Body Figure Idealization and Body Appearance Pressure in Fitness Instructors

Abstract

PurposeThe fitness centers are settings for health promotion, yet may serve as a stage for counterproductive figure idealization. Such idealization may take the form of a drive toward the thin, the muscular, or lean body figure ideal, which all hold the potential to impel an experience of body appearance pressure (BAP) and body dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore figure idealization, body dissatisfaction, and experience of BAP in fitness instructors.Materials and MethodsFitness instructors, 70 (23%) males and 236 (77%) females, were recruited through their facility chief executive officer and social media for a digital survey on mental health. Results are presented for body appreciation (BAS-2), body dissatisfaction (EDI-BD), drive for muscularity (DM), drive for leanness (DLS), questions on BAP, symptoms of eating disorders (EDE-q), and history of weight regulation and eating disorders (EDs).ResultsAttempts to gain body weight were reported by 17% of females and 53% of males, whereas ∼76% of males and females, respectively, reported to have attempted weight reduction. Reasons for body weight manipulation were predominantly appearance related, and 10–20% reported disordered eating behavior. Mean BAS-2 and EDI-BD were acceptable, but 28% of females were above clinical cutoff in EDI-BD, and mean DLS were high in both sexes. In total, 8% of females were above clinical cutoff in EDE-q, which corresponded well with the self-reported ED. Approximately 90% of the sample perceived BAP to be a societal issue and reported predominantly customers and colleagues to be the cause of their personal experience of BAP. Fewer than 50% knew of any actions taken by their employer to reduce BAP. There were few differences according to profession or educational level.ConclusionFitness instructors report BAP to affect them negatively, which may put them at risk of impaired mental health. Educational level did not protect against figure idealization and BAP. To care for their employees and to optimize their position as a public health promoter, the fitness industry should target BAP in health promotion programs.

Sexual Harassment in Fitness Instructors: Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Mental Health Correlates

“…Rather than respecting the instructors for their professional competence, the objectification of their body undertaken by themselves in their own marketing strategies, also seen in the general promotions by the fitness industry, may give an impression by the customer that verbal and nonverbal approaches toward the instructors body figure and appearance are appreciated (28). We recently reported on the high level of body figure idealization and experiences of body appearance pressure in this sample, which may underline such suggestion (15). The current results also identified verbal harassment as the most common form of SH (83% of all instructors who reported any form of SH).…”

“…Nevertheless, there is scarce knowledge on the extent of SH in the fitness industry. We recently reported that a high frequency of fitness instructors experienced body appearance pressure (15), which points to a serious consequence of working within an industry where body appearance has been idealized for decades (13,16). Working on profit-based contracts, relying on a "bodily capital" (i.e., relying on body appearance to win customers, as this may promote credibility on health and exercise knowledge) (14), may increase the risk for experiences of SH.…”

Compulsive exercise and mental health challenges in fitness instructors; presence and interactions

“…Prevalence of compulsive exercise was comparable to previous studies from exercising populations [7], yet much higher compared with predictions from the general adult population (9% versus 0.5%) [19]. One could speculate whether the occupation of fitness instructors attracts people susceptible to compulsive exercise and eating disorders, as the prevalence of eating disorders also have been found higher compared to the general population [4,5]. Another explanation may be that the fitness club environment possibly further facilitates compulsive exercise behavior.…”

“…The current results are a secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study in which fitness instructors in Norway were recruited between November 2019 and March 2020 [5]. The study aimed to measure body figure idealization and experiences of body appearance pressure, routines and motives for diet and physical activity, and mental health challenges.…”

“…Keywords: Dysfunctional exercise, Compulsive exercise, Disordered eating, Depression, Anxiety, Physical activity, Fitness centers, Personal trainer, Group instructor, Eating disorders Background Fitness instructors (group training instructors and personal trainers) are exercise professionals considered as important facilitators for adaptation and maintenance of a healthy and physically active lifestyle in fitness club members [1][2][3]. Contrasting to this important role as healthy ideals and motivators, previous studies have found prevalence of 17 to 59% of eating disorders or disordered eating behavior among fitness instructors [4,5]. Such unhealthy behavior has been associated with high exercise load [6] and compulsive exercise [4] and thus call for concern.…”