Module 9, Body Image in Sport and Exercise

Question 1

Bodies in the Media

Answer 1

• media portrayals are social constructions of what constitute ‘healthy’ and ‘attractive’ bodies
  ◦ they are made up as society has decided what a
  healthy, attractive body looks like

Question 2

Body Dissatisfaction

Answer 2

normative discontent: majority of children, adolescents and adults in Western cultures report dissatisfaction with body shape, size, weight or appearance (it is normal to be dissatisfied with your body in Western culture)

Question 3

Body Image: Definition

Answer 3

• multidimensional construct that reflects a person’s feelings, perceptions, thoughts, cognitions, and behaviour related to their body appearance and function
  ◦ it is multidimensional because it includes feelings,
  perceptions, though, cognitions and behaviour
  ◦ when talking about body image, the function of
  our body is important to note as well

Question 4

Body Image: Dimensions

Answer 4

body image is made up of affective, cognitive & perceptual and behavioural dimensions

Question 5

Body Image: Affective Dimension

Answer 5

body related feelings and emotions that stem from thinking about one’s body size, shape and function (weight is something that comes up, but we are thinking of more just than that)

Question 6

Body Image: Affective Dimensions (social physique anxiety)

Answer 6

type of body-related emotions:
1. social physique anxiety: anxiety from perceived or actual judgement by others (when others are negatively judging our body)
A. example: I am playing in a tennis tournament
and I experience anxiety because I feel that
others are judging my body negatively and think
that I am too big (it is social but it related to the
perception of others of our body)

Question 7

Body Image: Affective Dimensions (body-related shame)

Answer 7

type of body-related emotions:
body-related shame: negative emotion focused on the self (we attribute it to our global self)
◦ example: I am fat and therefore I am an ugly
person OR i did not work out today so i am a bad
person
◦ is tied to our self-worth

Question 8

Body Image: Affective Dimensions (body-related guilt)

Answer 8

type of body related emotion:
body-related guilt: negative emotion by failing to complete an action or behaviour (if it is not attributed to self)
◦ example: I feel guilty because I did not exercise
today (it is not always bad because it might have
you fix something you feel guilty about)

Question 9

Body Image: Affective Dimension (body-related envy)

Answer 9

types of body-related emotions:
body-related envy: negative emption that occurs when a person feels they lack another person’s superior quality and either desires to have it or wishes the other(s) lacked it
◦ example: I wish I looked like that Instagram
influencer OR my friend looks so good, I wish they
did not look like that

Question 10

Body Image: Affective Dimension (body pride)

Answer 10

body pride: positive emotion resulting from satisfaction with behaviour or appearance
◦ example: I feel good because I feel strong and
powerful

Question 11

Body Pride: Authentic Pride

Answer 11

a type of body-related pride focused achievement and outcomes requiring effort (try to nurture this in sports)
◦ example: I feel proud because I worked really
hard to achieve my goal of completing a 10km
race

Question 12

Body Pride: Hubristic Pride

Answer 12

a type of body-related pride focused on grandiose attributes of the self (better than everyone, highly correlated with narcissism)
◦ example: I am better looking than everyone in this
gym

Question 13

Body Image: Cognitive & Perceptual Dimension (perceptual dimension)

Answer 13

• the mental representation and/or reflections that an individual has of their body appearance and function
• level of accuracy between a person’s perceived characteristics and actual characteristics, either in relation to specific body parts or to the body as a whole (the bigger the gap, the more dissatisfaction the person may have)
• example assessment: manipulation of perceived size of body on computer screen

Question 14

Body Image: Cognitive & Perceptual Dimension (cognitive dimension)

Answer 14

• thoughts, beliefs and evaluations of body appearance and function
• questionnaires assess satisfaction or dissatisfaction with body size, shape, and function as well as beliefs and thoughts about body size, shape and function (to get it how people think about their bodies etc.)

Question 15

Body Image: Behavioural Dimension

Answer 15

choices and actions based on perceptions, feelings and thoughts about body size, weight and function

Question 16

Body Image: Behavioural Dimension (what behaviours are used to manage body image?)

