Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Male and Female First Year College Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, body image, and health-related behaviors of 267 female and 156 male first-year college students. Data were collected in 23 classrooms. Instruments included a demographic sheet, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Weight and Appearance Visual Analogue Scales, the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and a measure of physical fitness/health-related behaviors. Self-esteem was consistently related to body image dissatisfaction for women, and women consistently exhibited a more negative body image than did men. Even when both men and women were consistent exercisers, the women had poorer body image. Finally, for both men and women, more positive physical fitness/health-related behaviors were positively related to self-esteem and body image.

Does self esteem moderate the relation between gender and weight preoccupation in undergraduates?

“…Previous studies indicated a relationship between weight preoccupation and self esteem (e.g., Abell & Richards, 1996;Gleason et al, 2000;Lowery et al, 2005;Milligan & Pritchard, 2006;Shea & Pritchard, 2007), as well as between weight preoccupation and gender (e.g., Erol et al, 2006;Johnson et al, 2004;Macedo et al, 2007;Milligan & Pritchard, 2006;Pritchard, 2008a;Shea & Pritchard, 2007). These findings were replicated in the present study.…”

“…Low self-esteem has been found to relate to several types of weight preoccupation behaviors including drive for thinness (Milligan & Pritchard, 2006;Shea & Pritchard, 2007), poor body image and body dissatisfaction (Abell & Richards, 1996;Gleason, Alexander, & Somers, 2000;Lowery et al, 2005;Milligan & Pritchard, 2006;Shea & Pritchard, 2007), bulimic symptoms (Gilbert & Meyer, 2005; Mora-Giral, Raich-Escursell, Segues, Torras-Claraso, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms, may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication.…”

“…However, there is also an established relation between self esteem and weight preoccupation (e.g., Abell & Richards, 1996;Gleason et al, 2000;Lowery et al, 2005;Milligan & Pritchard, 2006;Shea & Pritchard, 2007). It is possible that the gender differences in weight preoccupation are not due to gender per se but to differences in self esteem.…”

The Relation between body image satisfaction, self-esteem and the academic behavior among the first and fourth year students in the faculty of nursing Tanta University

“…Better academic achievements and extracurricular activities can help in prevention of negative behaviors, better adolescents' performances, future well-being and success. [12] Several studies hint at that self-esteem impacts academic behavior. These researches propose that low self-esteem impair academic accomplishment as a result of feelings of worthlessness can be depressing and depression inhibits academic achievement.…”

College students’ perceptions of a caring climate in group physical activity classes

“…For college students, this may be particularly challenging. Issues surrounding body image and health behaviors are a pressing concern for college students [29]. When college students feel cared for in a way that invites engagement and interpersonal support, they may be more willing and comfortable engaging in physical activity in these settings.…”