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Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1980-6574201800020017

Original Article (short paper)

Factors associated with body image dissatisfaction
of weight training practitioners

Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira1, José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Júnior2, Paolo Marcello da Cunha3,
Jéssica Fernanda Siqueira4, Érica Cristina Félix da Silva4, Cláudia Regina Cavaglieri1
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil; 2Universidade Federal
1

do Vale do São Francisco, UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brazil; 3Universidade Estadual de Londrina,
UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil; 4Centro Universitário Metropolitano de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil;

Abstract — Aims: This study aimed at investigating the socio-demographic and health-related variables associated
with body image dissatisfaction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. 894 (34.04±13.62 years old) weight training
practitioners from a medium-large city in the south of Brazil participated in this study. A socio-demographic questionnaire
was used along with the Body Shape Questionnaire. The Chi-squared Test and the Binary Logistic Regression (p<0.05)
were used to analyze the data. Results: Female subjects who have been practicing weight training for two to five years
are more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies (OR=4.305 [95% CI=2.984-6.213; OR=1.773 [95% CI=1.086-
2.895], p<0,05, respectively). Conclusion: There is one group of individuals who are less likely to experience body
weight satisfaction. This group of people has three characteristics: 1, 2, and 3.
Keywords: body image; physical activity; sports psychology.

Introduction body satisfaction 7,13. However, even the BI of those who already
practice some physical exercise routinely, such as weight training,
People are increasingly concerned about their bodies, whether which is very common because of its practicality and fast results,
for reasons related to health, well-being or aesthetics, among tends to be influenced by several other factors existing in the
others 1,2. Thus, the search for a means to reach the desired sociocultural context, as well as by the physical and behavioral
body is increasingly evident, with physical exercise being one profile of the person 14.
of the healthiest means to achieve a better perception of body Therefore, studies have shown that BI ​​dissatisfaction may
image (BI)3. The reasons for practicing physical exercise are be related to several variables, such as sex 15, according to
clear 4,5, however little has been shown on to what degree a set which women report being more dissatisfied 16, which leads to
of factors may influence a person to be either dissatisfied or not unhealthy eating behaviors 17. The BI may also be a determinant
with their own body 6. for the practice of physical exercise. Considering young people,
Whereas body satisfaction may be termed as a general BI dissatisfaction may lead to insufficient levels of physical
component of multidimensional body perception, BI address- exercise 18, and it is related with low socioeconomic conditions,
es a more restricted view of the body; that is, between actual as well as to long periods spent in front of the television 19.
physical form and desired physical form, which, in turn, is part In addition, the practice of physical exercise is related to a
of body satisfaction 7. Both body satisfaction and dissatisfaction lower BI dissatisfaction for both men and women 3. This shows
address several elements, such as contentment with the body the positive role that physical exercise has over BI perception.
parts, satisfaction with weight, and the BI perception itself, However, this practice does not guarantee satisfaction, as Parmer
which is the view and judgment that the person has over his/her and Desai 14 showed that weight-training practitioners had more
own body based on the cultural standards stipulated by society BI dissatisfaction than non-practitioners did. Therefore, it is
8
. Brazilian researches showed that the biggest problem for BI either necessary to investigate how socio-demographic variables
dissatisfaction is related to weight 1,9. These studies indicated (such as sex, marital status, income, occupation, and others),
that men desire to be stronger and large, and women desire and personal perceptions related to health and physical activity,
to be thin. In this perspective, the relationship of BI with the may or may not influence BI dissatisfaction. This is the gap this
standards imposed by society has increasingly been identified research intends to explore.
in different countries by the sociocultural theory 10. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the associ-
This theory shows the media power as a strong influence ation of socio-demographic and health-related variables on the
on people’s way of thinking when referring to the perception prediction of body dissatisfaction of weight training practitioners.
of their own body, in addition to parental influence and peer This study also seeks to verify the association of body image
comparison 11,12. Therefore, BI perception is influenced on a with socio-demographic, health and physical activity profiles.
daily basis by the constant comparisons and internalizations Thus, we hypothesized that subjects with better socioeconomic
of these local sociocultural influences 10. Thus, the practice of levels and good health conditions would have a better perception
physical exercise may work as a facilitating agent for greater of body image.

