scholarly journals Body Image, Weight, and Self-Concept in Men

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Montgomery Sklar

In the traditional debate between biological and environmental determinants of body weight, the body has most often been explored in terms of its anatomical, genetic, or hormonal influences on personality, experience, and behavior. While obesity has been identified as a threat to our public health, correlating attitudes toward body image and self-concept have been explored within women to a limited extent, and even less so in relation to men. Consequently, men’s body image will be discussed in light of current literature reveals for women. For men, as for women, as the social pressure to attain an “ideal” physique increases, the discrepancy between that ideal and one’s body increases as well. This dynamic is more readily recognized for women than for men. As men are socialized not to discuss their body image concerns, negative self-concept and esteem may reinforce behaviors resulting in weight gain. In recent years, the proliferation of media has served to reinforce messaging related to one’s body. This review of existing data and literature suggests that body image and self-concept are related to body weight in men (as with women) and need to be addressed as part of healthy weight management practices.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Ziółkowska ◽  
Jarosław Ocalewski ◽  
Aleksandra Da̧browska

Introduction:Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is a construct of prophylactic importance, useful in the selection of people showing a tendency to use restrictive diets and increased concentration on the body. The aim of the research was to verify the significance of the type of physical activity, body perception and familism for the development of ARS.Material and Method: The research was carried out in the first half of 2021on a sample of 163 girls. It consisted of: (1) physically inactive girls (n = 48), (2) physically active girls in disciplines other than aesthetic (n = 69), (3) girls engaged in aesthetic physical activity (n = 46). The study used: Anorexic Readiness Syndrome Questionnaire (ARS-12), Familism Scale (FS) and Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ).Results: The highest average ARS score was recorded in the group of girls engaged in aesthetic activity. A significant difference in the severity of ARS occurs between people who do not engage in activity and those who practice aesthetic activity. The severity of ARS rises as the difference between real and ideal body weight increases. People active in aesthetic disciplines who obtained a high score on the Respect scale (FS subscale) have a lower ARS score than those physically active in other disciplines who obtained low scores on the Respect scale. The higher the score on the Material success and achievement scale (FS), the greater the ARS intensity in all subgroups. What is much more important in shaping ARS is the perception of your body. The focus on eating and body weight and Clothing and appearance (BIAQ subscales) are relevant to the ARS and moderate the relationship between Material success (FS subscale) and anorexic readiness.Conclusions: People engaging in aesthetic physical activity are more likely to suffer from ARS. The family can certainly prevent a child from developing anorexic readiness by shaping a sense of community and family identity, a clear division of roles, limiting the importance of materialism and competition in raising children. The prevention of ARS and eating disorders should also focus on strengthening the realistic assessment of body parameters and their acceptance, as well as promoting strategies for healthy weight control.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Duarte ◽  
C. Ferreira

Abstract Purpose Body image shame plays a key role in disordered eating symptoms and psychological adjustment. Nonetheless, research has been mainly focused on women. The Body Image Shame Scale (BISS) was previously developed and tested in a nonclinical sample of women. This study examines the BISS in a male sample comprising students and community participants. Methods Participants were 420 men, who completed the BISS and self-report measures of shame, self-criticism, body weight and shape concerns and psychopathological symptoms. Results The previously identified structure of the BISS, with an external and internal dimension, fitted the data well. All items presented high reliability. The BISS total score and its subscales in men present high construct reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. Correlation analyses indicated that BISS and its subscales in men present positive associations with general shame and self-criticism, body weight and shape concerns, and with indices of poorer psychological adjustment. Conclusion Findings supported that the BISS is a reliable measure to assess body shame in men.


