The Relationship among Body Mass Index, Body Image, Exercise Habits and Stage of Change in College-Aged Females

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Burger ◽  
Dennis Dolny

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among body mass index (BMI), body image perception, physical activity habits, and exercise stage of change in college-aged females. Volunteers (N = 134) completed a survey of demographics, Stage of Exercise Scale (SOES; Cardinal, 1995a; Cardinal, 1995b), Physical Activity History questionnaire (PAH; Jacobs, Hahn, Haskell, Pirie, & Sidney, 1989), and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ; Cooper, Taylor, Cooper, & Fairburn, 1987). Participants were categorized into five exercise stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Relationships between the variables were analyzed with Pearson r correlations. Kruskal-Wallis independence tests were also used for analyses. Approximately 60% of the participants reported current physical inactivity or irregular exercise. BMI and body image score were significantly linearly related, with higher body mass indicating more negative body image (r = 30, p <.017). Significant differences existed between exercise stages for physical activity score, X2 (3, N = 134) = 19.98, p <.05. Based upon follow-up tests participants in the maintenance stage had significantly higher physical activity scores than all other stages. No significant differences were found for BMI or body image between exercise stages. Regular exercisers had the highest frequency of disordered eating and weight-preoccupied attitudes and behaviors. The majority of these women were not currently regularly physically active, professed dissatisfaction with their current level of activity, and expressed a fear of being fat. Further study directed at specific factors related to body image and exercise behaviors, as well as the impact of stage-specific interventions are suggested.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myra Jane Bloom ◽  
Lakin Mckenzie Brown ◽  
Scarlet Rae Jost ◽  
Andrew Stuart Ian Donald Lang ◽  
Nancy Viola Mankin ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundHaving an abnormal body mass index (BMI) adversely affects cardiac workload and level of physical activity.ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between cardiac workload, physical activity, Sex, and BMI.MethodsThe number of steps taken per day (Steps) and minutes per week spent in targeted heart rate zones were collected from primarily first and second year university students (n = 1,801; 62% female) over a standard, 15-week long semester. Other data collected included BMI, Sex, Age, and Class Standing. Sex differences in BMI, Steps, and training heart rate zone (heart rates above 50% of max) minutes (THR) were evaluated, correlations between the study parameters were analyzed, and one-way ANOVA was used to test between competing models. The values p < .05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsStatistically significant (p < .05) differences between males and females were found for Steps, THR, and BMI. Males were more physically active but spent 18% less time with heart rates above 50% of max. Students who had abnormal BMI values, both low and high, experienced greater cardiac workload (p < .05), even though they were found to be less physically active (p < .05).ConclusionOur study revealed that university students with abnormal BMI values experienced greater cardiac workload, even though they are less physically active. Thus, physical fitness and healthy lifestyle interventions should also include underweight students in addition to students who are overweight or obese.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e1-e9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo-Suk Chung ◽  
Ki Ok Shin ◽  
Ju Yong Bae

Background and Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences in body image misperception, analyzed according to the body-mass index (BMI), physical activity, and health concern among Korean university students. Material and Methods Three-hundred-and-thirty-nine students participated. Body image misperception was examined through data on subjective body image perception and differences in the measured BMI. Results A total of 45.9% of the male students perceived their body shape measurements to be lower and 18.9% of the female students perceived them to be higher than the actual values. Body image misperception, according to the BMI, significant differences by gender were observed in the underweight (p < .045), standard weight (p < .000), and overweight groups (p < .000). For body image misperception, according to the amount of physical activity, significant differences by gender were observed in the inactivity (p < .001), minimum activity (p < .000), and health-enhancing activity groups (p < .000); significant differences by gender were also observed in the low health concern (p < .000) and high health concern groups (p < .000). Conclusion The prevalence of body image misperception was high, and the degree of misperception varies by gender. Therefore, educational efforts to reduce instances of body image misperception are needed for healthy weight management, and these efforts should take into consideration the gender differences.


Author(s):  
Futoon S. Alobiri ◽  
Roaa A. Alharbi ◽  
Mohammed R. Algethami ◽  
Raghdah H. Ateeq ◽  
Aseel M. Badurayq ◽  
...  

Aim: Identify the relation between poor esteem for body image and weight-related behaviors. The results will help increase awareness and improve students’ lifestyles to have a better body image and achieve ideal body weight. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among King Abdulaziz University medical students (n= 460) between July to the end of August 2019. Data was collected using the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), figure rating scale (FRS) and analyzed using SPSS software. Result: The results showed that the average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 24.80 ± 11.89. Participant sex was an important factor influencing the prevalence of obesity; male students were more obese than female students with a significant difference (p<0.001). The level of body satisfaction was also affected by gender. Students in preclinical years were more likely to gain weight more than clinical years students. Conclusion: The results show a significant relationship between body satisfaction and gender (P<0.0001) despite having diverse BMIs. Overweight and obese males and females' participants had the lowest body satisfaction. Females who were too thin and had low BMIs described themselves as normal, while males describe themselves as too thin. Conversely, females with high BMIs described themselves as too fat, while males described themselves as normal. This could be due to different factors. Also, underweight females and males have high body satisfaction, which can lead to dangerous behaviors to maintain low body weight which cause negative health consequences.


Author(s):  
Yangchang Zhang ◽  
Yang Xiong ◽  
Jia Dong ◽  
Tingting Guo ◽  
Xiaoman Tang ◽  
...  