1
 Oliveira D.V. & Júnior J.R.A.N. & Cunha P.M. & Siqueira J.F. & Silva É.C.F. & Cavaglieri C.R.

Methods Procedures

Initially, contact with the Regional Council of Physical

Participants Education (CREF/PR) was made in order to acquire the list of
fitness centers that offered a weight training modality in the city
894 individuals (34.04 ± 13.62 years old) of both sexes, who of Maringá, Paraná. Subsequently, 15 fitness centers were drawn.
practice weight training in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, The data collection was carried out in the fitness centers in a
were intentionally selected to participate in this descriptive study. private room, either before or after the weight training practice.
Thus, 15 fitness centers accredited by the Regional Council of The individuals who agreed to participate in the study signed the
Physical Education of Paraná were selected after a regional Free Informed Consent Form. Data collection was performed
distribution of the city (four zones), with approximately four from May to July 2016.
fitness centers per region.
Therefore, over-18-year-old subjects of both sexes who
were enrolled in the weight training modality with a minimum Statistical analysis
attendance of two times a week were included in the research.
The analyses were carried out by using a descriptive and
Only the subjects who signed the Free Informed Consent Form
inferential statistics approach. In the descriptive approach,
(FICF) participated in the study. Inappropriately completed
the absolute and relative frequencies were distributed for the
questionnaires were excluded, that is, those with one or more
categorical variables (sociodemographic, health and physical
unanswered items. activity). The numerical variables were expressed through the
mean and standard deviation. In the inferential statistics, the
Chi-squared test, and, when necessary, Fisher’s exact test, were
Instruments used to investigate the proportional differences in the prevalence
of body dissatisfaction based on the sociodemographic, health,
A semi-structured questionnaire was used to characterize and physical activity variables.
the socio-demographic, health, and weight training profiles of The Binary Logistic Regression (gross and adjusted anal-
the sample. This questionnaire consisted of different questions ysis) was used to evaluate the associations of the sociodemo-
related to sex (female, male); marital status (with a partner, graphic, health and physical activity variables (independent
without a partner); monthly income in minimum wage (MW) variables) with the presence of body dissatisfaction (dependent
related to the year 2016 (up to 1 MW; 1.1 to 2 MW; over 2 variable) of the subjects. For both Chi-squared and Logistic
MW); education (incomplete elementary education, com- Regression, the BSQ was reorganized into two categories:
plete elementary education, complete high school, complete absence of dissatisfaction - those classified as free from body
higher education); smoking (has never smoked, has already dissatisfaction; and presence of dissatisfaction - those who
smoked, currently smokes); race (Caucasian, black, Asian); were classified as having some level of body dissatisfaction
occupational situation (active, non-active); student status (slight, moderate or severe). For modeling the regression anal-
(yes, no); self-perception of health (bad, regular, good, very ysis, only those variables that showed a level of significance
good, excellent), self-perception of body (slim; normal; fat); equal to or less than 0.20, considering the association with the
weight training time (less than 6 months, 6 months to 2 years, presence of body dissatisfaction in the Chi-squared test, were
more than 2 years); weekly frequency of weight training (2, considered. The model fit was verified through the Hosmer-
3, 4, 5 or more times); reason for practicing weight training Lemeshow test. The analyses were performed by using SPSS
(medical recommendation, leisure, aesthetic, others); level of software version 20.0 (p <0.05)
physical activity; practicing other exercises (yes, no); body
image dissatisfaction.
Ethical Considerations
The body dissatisfaction was assessed by using the Body
Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) validated for the Brazilian population
The permanent committee on ethics in research approved
by Di Pietro and Silveira20 and which consists of 34 questions
this research with human beings under the article number nº
in a 6-point Likert scale (from 1 = never to 6 = always). After 1.694.517 / 2016.
summing the points of each question, the classification of body
dissatisfaction levels was carried out according to: less than
80 points = absence of dissatisfaction; from 80 to 110 points Results
= a slight dissatisfaction; from 110 to 140 points = a moderate
dissatisfaction; score above 140 points = severe body dissatisfac- Out of the 894 individuals evaluated, 472 were female
tion. The evaluation was performed by considering the physical (52.8%) and 422 were males (47.2%); most of them had com-
fitness and concern expressed during the last four weeks of the pleted higher education (44%); had a partner (52.9% %), had
data collection. Cronbach’s alpha for the instrument was α = an income of more than two minimum wages (59.8%) and an
0.73, indicating strong reliability. active occupational situation (75.6%).

2 Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852

 Body image dissatisfaction of weight training

Table 1. Socio-demographic profile of the weight training practi- Table 2. Profile of health and physical activity of weight training
tioners in Maringá, Paraná, Brasil. practitioners in Maringá, Paraná, Brasil.

