Satisfaction with body image in girls aged 18–23 years with various experiences of physical activity

Quality of life and psychological well-being in women are related to self-perceptions and body image. Foreign studies reveal an increase in the level of dissatisfaction with body image among girls and women in recent decades, as well as an increase in interest in body correction by various methods. Sports and physical activity are among the tools for correcting the figure and weight. The purpose of this study is to compare perceptions of their own weight and body image satisfaction in young girls with various levels of physical activity: without physical training and sports, with systematic physical activity in the lifestyle and in professional athletes. The study sample consisted of 150 girls aged 18–23 years. The psychodiagnostic battery of techniques consisted of: the Body Image Satisfaction Scale (BISS), the influence of Body Image on the Quality of Life (BIQLI), the Appearance Schemas Inventory (ASI-R), the selfassessment scale (RSES) and a socio-biographical questionnaire. Mathematical data processing included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and one-factor analysis of variance. Results: female athletes from technical-aesthetic sports more often than other women have a distorted perception of their own weight: they estimate their weight as higher, while the BMI of this group is minimal relative to the comparison groups. Within the framework of this study, a relationship between body image satisfaction and self-esteem was revealed in all girls aged 18–23. Conclusions: professional athletes are more motivated to change their body image, while physical education and sports are not directly related to increased satisfaction with body image in girls aged 18–23 years.

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