Living in a Larger Body: Do Exercise Motives Influence Associations between Body Image and Exercise Avoidance Motivation?

Greenleaf, Christy; Rodriguez, Alexandra M.

doi:10.3390/ijerph18010072

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…': (a) I feel like other people are constantly judging me, (b) I'm uncomfortable with the idea of going to the gym where there are a lot of mirrors, (c) I don't go to the gym because there are a lot of slim people there. In the current research, Cronbach's α = 0.83, which is in line with reliability reports by [11], who reported a reliability of 0.79 for the full scale, and [41], who reported an α of 0.88.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 91%

Emotion in Motion: Weight Bias Internalization, Exercise Avoidance, and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions

Smith,

Ten Hoor,

Lakhote

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Weight bias internalization (WBI), the process of internalizing negative attitudes and stereotypes towards overweight individuals, significantly impacts self-worth and health behaviors, such as exercise avoidance. In the current study, we focused on the mediating role of fitness-related self-conscious emotions, particularly shame and guilt. A cross-sectional study involving 150 self-described overweight Dutch women (age M = 49.63 ± 10.72) was conducted online. Participants completed measures assessing weight bias internalization, exercise avoidance, and body/fitness-related self-conscious emotions. Data were analyzed using linear regression and mediation analysis, controlling for age, BMI, and exercise frequency. The results show that weight bias internalization, guilt-free shame, and shame-free guilt uniquely predict exercise avoidance. Guilt-free shame partially mediated the relationship between weight bias internalization and exercise avoidance, indicating that increased internalized weight bias led to higher levels of guilt-free shame, which in turn contributed to exercise avoidance. Shame-free guilt did not act as a unique mediator. These findings underscore the importance of addressing weight bias internalization and fitness-related self-conscious emotions, particularly guilt-free shame, in interventions targeting exercise avoidance among overweight individuals. Strategies promoting self-compassion and reducing shame may prove beneficial in improving exercise behaviors and overall well-being.

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 91%

Emotion in Motion: Weight Bias Internalization, Exercise Avoidance, and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions

Smith,

Ten Hoor,

Lakhote

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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“…Several theories have been used for the study and understanding of behavioral change, seeking to help this change in individuals in highly varied contexts. According to Michie et al [6], in a study where 83 theories related to behavioral change were presented, more than 30 of these theoretical models addressed motivation. However, self-determination theory (SDT) [7,8] has been the most used supporting theoretical framework to explain people's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional patterns in physical exercise [4,9].…”

Section: Self-determination Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study has shown that individuals will drop out in the first stages of practice [5]. In line with motivational theories, previous research has not provided a comprehensive examination of alternative cognitive factors when analyzing the commitment to exercise among individuals engaged in gym or fitness activities, such as body image (BI) and eating behavior [6]. Social networks influence the creation of stereotypes regarding the idea of an ideal body, usually with a distorted view of the BI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpersonal Behavior, Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation, Eating Behavior, and Body Image in Gym/Fitness Exercisers: A Systematic Review

Salvador,

Monteiro,

Rebelo-Gonçalves

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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Background: Body image seems to be a determining factor in the behavior and satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of exercise practitioners in gyms and fitness centers, and may influence motivation, interpersonal behavior, and eating behavior. This review aims to examine possible patterns between the variables under study in a gym/fitness context, specifically considering if body image perception has a determinant factor. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Psycnet were consulted and only data published between 2007 and 2021 were considered in the present review. After an initial search of 1373 records, a total of 6 were considered eligible for a detailed analysis after checking for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: There is a positive relationship between body image dissatisfaction and less self-determined forms of motivation, as well as the adoption of less healthy eating behaviors. Younger participants have higher levels of body image dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. Conclusions: Body image dissatisfaction leads to less self-determined forms of motivation for exercise in the context of gyms and fitness centers. On the other hand, a negative perception of body image can also lead to sustained patterns of less regulated forms of exercise and less healthy eating behaviors.

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“…In addition, exercise environments are not usually welcoming toward women whose bodies deviate from size‐normative standards of attractiveness, beauty, and the thin ideal (Flint & Reale, 2018; Schvey et al, 2017). Vartanian and Shaprow (2008) found that women with larger bodies avoid exercise due to the stigma toward obese individuals (Bombak, 2015; Greenleaf & Rodriguez, 2020; Meadows & Bombak, 2018). The globally increasing obesity rate reflects that the majority of the population has fallen below the recommended amounts of physical activity required for good health (Hill & Wyatt, 2005).…”

Section: Hypotheses Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing life satisfaction: Role of physical fitness, body satisfaction, and shopping

Yoo

Lee

2022

Family & Consum Sci Res J

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Body image is a complex and multifaceted psychological construct (Pruzinsky & Cash, 2002). In the past, most research focused on evaluative dimensions, identifying variables to influence and boost positive body satisfaction (Giovannelli et al., 2008;Tylka, 2018;Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015), and strategies to enhance health and well-being associated with body image (Tylka, 2018). Physical inactivity is closely related to negative body image attitudes and perceptions and is the most significant health threat (Blair, 2009). Physical activity is one of the most significant elements that positively impacts body satisfaction.Body satisfaction is a critical component of young adults' psychological distress and life satisfaction because young adults are under considerable social and peer pressure to conform to societal images of attractiveness and emulate the cultural ideal (Olchowska-Kotala & Chromik, 2013). Rudd and Lennon's (2000) qualitative study of body image indicated that clothing was mentioned as a way to camouflage an aspect of the body perceived as flawed or as a means of self-expression among female college students. Tiggemann and Lacey (2009) argued that clothing is used to manage and improve the appearance and presentation of female

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Living in a Larger Body: Do Exercise Motives Influence Associations between Body Image and Exercise Avoidance Motivation?

Cited by 8 publications

References 37 publications

Emotion in Motion: Weight Bias Internalization, Exercise Avoidance, and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions

Emotion in Motion: Weight Bias Internalization, Exercise Avoidance, and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions

Interpersonal Behavior, Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation, Eating Behavior, and Body Image in Gym/Fitness Exercisers: A Systematic Review

Factors influencing life satisfaction: Role of physical fitness, body satisfaction, and shopping

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