Author(s):  
Nadia Fahad Joudeh, Suhaila Mahmood Banat

This study aimed to reveal the level of satisfaction of the body image and its relationship to the reasons why young women are undergoing cosmetic surgery from their perspectives. The sample of the study consisted of (150) young women who visit private beauty clinic. Two scales were developed: a scale of the level of satisfaction of body image consisting of (34) item and a scale of the reasons of why young women are undergoing cosmetic surgery consisting of (39) item. After insured the scales' validity and reliability, the descriptive-correlational approach was used. The results of the study showed that the level of body image was moderate, and for the reasons of why young women are undergoing cosmetic surgery; the psychological dimension came in the first rank, While the vocational dimension came in the last rank. The results also found a positive correlation between body image satisfaction and the reasons why young women are undergoing cosmetic surgery. The results did not show differences in the level of satisfaction of the body image to the variable of marital status and economic level. While the results showed dissatisfaction with the body image due to age in favor of the category (31-40) and the educational qualification in favor of a diploma degree and below. As for the reasons for the young women undergoing cosmetic surgery, it was found that there were no statistically significant differences in the marital status and educational qualification variables, also, there were differences due to age only on the social dimension and in favor of (31 - 40), and there were differences attributed to the economic level in the social dimension in favor of the category (500-1000). Considering the results, the researcher recommended reinforcing the body image through nurture and guidance to raise the level of satisfaction with body image and to conduct more surveys, qualitative, and experimental studies related to cosmetic surgery other than the target category in this study, and for both sexes.


Author(s):  
Irina David

The aim of this chapter is to highlight how the female body and the social practices that it is subject to are depicted in Émile Zola's literary work as indicators of dominating perceptions in 19th century patriarchal French society with regard to social roles in general and women's role in society in particular. Rather than focusing on an anatomic, biological analysis of the body, the discussion will turn to the body as a social construct, as metaphor for the overall treatment of women as beings whose appearance and behavior have to constantly be regulated for them to no longer constitute a threat to the male-centric society they live in.


2021 ◽  
pp. 229-243
Author(s):  
Jonathan Cole

In neurological illnesses, the body may present itself to perception in ways which allows insights into the concepts of body image and body schema. Three such conditions are explored. From those who live with spinal cord injury, paralysed and insentient from the neck down, aspects of the importance of the body in one’s sense of self are revealed. Some also describe a coming to terms with their altered bodies. When considering the body image, its adaptability and this reconciliation to a new normal should be considered. Studies on acquired severe sensory loss explore how conscious control, at the body image level, may partially replace the deafferented body schema. There is little evidence, however, for these subjects extending access to previously non-conscious motor schema. Lastly, some narratives from those with congenital absence of movement of facial muscles describe reduced emotional experience and felt embodiment as children. These can be developed as young adults, through shared social interactions. The importance of the social in elaboration of the body image is further implicit in a consideration of the stigma associated with facial disfigurement. Others’ responses to one’s body are crucial in developing our body image and sense of self.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Poudrier ◽  
Janice Kennedy

Obesity and its associated health risks have been identified as areas of concern for First Nations women, however, very little is known about the cultural, gendered and historical meanings or experiences of healthy body weight and healthy body image from the perspectives of First Nations women. This article describes the first phase of a project that explores these issues from the perspective of First Nations women living in rural communities of the Battleford Tribal Council (BTC) region of Saskatchewan. We describe the start up phase of our community-based research program. We detail the processes involved in the development of our research team and the research project, including a community consultation (a sharing circle and focus group) that was held with six BTC women. We also describe the outcomes of the consultation, which was intended to provide an appropriate direction for our research program and to gain an understanding of BTC women’s perspectives on healthy body weight and body image. Through our analysis, we identify three interconnected themes related to perceptions of the “healthy body” in the context of BTC communities. These themes are: 1) the importance of Elder knowledge and traditional values in promoting community wellness; 2) the importance of understanding family history and the role of women; and 3) the need to better understand the practical aspects of purchasing and preparing healthy food. As such, we suggest that in order to enhance community programming related to healthy body weight and body image, it is essential to understand the ways in which First Nations women experience and give meaning to their bodies and the “healthy body” in the socio-cultural and historical context of the BTC communities. We also suggest that further exploration of these meanings with BTC women, analyzed with the concept of “embodiment”—which addresses the complex intersections between the physical body and the socio-cultural experiences of the body—will constitute an important second phase of our work.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherilyn N. McLester ◽  
Robin Hardin ◽  
Stephanie Hoppe