VARIABLES ƒ % VARIABLES ƒ %
Sex Health self-perception
Male 422 47,2 Bad/Regular 81 9,1
Female 472 52,8 Good 342 38,3
Marital status Very good/Excellent 471 52,7
With a partner 473 52,9 Body self-perception
Without a partner 421 47,1 Slim 193 21,6
Monthly income Normal 589 65,9
Up to 1 minimum wage 140 15,7 Fat 112 12,5
1 to 2 minimum wages 219 24,5 Weight training time
More than 2 minimum wages 535 59,8 Less than 6 months 279 31,2
Education 6 months to 2 years 335 37,5
Incomplete Elementary Education 44 4,8 2.1 to 5 years 174 19,5
Complete Elementary Education 177 19,8 More than 5 years 106 11,9
Complete High School 281 31,4 Weekly frequency
Complete Higher Education 392 44,0 1 to 2 times 121 13,5
Smoking 3 to 4 times 488 54,6
Has never smoked 673 75,3 5 times or more 285 31,9
Has already smoked 169 18,9 Reason for practicing
Currently smokes 52 5,8 Medical recommendation 406 45,4
Race Leisure 308 34,5
Caucasian 733 82,0 Aesthetics 124 13,9
Black 121 13,5 Others 56 6,3
Asian 40 4,5 Level of physical activity
Occupational situation Irregularly active 124 13,9
Active 676 75,6 Active 276 30,9
Non-active 218 24,4 Very Active 494 55,3
Being a current student Being practicing other exercises
Yes 349 39,1 Yes 444 49,7
No 545 60,9 No 450 50,3
Body image dissatisfaction
Absence 636 71,1
Presence 258 28,9
Regarding the health and physical activity profiles of the
weight training practitioners (Table 2), it was verified that
the majority considered their health as being good/very good
(52.7%); in relation to body self-perception the subjects per- When analyzing the association between body image dissat-
ceived themselves as slim (68. 9%); they have been practicing isfaction with health and physical activity variables (Table 4), a
significant association was found among health self-perception
weight training for six months to two years (37.5%) and at a
(p = 0.001), body self-perception (p = 0.001), and reason for
frequency of three to four times a week (54.6%). The majority
practicing (p = 0.001). It is noteworthy that there is a higher
of them practice weight training due to medical recommendation
proportion of individuals with absence of body dissatisfaction
(45.4%); and they have a very active level of physical activity
who: 1) have very good/excellent health perception (74.3%);
(55.3%). Absence of body image dissatisfaction was found in 2) perceive themselves as having a normal body (77.9%), and;
71.1% of the participants, and presence of body image dissat- 3) practice weight training for leisure (80.8%).
isfaction was found in 28.9%. For modeling the regression analysis, only the variables that
When analyzing the association between body image dis- showed a level of significance equal to or less than 0.20 in the as-
satisfaction and the socio-demographic variables (Table 3), a sociation were considered. Table 5 shows the socio-demographic
significant association with sex (p = 0.001), monthly income factors associated with the presence of body image dissatisfaction
(p = 0.018) and smoking (p = 0.047) was verified. It should in weight training practitioners. In the gross analysis, there was
be highlighted that there is a higher proportion of individuals a significant association (p <0.05) between the presence of body
with absence of body dissatisfaction who are males (85.3%); image dissatisfaction and age, sex, monthly income, occupational
they have a monthly income of more than two minimum wages situation, health self-perception, body self-perception, reason
(73.5%) and have never smoked (71.3% %). for practicing and the level of physical activity.

Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852 3

 Oliveira D.V. & Júnior J.R.A.N. & Cunha P.M. & Siqueira J.F. & Silva É.C.F. & Cavaglieri C.R.

Table 3. Association between body image dissatisfaction and the socio-demographic variables of weight training practitioners in Maringá,
Paraná, Brasil.

