This study examined the mediating role of sociocultural pressures (i.e., parental, peer, significant others, and media) and the internalization of appearance ideals (i.e., thin, muscular, attractive) on the relationship of Body Mass Index (BMI) and exercise frequency to exercise motives (i.e., weight management, appearance, positive health). A total of 262 young women, age 18 to 29, participated in the study. Average BMI in this sample was 22.09 ( = 2.69) and ranged from 18.03 to 31.51, with 15.3% of the sample having a BMI of 25 and above, which qualifies as overweight. Participants completed Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4-Revised and Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 (EMI-2) along with some demographic information and questions regarding their exercise habits. The results indicated that women with higher BMI are more motivated to exercise to lose weight, and women who exercise more frequently are motivated by the aspect of positive health. Also, women with higher BMI perceive more sociocultural pressures to obtain a culturally acceptable body. The sociocultural pressures and appearance internalization mediated the relationship between BMI and the frequency of exercise with motives for exercise. The implications and future directions of research are discussed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00332941211000659 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
January 2025
Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
In this study, we explored the biocultural mechanisms underlying ancient craft behaviours. Archaeological methods were integrated with neuroscience techniques to explore the impact on neuroplasticity resulting from the introduction of early pottery techniques. The advent of ceramic marked a profound change in the economy and socio-cultural dynamics of past societies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEat Disord
January 2025
Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, Paphos, Cyprus.
Sociocultural factors play a significant role in the development of body image distress and disordered eating behavior in diverse populations, including men. One group which seems to be at increased risk, is sexual minority men. However, these factors have rarely been studied outside of Western populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEat Behav
January 2025
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
This study aimed to determine whether the internalization of body ideals and sociocultural pressures to adhere to body ideals are associated with a greater likelihood of having probable muscle dysmorphia. Cross-sectional data from 1553 boys and men ages 15-35 from Canada and the United States were used. Multiple logistic regression analyses determined the association between the internalization of three body ideals, sociocultural pressures to adhere to body ideals from four sources, and having probable muscle dysmorphia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
January 2025
School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
Body image is an important aspect of psychological well-being that is influenced by several biological and psychosocial risk factors. Cultural determinants of body image include the patterns of shared beliefs, values, practices, and social norms within a group that can act as a lens through which a person perceives, compares, and evaluates their body. Women tend to experience higher rates of body dissatisfaction than men, with reproductive milestones such as puberty, pregnancy, and postpartum being windows of vulnerability for body image concerns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcol Evol
January 2025
Ecostrat GmbH Berlin Germany.
A dramatic decrease of biodiversity is currently questioning human-environment interactions that have shaped ecosystems over thousands of years. In old cultural landscapes of Central and East European (CEE) countries, a vast species decline has been reported for various taxa although intensive land cultivation has been reduced in favor of agroecological transformation, nature conservation and sustainable land management in the past 30 years. Thus, in the recent history, agricultural intensification cannot solely be discussed as the major driver controlling biodiversity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!