goals to the physical activity practice, men aimed more muscular body while the women wished more lean body. Men and women have different perceptions regarding body image.

The Role of Bodybuilding in the Transformation of Grief.

“…Despite this, the limited literature available does agree on various key points. Firstly, that appearance related goals and problematic body image are on the increase, ranging from the stereotypical female wanting to lose weight and be smaller, to males wishing to be larger or bigger and more muscular (Bailey & Gillet, 2012;Bonoto Vieira Da Cunha et al, 2018;Gruchy, 2018;Korevaar, 2018). There is of course crossover, but these two are identified trends and still considered the most socially acceptable 'norms' (Grogan et al, 2014).…”

“…One might consider bodybuilding at the pinnacle of society's projections of the idealised body and at the height of aesthetic standards (Bonoto Vieira Da Cunha et al, 2018). Travelling to the extremes of beauty and ugliness, it is an intriguing and fascinating part of contemporary western culture (Monaghan, 2012).…”

“…The impact of the explosion of the fitness industry played out in several of the mens' stories ranging from how bodybuilding has been watered down and commercialised to the role the industry plays in promoting and maintaining poor body image and the consequential impact on mental health and the growing use of steroids (Bailey & Gillet, 2012;Bonoto Vieira Da Cunha et al, 2018;Gruchy, 2018;Korevaar, 2018). A clear thread of working within the fitness industry revealed itself within the men's stories with five of the eight men employed there, it's worth noting that of the other three participants only one worked within a completely unrelated field.…”

“…A clear thread of working within the fitness industry revealed itself within the men's stories with five of the eight men employed there, it's worth noting that of the other three participants only one worked within a completely unrelated field. If we are to perceive bodybuilding at the pinnacle of the idealised body (Bonoto Vieira Da Cunha et al, 2018) we might also consider it at the pinnacle of the fitness industry. Gruchy (2018) proposed that men working within the fitness industry are at the greatest risk of body dissatisfaction which might assist us in our understanding of the role the industry plays.…”

“…The role of politics cannot be overlooked in cultivating this type of society in which people are less satisfied than ever and consuming more than ever to fill the inner emptiness which might be considered a cultural sign of 2018 (Brand, 2017). The food industry plays a part with levels of obesity and eating disorders rising alongside body dissatisfaction and a growing fitness industry (Bonoto Vieira Da Cunha et al, 2018). There are gyms everywhere, again promoting these idealised body types.…”