Effects of Aerobic Exercise on the Social Physique Anxiety and Body Esteem of Female College Students

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter P. Bartlewski

The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of exercise in reducing body image concerns of female college students. Women enrolled in an aerobic exercise course or in a social psychology course at a medium sized university reported their social physique anxiety and body esteem at the beginning and end of the semester. For women in the aerobic exercise classes, social physique anxiety decreased and body esteem increased over the course of the semester. Social physique anxiety and body esteem did not change significantly for those in the (nonexercising) social psychology classes. The researchers concluded that participation in aerobic exercise programs may help to improve the body image of female college students. Based upon these results further investigation of the mechanisms by which exercise influences body image is warranted.

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriett M. Mable ◽  
William D. G. Balance ◽  
Richard J. Galgan

The present study investigated the reliability and accuracy of the Body-image Distortion Questionnaire, a paper-and-pencil self-report measure. Forty male and 41 female college students completed the questionnaire on each of two occasions 21 days apart. Daring the second session, height, weight, and body build were measured. Results indicated that the questionnaire is a reliable and accurate measure of body-image distortion.


2000 ◽  
Vol 86 (3_part_2) ◽  
pp. 1149-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandy S. Wegner ◽  
Anita M. Hartmann ◽  
C. R. Geist

The purpose of this study was to assess the immediate influence of brief exposure to images taken from print media on the general self-consciousness and body self-consciousness of 67 college women. After viewing photographs of either thin female models or control photographs, the women completed the Self-consciousness Scale and the Body Self-consciousness Questionnaire. Although a was .45, the college women who looked at images of thin female models gave immediate ratings significantly ( p < .001) higher on both general Self-consciousness and Body Self-consciousness than those who looked at control images.


1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan C. Gustavson ◽  
Carl R. Gustavson ◽  
Monica P. Gabaldon

College students (56 women and 43 men) attending state colleges in the southwestern United States were tested for body-image dissatisfaction using a computer-based graphical body-image task. A reliable relationship between desired stature and desired body-image was observed for the women. Women of large stature showed a greater discrepancy between verbally reported desired stature and redrawn images of desired stature than women of average or smaller than average stature. No reliable discrepancy between desired body-image and verbally reported desired stature was shown by the men.


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