Drive for Muscularity in Lithuanian Male Students: Psychometrics and Associated Characteristics

Balčiūnienė

2020

IJERPH

Purpose. The present study aimed to explore the associations between body image concerns (BI), disordered eating (DE), health-related lifestyle, and the different domains of the quality of life (QoL) in a Lithuanian sample of student-aged men and women. Methods. A mixed-gender sample of students (N = 1850, 58.8% were women, average age 21.6 ± 5.0 years) completed a series of questionnaires, including health-related lifestyles, BI, DE, and QoL. A series of simultaneous multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Mediation analyses were performed to estimate the size of the total, direct, and indirect effects of variables in the models. Results. The analysis of the linear regressions demonstrated that the positive trait of body areas satisfaction was associated with the significantly enhanced QoL in all domains in both genders (for men β = 0.29–0.34; for women β = 0.26–0.33; p < 0.001). DE was associated with a poorer psychological QoL domain in women only (β = −0.07; p = 0.047). The drive for muscularity was associated with a lower QoL in men (β = −0.06–(−0.141); p < 0.05). Body areas satisfaction mediated the associations between body mass index and psychological and physical QoL in both genders (TLI (Tucker Lewis Index) = 0.975; CFI (comparative fit index) = 0.997; RMSEA (Root of the Mean Square Error) = 0.053). Conclusions. Positive traits of BI play essential roles in the QoL of student-aged women and men. The present study adds empirical evidence emphasizing the importance of integrating education about positive body image while implementing healthy lifestyle and QoL promotion programs in student-aged men and women.

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 57%

The Role of Body Image, Disordered Eating and Lifestyle on the Quality of Life in Lithuanian University Students

Balčiūnienė

2020

IJERPH

“…For the present study, the general score of the scale was calculated in men. Good psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of DMS (LT-DMS) in men student population sample has been confirmed (Bacevičienė, Titenytė, Balčiūnienė, & Jankauskienė, 2020). In this study, Cronbach's alpha for the LT-DMS was .92.…”

Section: The Role Of Sports Participation In the Association Between Students' Body Image Concerns And Disordered Eatingsupporting

confidence: 60%

The role of sports participation in the association between students’ body image concerns and disordered eating

Balčiūnienė

2021

BJSHS

Self Cite

Background. Body image concerns (BICs) negatively influence young people’s health as they mutilate psychosocial functioning and lifestyle. The present study aimed to compare BICs, socio-cultural attitudes towards appearance, and disordered eating (DE) in a large sample of student women and men of different body mass (BMI) and physical activity and to evaluate the mediating role of sports participation in the association between BICs and DE. Methods. A total sample of 1850 students (1087 or 58.8% were women, average age 21.6 ± 5.0 years) participated in the study and completed a questionnaire measuring BICs, internalization of the socio-cultural appearance ideals, drive for muscularity, DE, physical activity (PA), and BMI. Two hundred eighty-two men and two hundred eighty-eight women reported leisure-time participation in sports. Two-way ANOVA was conducted to test gender, BMI group, and sports participation effects on study variables. Moderated leisure-time exercise at a sports club effects were tested in the association between body image concerns (BICs) and disordered eating behaviours (DE). Results. Overweight/obese students reported greater BICs, internalization of the stereotyped appearance ideals, and DE compared to students of normal body weight. Participants of sports clubs demonstrated higher appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction; however, they reported higher overweight preoccupation, internalization of socio-cultural ideals, drive for muscularity (men), and DE. A higher level of BMI, BICs, internalization of socio-cultural body ideals, and drive for muscularity (in men) were associated with greater DE in students. Participation in sports was not a significant moderator between BICs and DE. A significant interaction effect between BMI and exercising at a sports club was observed in women. Conditional effects demonstrated that female students with higher BMI and exercising at a sports club were at higher risk of DE (β = .18, p < .001) than women non-exercising at a sports club (β = .13, p < .001). Conclusions. Overweight students of both genders reported greater BICs and DE. Sports-involved students (men and women) demonstrated more favourable body appearance evaluation. However, sports participants of both genders demonstrated greater BICs and DE compared to non-exercisers. Sports participation had no significant mediating power on the associations between BICs and DE; however, women with higher BMI and participating in leisure-time sports faced a greater risk for DE than women with higher BMI but not participating in sports. The promotion of a positive body image was important to students, especially female students with higher BMI and participating in leisure sports. Keywords: body image concerns, disordered eating, physical activity, sport clubs, emerging adults.

“…Greater scores indicate stronger muscle development-related attitudes and more intensive behaviours. The Lithuanian version of the scale demonstrated good psychometric properties [50]. In this study, the internal consistency of the scale was good (α = 0.95).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 50%

Examining Body Appreciation and Disordered Eating In Adolescents of Different Sports Practice: Cross-Sectional Study

Trinkūnienė

2020

IJERPH

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between body appreciation, body functionality and disordered eating in a large adolescent sample of different levels and types of sports practice. Method: The sample consisted of 1412 adolescents (59.8% were girls). The ages ranged from 15 to 18 years old, with a mean age of 16.9 (SD = 0.5) for girls and 17.0 (SD = 0.4) for boys. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing the nature of sports participation, body appreciation, body functionality, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, internalisation of sociocultural beauty ideals and disordered eating. A two-way ANOVA was employed to test the differences in body image concerns, body appreciation, perceived physical fitness and disordered eating behaviours in gender groups and groups of different sport types and levels. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to predict disordered eating behaviours of different study variables. Results: Participants of leisure and competitive sports reported greater body appreciation, self-esteem and lower body dissatisfaction compared to non-participants. No differences in body appreciation and disordered eating were observed in adolescents involved in weight-sensitive and less weight-sensitive sports. Body appreciation and body functionality were associated with lower disordered eating in adolescent girls not participating in sports, leisure exercisers and participants of competitive sport as well as in boys participating in competitive sports, controlling for body mass index. Adolescent boys demonstrated greater body appreciation compared to girls. Conclusions: The results of this study support the knowledge of the protective role of positive body image preventing dysfunctional eating in adolescent girls of various sports practice and in competitive sports involved boys. Disordered eating prevention and clinical treatment programs for adolescents of different physical activity might benefit from including education about body appreciation and functionality.