Background: This paper investigates the problems regarding caffeinated drinks intake, late chronotype, and increased body mass index (BMI) among medical students at a Chinese university. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 with 616 medical students from Chongqing Medical University in Chongqing, China, whose information were collected by a self-reported questionnaire that included four sections: Demographic characteristics; Caffeinated drinks intake and physical state; Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to test the impact of late chronotype on increased BMI through caffeinated drinks consumption through two models. Results: The significantly mediated effect of caffeinated drinks consumption was revealed (estimate: −0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI [−0.02, −0.01]), and which played a positive role in linking late chronotype (B = −0.01, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001) and increased BMI (B = 1.37, SE = 0.21, p < 0.01), but their significant association did not be found in reversed model. In addition, physical activity and inactivity times demonstrated significant indirect effects in the two models. Conclusions: Interventions should focus on reducing caffeinated drinks intake and sedentary behavior time, enhancing physical activity among medical students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 00214-2020
Author(s):  
Magnus Svartengren ◽  
Gui-Hong Cai ◽  
Andrei Malinovschi ◽  
Jenny Theorell-Haglöw ◽  
Christer Janson ◽  
...  

Study objectivesObesity is often associated with lower lung function; however, the interaction of lung function with central obesity and physical inactivity is less clear. As such, we investigated the effect on lung function of body size (body mass index (BMI)), central obesity (waist circumference (WC)) and self-reported physical activity.MethodsLung function, height, weight and WC were measured in 22 743 participants (12 791 women), aged 45–75 years, from the EpiHealth cohort study. Physical activity, gender and educational level were assessed using a questionnaire.ResultsObesity, central obesity and physical inactivity were all associated with lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). However, in participants without central obesity there was an increase in both FEV1 and FVC by BMI (% predicted FVC increasing from median 98%, interquartile range (IQR) 89–110% in underweight participants (BMI <20) to 103%, IQR 94–113% in obese participants (BMI ≥30)). In contrast, there was a decrease in % predicted FVC in participants with central obesity (from 98%, IQR 89–109% in the normal weight group to 95%, IQR 85–105% in the obese weight group). We further found a negative association between physical activity and lung function among those with low and high levels of physical activity (% predicted FEV1 97%, IQR 86–107% versus 103%, IQR 94–113%, respectively and % predicted FVC 96%, IQR 85–106% versus 103%, IQR 94–113%, respectively). All results remained when calculated by z-scores.ConclusionsThe association between BMI and lung function is dependent on the presence of central obesity. Independent of obesity, there is an association between physical activity and lung function.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Hsieh ◽  
Tamar Heller ◽  
Julie Bershadsky ◽  
Sarah Taub

Abstract Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are at risk for obesity and physical inactivity. We analyzed a subset of 2009–2010 National Core Indicators (NCI) database to examine (1) the impact of three adulthood stages– younger (20–39 years), middle (40–59 years), and older (60 years and older) on Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity (PA); and (2) the relationship between social-environmental context (i.e., residence type, everyday choices, and community participation) and BMI and PA, with adjustment for individual characteristics of the adults with ID. Findings highlight the need to pay more attention to obesity by providing health education and emphasizing healthy choices. Results also suggest the importance of community participation as a way of promoting more physical activity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Coelho ◽  
Sandhi Barreto ◽  
Luana Giatti ◽  
Maria Del Carmen Molina ◽  
Maria Angélica Nunes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan R. West ◽  
James Dorling ◽  
Alice E. Thackray ◽  
Samantha E. Decombel ◽  
David J. Stensel ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo examine physical activity and dietary patterns in physically active individuals carrying different risk variants of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).MethodsA total of 528 white men and women (mean (SD): 34.9(9.5) years, 26.6(4.3) kg·m-2) were genotyped for FTO rs9939609 SNP. Sex, age and anthropometric measurements (stature, body mass, waist circumference) were self-reported using an online questionnaire, and body mass index and waist-to-height ratio were calculated. Physical activity level and eating behaviour were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), respectively.ResultsBody mass, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were not significantly different between individuals carrying different FTO rs9939609 risk variants (all P≥0.66). The cohort was physically active (4516(3043) total MET min·week-1), although risk allele carriers (AT/AA) reported higher total physical activity (effect size = 0.22, p=0.03), and homozygous risk allele carriers (AA) displayed higher TFEQ cognitive restraint (effect size = 0.33, p=0.03) compared with non-risk allele carriers (TT).ConclusionsObesity-related parameters were not different in physically active individuals carrying different risk variants of FTO rs9939609, but higher physical activity and cognitive restraint in risk allele carriers may reduce genetic predisposition to weight gain.


Author(s):  
Mahtab Senobari ◽  
Elham Azmoude ◽  
Marziyeh Mousavi

Background: The prevalence of sexual problems is high during pregnancy. Despite this, there are limited data about the impact of physical and psychological factors such as body weight and body image on sexual function in pregnant women. Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index, body image, and sexual function among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 206 Iranian pregnant women (106 with normal weight and 100 overweight women) in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy were surveyed. Survey instruments included the Female Sexual Function Index and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of female sexual disorder was 72.3% in this survey. Diminished sexual desire/appetite was the most common problem reported by the participants (37.9%). The mean score of sexual problem and body image were not significantly different among overweight and normal weight women in the 2nd (p = 0.945 and p = 0.800, respectively) and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (p = 0.310 and p = 0.507, respectively). Further, there were no relationships between the body mass index plus body image and the total female sexual function score (p = 0.44 and p = 0.837, respectively). However, the relationship between the appearance evaluation with lubrication (p = 0.043) and subjective weight with two subscales of sexual satisfaction (p = 0.005) and orgasm (p = 0.019) were significant. Conclusion: The findings from this study revealed that there were no relationships between body mass index plus body image score and the sexual function in pregnancy. Therefore, a further research is recommended to study other potential factors affecting sexual function during pregnancy.


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