Body Image and Obesity in Adulthood

Sarwer, David B.; Thompson, J. Kevin; Cash, Thomas F.

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2004.09.002

Cited by 165 publications

(142 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…9 Body dissatisfaction has been thought to play a significant role in motivating people to lose weight. 14 Although having greater body satisfaction may be protective against engaging in unhealthy or inappropriate weight control behaviors, 15 studies have suggested that African Americans with greater body size satisfaction may be less motivated to lose weight. 8,9,11,16 Notably, African American women recount feelings of ambivalence because of the cultural pressures related to self-acceptance, thus creating additional barriers to behavior change.…”

Section: Body Size Perceptions Among African Americans -Baruth Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Size Perceptions among Overweight and Obese African American Women

et al. 2015

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Objectives: Understanding body size perceptions and discrepancies among African American women may have implications for effective weight-loss interventions. The purpose of this study is to examine body size perceptions of economically disadvantaged, overweight and obese African American women.Design: Cross-sectional using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial.Setting: 18 census tracts in a central South Carolina city where ≥25% of residents were below poverty income.Participants: 147 economically disadvantaged, overweight and obese African American women.Main Outcome Measures: Using Pulvers’ figure rating scale, participants chose the figure: 1) closest to their current figure; 2) they would be satisfied with; and 3) with a body weight that would be a health problem for the average person. Mean body mass indices corresponding to each figure were compared with those in a large sample of White women.Results: Most participants wanted to be smaller (mean=2.6 figures smaller) than their current size. A majority (67%) chose the largest figure as representing a body size that could lead to a health problem, and most (60%) chose a current figure smaller than the figure they believed would be associated with health problems. The mean body mass index for women selecting any given figure as their current size was significantly larger (5.2-10.8 kg/m2 larger, P<.0001) than those established in the sample of White women.Conclusions: Although women desired a smaller body size, there nonetheless were misperceptions of body size and the associated health consequences. Body size misperceptions and/or satisfaction may pose barriers for effective weight-loss. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):391-398; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.391

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Section: Body Size Perceptions Among African Americans -Baruth Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Size Perceptions among Overweight and Obese African American Women

et al. 2015

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“…Body image dissatisfaction has several negative psycho logical correlates (see e.g., Sarwer, Thompson, & Cash, 2005). It could be a risk factor of eating disorders (Stice & Shaw, 2002), and also mediates the relationship between obesity and mental disorders (Gatineau & Dent, 2011).…”

Section: Body Image and Exercisementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a single aerobic exercise session on body image

2017

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Background and Objectives: Most research on the effects of exercise on body image has concentrated on the benefits of regular exercise. However, some research has indicated that exercise has an immediate impact on body image. The aims of this study were to investigate the immediate effects of aerobic exercise in a fitness class and the at-home environment on body image, and to examine the impact of nutritional status (i.e., normal weight vs. overweight/obesity) and exercise addiction on these changes. Method: 322 Hungarian women participated in the study with two different environmental conditions, fitness class condition (N = 155) and at-home video condition (N = 167). They completed the Body Appreciation Scale and Exercise Addiction Inventory before and after a one-hour aerobic exercise session. Self-report data on weight, height and exercise frequency were also collected. Results: There were no significant differences between the fitness class and video groups in terms of age, educational level, BMI, body appreciation, exercise frequency and exercise addiction. We found that 7.5% (N = 24) of the participants were at risk for exercise addiction. Aerobic exercise had a significant positive effect on body appreciation (t(321) = 7.564, p < .001) independently from environment and nutritional status. Exercise addiction moderated the relationship between exercise and body image, the at risk for exercise addiction group showed the greatest improvement (F(1) = 3.252, p = .040). Conclusion: The results indicate that even a one-hour aerobic exercise session has a positive effect on body image; this has important practical implications for intervention strategies and weight-loss treatments.

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“…Overweight and obese adults have negative experiences including discrimination, bullying, teasing, and social isolation (Thomas et al, 2007). This causes self-consciousness and body dissatisfaction (Sarwer, Thompson, & Cash, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overweight and Obese College Students’ Perceived Barriers and Motivators for a Healthy Lifestyle

Oh¹,

Kang²,

Yoo³

et al. 2016

EJES

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This qualitative study explored overweight and obese college students' experiences of obesity. Overweight and obese university students (BMI 25 or higher) from a southwestern regional university in the United States were recruited for in-depth qualitative interviews. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in a private room during the academic year 2013-14. A team of trained qualitative researchers used conversational interviews to discuss the students' experiences for 45-60 minutes. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. Data analysis used qualitative emergent themes and categorization. Researchers analyzed the data at team meetings for triangulation and validation. Nineteen overweight or obese university students (female=11 and male=8) participated in the study. Sixty-three percent (12 out of 19) were obese and the remainder were overweight. Seventy-three percent (14 out of 19) did not meet the physical activity guidelines for Americans. Time and motivation were barriers for physical activity. Seventy-three percent (14 out of 19) reported eating unhealthy foods. Lack of time and convenience were barriers to eating healthier. They showed a lack of knowledge on how to make healthy food choices. Eleven out of nineteen (57%) participants were self-conscious about their body, and half were having trouble finding clothes that fit. These results support the previous literature on psychological issues, lack of daily physical activity, European Journal of Educational Sciences, EJES December 2016 edition Vol.3, No.4 ISSN 1857-6036 18 and lack of a healthy diet. This suggests that health promotion is needed for college students to foster healthier lifestyles.

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Body Image and Obesity in Adulthood

Cited by 165 publications

References 42 publications

Body Size Perceptions among Overweight and Obese African American Women

Body Size Perceptions among Overweight and Obese African American Women

Effects of a single aerobic exercise session on body image

Overweight and Obese College Students’ Perceived Barriers and Motivators for a Healthy Lifestyle

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