Body image dissatisfaction

VARIABLES Absence (n=636) Presence (n=258) X2 P
ƒ (%) ƒ (%)
Sex
Male 360 (85,3) 62 (14,7)
78,139 0,001*
Female 276 (58,5) 196 (41,5)
Marital status
With a partner 345 (72,9) 128 (27,1)
1,591 0,198
Without a partner 291 (69,1) 130 (30,9)
Monthly income
Up to 1 minimum wage 88 (62,9) 52 (37,1)
1 to 2 minimum wages 155 (70,8) 64 (29,2) 5,596 0,018*
More than 2 minimum wages 393 (73,5) 142 (26,5)
Education
Incomplete Elementary School 31 (70,5) 13 (29,5)
Complete Elementary School 128 (72,3) 49 (27,7)
0,050 0,823
Complete High School 200 (71,2) 81 (28,8)
Complete Higher School 277 (70,8) 114 (29,2)
Smoking
Has never smoked 480 (71,3) 193 (28,7)
Has already smoked 122 (72,2) 47 (27,8) 3,628 0,047*
Currently smokes 34 (65,4) 18 (34,6)
Race
Caucasian 522 (71,2) 211 (28,8)
Black 89 (73,6) 32 (26,4) 0,329 0,566
Asian 25 (62,5) 15 (37,5)
Occupational situation
Active 492 (72,8) 184 (27,2)
3,632 0,057
Non-active 144 (66,1) 74 (33,9)
Being a current student
Yes 249 (71,6) 99 (28,4)
0,054 0,815
No 386 (70,8) 159 (29,2)
*Significant association – p < 0.05: Qui-scared Test.

Table 4. Association between body image dissatisfaction and the variables related to health and physical activity of weight training practitioners
in Maringá, Paraná, Brasil.

Body image dissatisfaction

VARIABLES Absence (n=636) Presence (n=258) X2 P
ƒ (%) ƒ (%)
Health self-perception
Bad/Regular 42 (51,9) 39 (48,1)
Good 244 (71,3) 98 (28,7) 16,990 0,001*
Very good/Excellent 350 (74,3) 121 (25,7)
Body self-perception
Slim 82 (42,4) 111 (57,5)
Normal 459 (77,9) 130 (22,1) 100,611 0,001*
Fat 95 (84,8) 17 (15,2)
Weight training time
Less than 6 months 191 (68,5) 88 (31,5)
6 months to 2 years 244 (72,8) 91 (27,2)
1,420 0,203
2.1 to 5 years 119 (68,4) 55 (31,6)
More than 5 years 82 (77,4) 24 (22,6)

4 Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852

 Body image dissatisfaction of weight training

Weekly frequency
1 to 2 times 84 (69,4) 37 (30,6)
3 to 4 times 345 (70,7) 143 (29,3) 0,518 0,472
5 times or more 207 (72,6) 78 (27,4)
Reason for practicing
Medical recommendation 256 (63,1) 150 (36,9)
Leisure 249 (80,8) 59 (19,2)
12,430 0,001*
Aesthetics 84 (67,7) 40 (32,3)
Others 47 (83,9) 9 (16,1)
Level of physical activity
Sedentary 79 (63,7) 45 (36,3)
Active 196 (71,0) 80 (29,0) 3,691 0,055
Very Active 361 (73,1) 133 (26,9)
Being practicing other exercises
Yes 324 (73,0) 120 (27,0)
1,442 0,230
No 312 (69,3) 138 (30,7)
*Significant association – p < 0,05: Qui-squared Test.

Table 5. Factors associated with the presence of body image dissatisfaction of weight training practitioners in Maringá, Paraná, Brasil.

Variables OR gross OR adjusted [C.I. 95%]

Age 0,987 [0,976-0,998]* 0,980 [0,966-0,994]*
Sex
Male 1,00 1,00
Female 4,123 [2,977-5,712]* 4,305 [2,984-6,213]*
Marital status
Active 1,00 1,00
Non-active 1,204 [0,901-1,609] 1,129 [0,807-1,580]
Smoking
Has never smoked 1,00 1,00
Has already smoked 0,958 [0,658-1,395] 1,254 [0,804-1,956]
Currently smokes 1,317 [0,726-2,388] 1,281 [0,612-2,681]
Monthly income
Up to 1 minimum wage 1,00 1,00
1 to 2 minimum wages 0,699 [0,446-1,096] 0,766 [0,441-1,330]
More than 2 minimum wages 0,611 [0,413-0,906]* 0,799 [0,491-1,300]
Occupational situation
Active 1,00 1,00
Non-active 1,374 [1,008-1,907]* 1,180 [0,783-1,777]
Health self-perception
Bad/Regular 1,00 1,00
Good 1,162 [0,850-1,588] 0,893 [0,617-1,292]
Very good/Excellent 2,686 [1,658-4,351]* 1,717 [0,945-3,119]
Body self-perception
Slim 1,00 1,00
Normal 0,209 [0,148-0,296] 0,219 [0,145-0,330]*
Fat 0,132 [0,073-0,238]* 0,113 [0,059-0,217]*
Weight training time
Less than 6 months 1,00 1,00
6 months to 2 years 0,809 [0,571-1,147] 1,355 [0,893-2,056]
2.1 to 5 years 1,003 [0,668-1,507] 1,773 [1,086-2,895]*
More than 5 years 0,635 [0,378-1,069] 1,091 [0,590-2,015]
Reason for practicing
Medical recommendation 1,00 1,00
Leisure 0,404 [0,286-0,573]* 0,576 [0,384-0,862]*
Aesthetics 0,813 [0,530-1,246] 1,052 [0,642-1,726]
Others 0,327 [0,156-0,686]* 0,447 [0,201-0,996]*

Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852 5

 Oliveira D.V. & Júnior J.R.A.N. & Cunha P.M. & Siqueira J.F. & Silva É.C.F. & Cavaglieri C.R.

Level of physical activity

Sedentary 1,00 1,00
Active 0,717 [0,457-1,123] 0,581 [0,343-0,986]*
Non-active 0,647 [0,426-0,981]* 0,559 [0,344-0,909]*
*Significant association – p < 0.05: Binary Logistic Regression. OR adjusted by all the variables. OR = Odds Ratio; CI = confidence interval.

It should be highlighted that the female subjects and those who specific type work to be done with women, since these results
have been practicing weight training for 2 to 5 years showed to showed that female subjects are more likely to be dissatisfied
be, respectively, 4.305 [95% CI = 2.984-6.213] and 1.773 [95% with their BI, and it is the role of the health professionals to
CI = 1.086-2.895] times more likely to be dissatisfied with their instruct them to seek a healthy body, but not an ‘ideal’ one.
body image when compared to the male subjects and those who In addition, it should be highlighted that people who have been
have been practicing for less than 2 years and for more than 5 practicing exercise for two to five years are also more likely to
years. In addition, it should be emphasized that the individuals be dissatisfied with their BI (Table 5). Parmer and Desai 14 found
who have a normal body self-perception; those who perceive that the subjects who go to fitness centers are more dissatisfied
themselves as being fat in relation to slim subjects; the ones who with their BI when compared to those who do not practice exer-
have either an active or very active level of physical activity, cise, which partially meets the result of the present research and
and those who practice weight training due to leisure or other indicates that physical exercise may be a factor that leads to the
reasons (except for aesthetics and medical recommendation) constant search for body perfection. However, this may be new
are less likely to have body image dissatisfaction. evidence for to improve instruction and/or attendance of these
individual, since this is the period when the body stabilizes and
does not have as many aesthetic effects at first, but improvement
Discussion and physiological evolution. Thus, it is extremely relevant that
such practitioners are aware of this body evolution process, and
This study aimed to investigate the association of different intensely face this period, taking into account other types of
factors related to the body dissatisfaction prediction of weight gains, such as psychological ones, with the decrease of stress,
training practitioners. Although strongly discussed, there is lack the sensation of well-being, and the pleasure that the practice of
evidence about this subject in different contexts 16, especially physical exercise provides to the organism 21. Therefore, usually
regarding the profile of the practitioners who go to fitness centers the practitioners of weight training always aim to get an even
and may be pre-disposed to this behavior. The main findings better body, so they are rarely satisfied with their bodies. This
point out those who are practitioners of physical exercise for explains the results found in this study.
leisure, physically active or that perceived normal or fat body In this perspective, the factors that were significant for
self-perception had lower chances of being dissatisfied with the practitioner to have lower chances of being dissatisfied
their body image. These results were opposite to those of fe- with their bodies are also important. The way people perceive
male practitioners and of participants who have been practicing themselves, the reasons for practicing, and even the level of
exercises for two or five years: these participantswere more physical activity may be elements that favor the contentment
likely to be dissatisfied with their body image. In this sense, of their BI (Table 5). Therefore, people who have a perception
the findings of this investigation contribute to the indication of of a normal body, who perform physical exercise for leisure,
peculiarities considering the subjects who go to fitness centers and who are active or very active are more likely to have a
and are dissatisfied with their own bodies, which may both lower chance of being dissatisfied. These results corroborate
interfere in the practice of exercise in the long term and should a large number of studies that evaluated people of different
therefore differentiate the work to be carried out with certain levels of physical activity 13,15, indicating a greater dissatis-
profiles of people. In general, female and male subjects with faction in people with low levels of physical activity and a
at least two years of practice are more likely to be dissatisfied sedentary lifestyle.
with their BI. On the other hand, those who perceive themselves It is worth mentioning that the present research showed that
as having normal or fat bodies, those who are active, and those more than half of the people, regardless their level of physical
who practice physical exercise for leisure are less likely to be activity, were satisfied with their BI (Table 4), and leisure is the
dissatisfied with their BI. reason for exercising that may lead to less chances of BI dissat-
The present study found that even the female subjects who isfaction. The practice of physical exercises for leisure, pleasure,
go to fitness centers are more likely to be dissatisfied with their and well-being are typical reasons that are intrinsic to the person,
BI than male practitioners (Table 5), which is in accordance with who perceives a greater importance for himself/herself, and that
the great majority of studies, as reported in the meta-analysis this practice is a benefit and it is integrated into the person’s life
by Weinberger, Kersting, Riedel-Heller, Luck-Sikorsk16, who 22
. Therefore, some research has shown the benefits of practicing
verified that BI ​​dissatisfaction is more evident in women and in physical exercise due to intrinsic reasons are that it may ensure
other studies 1, 13. This shows that female individuals tend to be better results 23; contribute to the fact that the subjects continue
dissatisfied with their own body even if assiduously attending practicing for longer regardless the results 24 ; and result in higher
a fitness center. This may be evidence of the need for a more personal satisfaction 25.

