Body Image and Physical Activity Flashcards
What is body image?
A subjective assessment of self - based on self observation as well as our perceptions of reactions of others
Includes a component of self esteem
What are the dimensions of body image?
Perceptual: How we imagine ourselves; the mental picture we have of our body and its function
Cognitive: How we think about/evaluate our body in terms of our mental picture of it and its function
Affective: Body related feelings (i.e. comfortable, proud, anxious disgusted) in relation to our appearance and function (aka body esteem)
Behavioural: What we do (choices, actions, behaviours) based on perceptions, thoughts or feelinngs
Body reality vs body ideal
Body reality: Actual physical characteristics - height, weight, body fat, LBM, bone structure, etc
Body Ideal: How we think our body should look and function
What is a body image disturbance?
When there is a difference between our body ideal and our body reality
What factors incluence body image?
Media - social media, models, etc. Promotes a strict, narrowly defined image of the ideal body
Culture - what is normal? Attractive? different per culture but generally favour thinner women across all ethnicities and cultures
Changes to body reality through growth and development. E.g. puberty, advancing age, puberty
Activity/sport participation - can alter body ideal either positively OR negatively. e.g. If body ideal becomes intensely fit or muscular, body image disturbance may increase
What is body neutrality?
Focusing on how your body functions and feels over how it looks. In practice, this looks like:
Exercising and eating nutritiously because it makes you feel good
Having treats but not excessively - because they make you feel good but not in mass amounts
What are some practical strategies to use when talking about body esteem and image?
Be a role model; discourage negative ‘body talk’
Encourage PA as a part of daily life, not (solely) as a means to lose weight/look better - Ex should focus on improving function, strength and endurance rather than just physical appearance
Structure workouts clients enjoy - may lead to greatest improvements in body image.