Answer 16

many behaviours used to manage body image (to manage negative body thoughts):
- avoiding situation or events (or showing off)

• clothing management (wearing loose clothes (so people do not see outline of body), push-up bras, tummy support, high heels (to be taller), shoe lifts)
• dieting or weight control (including increasing calories) can lead to negative consequences and health implications
• steroid and other drug use (to bulk up and sometimes to lose weight)
• laxatives (to lose weight, common in those with eating disorders)
• engaging in sexual behaviour to feel better / attractive (in order to gain self-worth, sexual behaviour can help in their minds)
• body checking (eg. pinching stomach, appearance, checking in window and mirrors) - happens very often, can be detrimental to our body image

Question 17

Body Image: Positive and Negative

Answer 17

• body-related perceptions, cognitions, emotions and behaviours can be both positive and negative (might feel pride about your body because you are strong but can feel negative because your body size is not where you want it to be - these emotions can occur at the same time)
• absence of negative body image does not mean someone experiences positive body image (it just means it can be neutral)

Question 18

Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image (3 parts)

Answer 18

media, parents, and peers influences body image

Question 19

Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image (media)

Answer 19

• repeated media exposure to idealized and attractive images may promote self-criticism (people start criticizing their own bodies owed to repeated media exposure)
• facebook and instagram support positive (movement online of embracing bodies, being kind to our bodies OR if someone else engages in healthy life, someone may want to do so as well) and negative body image (if you feel you do meet the ideal seen online)
• desire to post favourably and self-promote may lead viewers to envy and shame

Question 20

Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image (parents)

Answer 20

• may influence negative body image through:
  ◦ rejection (if their children do not look certain way)
  ◦ setting appearance norms (what it means to look
  a certain way, for example, telling girls are
  supposed to be thin)
  ◦ modelling behaviour (parents who diet would
  have children who diet, as children can model
  parents)
  ◦ encouraging weight control (telling children to eat
  and exercise a certain way)
  ◦ behaviours like teasing and being negative

Question 21

Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image (peers)

Answer 21

• may influence negative body image through:
  ◦ social disapproval/rejection
  ◦ teasing
  ◦ body-related feedback about weight and shape
  ◦ negative commentary

Question 22

Social Comparison Theory

Answer 22

we often feel the need to evaluate our abilities and characteristics in comparison to others

Question 23

Social Comparison Theory - downward social comparisons

Answer 23

• comparing ourselves to those who are worse off than we are on attributes we value (eg. appearance, body shape, physical skill)
• can lead to positive feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, but can be problematic:
  ◦ linked to hubristic pride (we think we are better
  than others)
  ◦ what happens if/when circumstances change? -
  what if you are no longer better, it will lead to
  plunge in self-worth and drops in ego

Question 24

Social Comparison Theory - upward social comparison

Answer 24

• comparing ourselves to those who are better off than we are on attributes we value (ex. my friend jenny looks so much better than me, i am way worse than her)
• upward social comparisons have two possible outcomes:
  ◦ engaging in actions to reduce discrepancy
  between self and other (motivated to reduce the
  discrepancy)
  ◦ can lead to negative body image (do not feel you
  measure up to others)

Question 25

Physical Activity and Body Image

Answer 25

body image can serve two functions:
1. motivate self-protection, avoidance and withdrawal from physical activity behaviours (protect yourself from those bad feelings, if you feel others are judging you might not do any PA)
2. motivation for physical activity behaviours as a means of self-enhancement (can increase PA)

• negative emotions (eg. envy, shame, guilt, etc.) and negative cognitions (eg. actual: ideal discrepancies) are related to lower motivation and physical activity levels

Question 26

Physical Activity and Body-Related Pride

Answer 26

• body-related pride linked to self-determined forms of motivation and higher levels of physical activity
  ◦ hubristic pride may reduce likelihood of
  participating in PA because of “no need” (ex. i
  already look good no need to work out)
  ◦ authentic pride associated with engagement and
  persistence in physical activity (linked with more
  intrinsic motivation)

Question 27

Health Behaviours and Body Image

Answer 27

• high negative body image may lead to other health-comprising behaviours:
  ◦ cosmetic surgery, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual problems across lifespan, unhealthy eating regimes and excessive exercise

Question 28

Mental Health and Body Image

Answer 28

• higher levels of depressive symptoms have been associated with higher:
  ◦ drive for muscularity (boys and girls) - the more
  they want to gain muscle the more depressive
  symptoms they may possess
  ◦ social physique anxiety
  ◦ weight (adolescent girls)
  ◦ body dissatisfaction (boys)

Question 29

Cardio-metabolic Risk and Body Image

Answer 29

• studies reveal possible link between body, image, stress and physical health
  ◦ increased cortisol
  ◦ increased immune markers (C-reactive protein)
  ‣ linked to CV disease and depression

Question 30

Body Image, Health and Physical Activity: Gaps in Understanding

Answer 30

• LGTBQ+ identity and body image in physical activity
• race, body image, and physical activitY
• disability, body image, and physical activity
• intersectionality, body image, and physical activity

Question 31

Practical Implications: Health Professionals, Coaches, & Physical Educators

Answer 31

• create supportive environments that limit judgments, evaluations & dispel body ideals
• create appreciation of unique bodies
• create intervention strategies to manage appearance-related social pressures
• develop interventions that involve parents and peers in promoting positive body image norms

Question 32

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Answer 32

problem-based and action-oriented approach to address dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviours, and cognitions
◦ delivered by trained therapists