6 Motriz, Rio Claro, v.24, n.2, 2018, e101852

 Body image dissatisfaction of weight training

A relatively new result found in the present study was that Individuals who practice physical exercise for leisure, are active,
people who perceive themselves as being fat seem to be more or perceived themselves as normal or fat have lower chances
satisfied with their BI than those who recognize themselves as of being dissatisfied with their body image. This is directly
slim people (Table 4). Similarly, those who perceive themselves contrary to the profile of female practitioners and of those who
as being fat have a lower chance of having BI dissatisfaction have been practicing exercise for two or five years: these groups
when compared to subjects who think they are slim (Table 5). are more likely to be dissatisfied body image. It is highlighted
This should be further discussed, since the vast majority of that healthy life habits favor a greater acceptance of the body
studies point to overweight people as dissatisfied with their itself. As a practical implication of these results, it is possible to
bodies 13,14,16, but few studies evaluate people who already per- consider the differentiated care provided by health professionals
ceive themselves as being slim. The present study verified that and psychologists to people who have an at-risk profile. The
people belonging to this type of profile are more dissatisfied and professionals can use these results to better understand how
more likely to show dissatisfaction with their BI. This type of exercise practitioners perceive their bodies and thus can give
behavior is more evident in subjects who desire greater gains in
psychological support and thus may prevent those practitioners
muscle mass 26, which was not investigated in the present study.
from doing something that could be harmful to their health. Such
It is worth emphasizing that regardless of people’sperceptions
studies should be carried out in order to further understanding
of being either fat or slim, they believe themselves to be out
of the reasons for body dissatisfaction, which may be related
of the ‘standard’ and are dissatisfied. Thus, the professionals
should work the same way with them. to different factors in people’s lives.
The research also showed that people who have never smoked
had a higher absence of dissatisfaction with their BI (Table 3).
This indicates the relevance of having healthy habits in daily References
practice. In addition to the health benefits the practice of physical
exercise provides people, attitudes outside this environment also 1. Almeida LLB, Baptista TJR. Análise da imagem corporal de pra-
strongly influence the BI perception. Not smoking is of extreme ticantes de atividades físicas em um centro de práticas corporais.
importance to the person’s own acceptance of his/her body 27, Pensar a Prática, 2016;19(3):601-611.
and this is one of the predictive factors of BI dissatisfaction. 2. Kenny U, Sullivan L, Callaghan M, Molcho M, Kelly C. The
Therefore, the person who has never smoked or has quit smok- relationship between cyberbullying and friendship dynamics on
ing becomes more attractive and more satisfied with their BI. adolescent body dissatisfaction: A cross-sectional study. J Health
In addition, despite the contributions of these findings, Psycho, 2017;1:1-11.
some limitations should be discussed. First, the sample refers 3. Melching K, Green M, O’Neal E, Renfroe L. Body Image
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18. Kopcakov J, Veselska ZD, Geckova AM, van Dijk JP, Reijneveld Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil
SA. Is being a boy and feeling fat a barrier for physical activ- Endereço: Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126.
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