The role of Athletes in

development of women’s
body image
Research paper

 Topic:
“The role of Athletes in development of
women’s body image”

 Submitted to:
Mam Sumaira

 Submitted by:
Shumaila(16-05)
Semester 6th
Content

 Chapter no 1
 Introduction
• What is Body image?
• body image of female athletes
 Research Objectives
 Purpose/ Significant of study
 Research Methodology
 Research Summary
 Research Questions
 Research Hypotheses
Introduction

 What is Body Image?

Body image is a multidimensional construct that consists of psychological
experiences of embodiment, including perceptions of physical appearance,
and attitudes that relate to physical appearance (Cash, 2004; Cash &
Pruzinsky, 2004; Hrabosky & Cash, 2007).
The concept of body image combines all elements of people’s mental self-
image; including perception, thought, feelings, attitudes, and evaluation of
their physical image and the effect of this image on their behaviour
(DiGioacchino, Sargent, & Topping, 2001).
Body image attitudes comprise of two key factors. The first involves
selfevaluation of an individual’s looks, including body satisfaction or
dissatisfaction. These evaluations are based on the discrepancy between self-
perceived and idealised physical attributes (i.e. ideal body image) (Hrabosky
& Cash, 2007). The second factor is the investment, or extent of cognitive,
behavioural, and emotional importance placed on an individual’s
appearance. This investment includes the
Conti…
degree to which an individual’s looks are essential in defining their sense of
selfworth (Cash, 2004; Cash & Pruzinsky, 2004; Hrabosky & Cash, 2007).
Body image development and Dissatisfaction
The development of a positive body image is vital as it leads to other positive
outcomes such as self-confidence and self-esteem. The development of a
negative body image is associated with a number of damaging
consequences, such as the onset of a range of physical, emotional, and social
problems. Individuals with body image dissatisfaction are less likely to value
their body, prioritise their health, and are more likely to participate in
disordered or destructive behaviours (Hausenblas & Fallon, 2006). Body image
dissatisfaction is a key component and predictor of health problems such as
depression, obesity, body dysmorphic disorder, and eating disorders such as
anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (APA, 2000; Stice, 2002), thus it is vital to
assess its antecedents and consequences (Hausenblas & Fallon, 2006). This
knowledge may support the development of interventions designed to reduce
body-image disturbance.
Conti…
body image of female athletes
Research suggests that sport involvement enhances body image. Research
also indicates that athletes involved in certain sports, such as gymnastics and
distance running, are at risk for body image disturbances .
According to Western societal norms, extremely thin women are particularly
feminine and attractive. Women who internalize the societal ideal of
attractiveness but do not meet it often become dissatisfied with their bodies.
Research indicates that body dissatisfaction is associated with weight-related
concerns and unhealthy weight loss practices (e.g., crash dieting, vomiting)
even in underweight and healthy weight individuals, and can lead to a variety
of health problems, including depression and eating disorders. Hausenblas
and Fallon noted that one way to improve body image is through exercise.
Their metaanalysis indicated that exercisers have more favorable body image
than non-exercisers, however competitive athletes were not included in their
research.
Conti…
body image of female athletes
The body image of female athletes has been examined in different contexts in
several studies. Russell found that female rugby players, cricketers, and
netballers reported feeling good about their bodies in a sport context, but had
a different, more negative perception of their bodies when focused on norms
of heterosexual physical attractiveness.
Krane et al. interviewed female collegiate athletes who were about 20 years
old participating in college varsity sports (i.e., basketball, cross-country
distance running, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track,
volleyball) as well as club sports (i.e., rugby and hockey). They found these
athletes had developed dual and incompatible identities. They expressed
pride in their strong athletic bodies, but they said that other people perceived
them to be different from normal women and that their large athletic bodies
were not attractive to men.
Conti…
body image of female athletes
Franzoi and Klaiber examined the application of social comparison theory to
their work with female Olympic athletes, fashion models, and college students.
They found that elite athletes tended to compare themselves to other elite
athletes, professional models tended to compare themselves to other models,
and college students tended to compare themselves to other people in
general. Further, they found that the more female athletes compared
themselves to professional models, the more body image concerns they
expressed. Thus, it is not surprising that participation in sports that emphasize
the importance of a thin body shape or a low body weight has been linked to
elevated body dissatisfaction .
Female Athletes and Body Image
... it teaches young athletic women that their strong bodies are “wrong.” It's a message
stating to conform and make your body look like the “ideal” woman, ...
Research objective

 To find out that the elite athletes had greater body image satisfaction in
comparison to the habitual exercisers and inactive females. It was
determined that the sport in which the athlete participated in had an
affect on their body image perception.
 the following study aims to: I ) to examine critically the body image
perceptions of female elite athletes, habitual exercisers, and inactive
individuals; ii ) to explore comparatively the body image perceptions of
female elite athletes, habitual exercisers, and inactive individuals: and iii) to
consider the role of elite sport and habitual exercise within the
development of body image perceptions in females.
 To find out the numerous physiological and psychological health benefits
that undertaking sport achieves, these results suggest that participation is
likely to lead to more positive body image perceptions, and ultimately
body image satisfaction.
Purpose/ Significant of Study

The purpose of this study was to use a mixed method design to examine the

impact that sports magazines and thin-ideal images had on the body image, as
identified by appearance, weight, and attribution, of female collegiate athletes.

The secondary purpose of this study was to determine what role race played in the
development of body image dissatisfaction as a result of viewing sports magazines
and thin-ideal images. It was intended for the results of this study to contribute to
the body of knowledge pertaining to the behaviors that influence the body image
of collegiate female athletes.
Research Methodology

 The search was qualitative in nature.

 Sampling was purposive, sample was sportswomen of university level.

 Interview were held in one session to get the responses.

 Thematic analysis was done in to see the social and cultural discriminatory

practices.
Research Summary
Research has suggested that athletes are likely to have a more positive body
image compared to inactive females due having a physique that is close to
the cultural ideal. Furthermore, it has been proposed that athletes tend to
have significant psychological benefits such as increased self confidence,
decreased social anxiety and increased body image satisfaction due to being
more active. For example, it has been suggested that athletes have a more
positive body image perception in comparison to that of inactive females. The
sources of a negative body image perception in these females have been
linked to pressures from external influences, such as societal pressures,
coaches, achieving optimal performance, and achieving the ideal body.
Therefore, understanding body image perceptions of athletes female is
important for a negative body image perception can have detrimental
effects on an athlete’s performance, increase an individuals social anxiety,
decrease an individuals self-esteem, and result in low subjective well-being. In
addition, this research seeks to understand the role of athletes, or leading an
inactive lifestyle, on the developments of a female’s body image perceptions.
Research Questions

Research Question:
To what extent are perceptions in body image influenced by viewing
sports media in selected current Division I female athletes attending a major
university in the southeastern United States?
Sub-Questions:
1. To what extent do female athletes feel comfortable with their own body
image?
2. How do female athletes feel about the way athletes are portrayed in the
media?
3. To what extent do females link body image with athletic performance?
Research Hypotheses
This study was guided by the following research hypotheses:
H1: Exposure to thin-ideal and sports magazine content is negatively
associated with scores on three body-esteem subscales, defined by weight,
appearance, and attribution.

H2: Exposure to thin-ideal and sports magazine content is more negatively

associated with scores on three body-esteem subscales, defined by weight,

appearance, and attribution in White female athletes than it will for non-White
female athletes.

H3: White female athletes have higher exposure to thin-ideal magazine

content than non-White female athletes.