Context: Research has suggested that the prevalence of young women with eating disorders (EDs) is increasing, but determining the exact prevalence of EDs within the female student–athlete (FS-A) population is difficult. Looking at certain traits may help us to identify their level of susceptibility to developing an ED. Objective: To determine the susceptibility of FS-As to EDs in relation to self-concept, including self-esteem and body image. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Athletic training and health centers at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III institutions via e-mail questionnaire correspondence. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 439 FS-As from 17 participating institutions completed the questionnaires. The sample was primarily white (83.1%) and underclass (61.8%). Main Outcome Measure(s): The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: 3 subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and demographic items. Results: A total of 6.8% of FS-As were susceptible to anorexia and 1.8% were susceptible to bulimia. The majority of FS-As (61%) reported normal self-esteem levels, whereas 29.4% had high self-esteem. Overall, 64.5% were satisfied and 23% were very satisfied with their body image. Conclusions: These results are generally positive in that they suggest FS-As have high levels of self-concept and are at low risk to develop EDs. However, these findings do not mean that all concerns should be dismissed. Although more than 90% of the respondents were not susceptible to an ED, there are still FS-As who may be. Athletic departments should evaluate their FS-As' levels of self-concept so that their susceptibility to EDs can be addressed. The emotional aspect of health care should be included in providing holistic care for student–athletes. Athletic trainers often are the primary health care providers for FS-As, so they should be made aware of this concern.


1990 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamar R. Kelson ◽  
Ann Kearney-Cooke ◽  
Leonard M. Lansky

Women's body-image has social and personal implications. Judgments about the body can be based on appearance (public body-consciousness), internal sensations (private body-consciousness) or body-effectiveness (body-competence). The correlates of body-image and beautification were studied in a group of 245 female undergraduates who completed a body-beautification questionnaire, the Body-consciousness Inventory, the Body-cathexis/Self-cathexis Scale, and questions on feminist identification. Significant correlations were found between public body-consciousness and beautification. Body-cathexis was also correlated with body-competence. For feminists, a competent body was correlated with awareness of internal sensations, while nonfeminists connect a competent body with appearance. Results were discussed in relation to the social and cultural pressures for women to focus on appearance.


1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1195-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Cullari ◽  
Roselyne S. Trubilla

20 normal-weight college women were tested for body-image distortion and given the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. Body-image distortion was present in one-half of the sample and seemed to be related to cognitive factors. There was no evidence of perceptual abnormalities in the subjects, and body-image distortion was not correlated with body weight or low self-esteem.


Author(s):  
Amrit Virk ◽  
Parmal Singh

Background: Body image refers to how individuals think, feel and behave in relation to their body and appearance. During adolescence self-perception about their appearance is important to the development of self-esteem and is also understood to be an important predictor of self-worth. Research has shown that inappropriate perception of the body image and dissatisfaction can lead to physical and psychic problems in the youth. In today's society, with the growing sense of ideal body image, adolescents and young adults try to lose or gain body weight to attain perfect body. The objective of the study is to find out the proportion of students dissatisfied with their body image, and the association of various determinants with body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 125 first year medical students located in rural Haryana. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on various determinants associated with body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem.Results: Body image dissatisfaction was present among 16.8% of the students. Low self-esteem was observed among 21.6% of the students. Low body mass index (<18.5) was found to be significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction. A moderately positive correlation (r=0.384, p<0.001) was observed between self-esteem and body image satisfaction.Conclusions: Study findings support the fact that body image dissatisfaction has its impact on self-esteem among college-going youth. It is imperative that effective interventions be planned to educate the youth on ideal body weight and protect this young generation from pressures and consequences of negative body image.


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