How body image perceptions influence the health habits of young fitness enthusiasts

How body image perceptions influence the health habits of young fitness enthusiasts

A study conducted at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain, finds that negative body image perceptions can potentially lead to poor physical and mental health among young adults participating in strength training programs.

The study is published in the journalNutrients.

background

Body image is a person's perception, emotion, and knowledge about their body. Personal experiences, social norms, and social media portrayals can influence a person's perception of body image.

Existing evidence suggests that negative perceptions of body image can influence eating behavior, psychological state, and physical well-being in people, particularly adolescents and young adults. Dissatisfaction with body image can weaken self-confidence, hinder social engagement, and affect the quality of interpersonal relationships.

In this study, scientists examined how perceptions of body image influence health behaviors and mental and physical well-being in young adults who engage in strength training.

Study design

The study was conducted on 605 people aged 20 to 35 years who performed resistance training activities 2 to 7 days per week for at least 6 months. The study population included 385 men and 224 women.

Validated psychometric scales and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire were used to determine participants' body image perceptions. The questionnaire assessed multiple dimensions of body image, including feelings of physical attractiveness, investment in one's appearance, and satisfaction with various areas of the body.

The participants were divided into two groups based on their body image perception, namely the negative body image perception group and the positive body image perception group. The influence of body image perception on nutritional, psychological and physical activity habits was assessed.

Important observations

The study found significant differences in dietary habits and physical activity between the two study groups.

Regarding dietary habits, significant differences were observed between groups in weekly consumption of energy drinks, milk, fermented milk products, eggs, meat, fish, legumes, processed meat, whole foods, rice, pasta, bread, fruits and vegetables. This suggests that body image perception influences young adults' nutritional preferences during resistance training.

The study found that participants with negative body image often consumed more traditional foods, including milk, eggs, meat and whole foods. In contrast, participants with a positive body image are more likely to consume energy drinks, fruits and vegetables.

In terms of psychological traits, the group with positive body image perceptions observed significantly higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, and body satisfaction. This highlights the connection of positive body image to constructive personality traits and good physical and mental health outcomes.

A significant difference in the prevalence of health symptoms was observed between groups. Specifically, participants with negative body image perceptions showed lower body satisfaction and an increased predisposition to health problems such as gastritis, dry throat and tooth sensitivity. This suggests that body image perceptions may influence certain health outcomes.

These observations suggest that body image perception should be considered as a potential influencing factor on physical and mental health and personality traits while developing therapeutic approaches to mental and physical well-being.

In terms of physical activity patterns, the study found that participants with negative body image perceptions were more obsessed with exercise, as evidenced by them spending more time doing aerobic exercise and achieving higher personal records in both the bench press and squats.

In contrast to participants with negative body image perceptions, participants with positive body image perceptions showed greater confidence and willingness to participate in high-intensity physical exercise and spread their exercise more evenly across different intensities. These observations suggest that promoting positive body image perceptions can improve individuals' health and overall well-being.

Study Importance

The study finds a significant influence of body image perception on dietary behavior, psychological well-being and physical activity patterns in young adults participating in resistance training.

The study population includes a specific group of people, which limits the generalizability of the results.

Overall, the study results suggest that improving body image perception through appropriate interventions could effectively improve the mental and physical health of young adults.

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