Diseases (Apr 2023)

Body Image, Social Physique Anxiety Levels and Self-Esteem among Adults Participating in Physical Activity Programs

  • Afroditi Zartaloudi,
  • Dimitrios Christopoulos,
  • Martha Kelesi,
  • Ourania Govina,
  • Marianna Mantzorou,
  • Theodoula Adamakidou,
  • Loukia Karvouni,
  • Ioannis Koutelekos,
  • Eleni Evangelou,
  • Georgia Fasoi,
  • Eugenia Vlachou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11020066
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 2
p. 66

Abstract

Read online

(1) Background: individuals may benefit from being involved in physical and athletic activities in order to improve their body appearance and promote their physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate body image, body mass index (BMI) characteristics, social physique anxiety, self-esteem and possible correlations between the above factors. (2) Methods: 245 adults engaged in training programs in gyms, as well as in track and field, football and basketball athletic activities completed (a) a sociodemographic questionnaire which recorded their BMI values and utilized the (b) Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, (c) the Social Physique Anxiety Scale and (d) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. (3) Results: Females and individuals with higher BMI reported statistically significant lower body-esteem and greater social physique anxiety levels compared to males and individuals with lower BMI, respectively (p p p = 0.001); BMI value (p p = 0.008). Additionally, individuals with lower body-esteem and greater social physique anxiety levels presented lower global self-esteem (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: individuals’ engagement in physical activity promotes physical as well as mental well-being, contributing to an improved quality of life, which may be the most important issue for health care professionals.

Keywords