This study seeks to determine if there are patterns of differences according to college major in terms of the percentage of freshmen women who score in the clinically significant range on a measure of attitude toward body shape. Participants (N = 1,982) completed a demographic questionnaire and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and were divided into subgroups according to their stated college major. Descriptive statistics regarding BSQ scores were calculated for the total sample and subgroups. Results indicated that a greater percentage of participants in Theater, Communications, Psychology, Dance, Business, and Dietetics majors scored within clinically significant ranges on the BSQ. Students in these majors may benefit from targeted intervention and prevention efforts to address possible body image dissatisfaction.

Despite the developmental and clinical importance of body image during the pre-adolescent and adolescent years, there remains a dearth of information on the body image experiences of immigrant children and adolescents. This thesis represents a purposeful attempt to examine body image experiences among immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents in Canada and the United States (US). Specifically, the thesis integrates multiple methods (scoping reviews, qualitative interpretive description, quantitative multi-level modeling) and samples (clinical and population-based samples) to systematically contribute to the academic literature focusing on body image experiences among immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents in Canada and the US. Consisting of four conceptually related studies, this thesis makes the following methodological and conceptual contributions to epidemiological and clinical research and practice. First, the results from all four studies point to the need to develop standardized approaches for identifying and classifying immigrant and ethnic-minority children and adolescents. This will substantially increase the field’s ability to systematically characterize the nature and magnitude of body image dissatisfaction, body image distortion, and their associated outcomes among immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents. In addition, this systematic classification has the potential to inform the development or adaptation of universal and targeted preventative intervention strategies. Second, Study’s 1 and 2 demonstrate a clear need to further examine the constructs and experiences of acculturation and acculturative stress in relation to the body image experiences of immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents. The literature is unclear with respect to whether or not immigrant adolescents’ adoption of the values, behaviours and ideals of the Canadian or US culture increases their risk for body image concerns. On the other hand, we are also unclear as to whether or not immigrant adolescents’ retaining of the values, behaviours and ideals of their culture of origin may offer protection from poor body image experiences. Similarly, we are unclear about whether—and to what extent—stress as a result of adolescents’ acculturative experiences (i.e. acculturative stress) influence the onset or pervasiveness of body image concerns. Greater understanding about these constructs and processes and the extent to which they are implicated in the body image experiences among immigrant children and adolescents has the potential to inform culturally competent and targeted intervention approaches. Results from Study 3 indicate that immigrant adolescents have body image and appearance-related concerns that extend beyond what has typically been found among non-immigrant adolescents. More specifically, immigrant adolescents are concerned about the appearance of their skin (texture, complexion), their hair, their teeth, as well as other bodily features. It would be prudent for future researchers and clinicians to consider this information in relation to measuring, classifying and addressing body image dissatisfaction among immigrant adolescents. Finally, Study 4 demonstrates that females and first generation immigrants with body image dissatisfaction are at significantly elevated risk for body image distortion. This suggests that the assessment and intervention for body image dissatisfaction—particularly among females—soon after the migratory experience may play an important role in reducing body image distortion experiences. Taken together, the findings of this thesis strengthen the body image field by demonstrating that there are several unique aspects about being an immigrant that can influence adolescents’ body image experiences; and therefore, should be considered from a conceptual and methodological standpoint in future research and implementation of body image interventions. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Body image dissatisfaction and body image distortion have been linked to serious psychological outcomes, including depression and eating disorders. Yet, we know very little about the nature of these experiences among immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents. This thesis uses qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as general population and clinical samples to investigate body image dissatisfaction and body image distortion among immigrant and ethnic minority children and adolescents in Canada and the United States. Results provide important information that can inform the development of preventative interventions targeting body image dissatisfaction and body image distortion among immigrant and non-immigrant children and adolescents.

The current study replicated and extended previous research by examining empirically the direct and indirect influence of social pressure (to lose weight and diet), social body comparisons, internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and cardiorespiratory fitness on self-reported dietary restraint in a diverse sample of middle school boys (n = 663); Mage was 12.49 years (SD = .99). With IRB approval, parental consent, and child assent, during annual FITNESSGRAM testing, participants completed questionnaires that measured the study’s constructs. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was determined by the boys’ performance on the PACER running test. The proposed model was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Because measures demonstrated univariate and multivariate normality, the maximum likelihood procedure within EQS to examine the measurement and structural models was used. Fit was determined using a two-index procedure. Participants were randomly split into exploratory (Sample A - 331) and confirmatory (Sample B - 332) samples. For Sample A, the measurement and structural models fit the data well. The structural model was confirmed in Sample B, with the same paths being significant and nonsignficant. For both Sample A and Sample B, 35% of the Dietary Restraint variance was explained. These findings support a multifactorial approach to understanding boys’ self-reported dietary restraint, and illuminate the negative influence of sociocultural weight pressures and salutary effects of CRF on early adolescents’ psychosocial well-being and dietary behaviors.

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / Young women are influenced by a variety of different messages as they are transitioning from being viewed as little girls to being viewed as young women. While women of all ages can experience dissatisfaction with their bodies and appearance, this is especially common during the time when girls are entering into adolescence, adjusting to their changing bodies, and trying to develop a sense of who they are as an individual. Our society today has placed a significant importance on thinness and young women are bombarded with messages presenting them with an unattainable level of thinness as society‘s ideal. This paper describes adolescent development, looks at the sociocultural influences (family, peers, and media) that impact young women‘s body image, presents prevention and intervention programs that have been used with young women, and provides recommendations for family life educators on how to educate parents on the messages their daughters are being sent and provides them with suggestions on how to talk with their daughters about these messages.

This study focuses on the relationship between body image and the Muslim religious dress code of South African Indian Muslim female adolescents. During the literature search conducted by the researcher no research specifically on body image of female adolescents when wearing the Muslim dress code in South Africa could be found. South African Indian Muslim adolescents are faced with challenges in a changing environment. In the aftermath of 9/11 South African Indian Muslim adolescent females are undergoing changes on how they view the Muslim religious dress code and the impact it has on their body image. A new Muslim identity depicted by the Muslim religious dress code is adopted. The goal of this study was to determine how the Muslim adolescent female views the relationship between her body image and wearing the Muslim religious dress code. A phenomenological Gestalt, field theory approach was followed within a qualitative case study design. Furthermore, The Social Identity Theory served as additional theoretical framework. Analysis was done using Creswell’s application of Tesch’s Method. The participants for this study consisted of a sample size of six South African Indian Muslim female adolescents between the ages of 14 and 16. Of note, all the female participants attended the same school in Johannesburg and all participants wore the Muslim religious dress code to school. The qualitative data were collected in the form of unstructured in-depth interviews and projection-type photos with the participants. The researcher’s objective was to understand and interpret the meanings the participants gave to their perceptions and experiences, which was further supported through participant observation, self-reflective notes and field and observational notes. The interviews were recorded on tape and DVD. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, analysis of contents and the data was then coded into categories from which themes and sub-themes emerged. Central themes and patterns of the experiences were interpreted and analysed within the context of the study. The researcher ensured that data was gathered from different data sources as described and data was considered from multiple dimensions to ensure triangulation. The findings of the study revealed that the Indian Muslim female adolescent was able to negotiate the wearing of the Muslim religious dress code with confidence and this resulted in a positive body image. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study focuses on the relationship between body image and the Muslim religious dress code of South African Indian Muslim female adolescents. During the literature search conducted by the researcher no research specifically on body image of female adolescents when wearing the Muslim dress code in South Africa could be found. South African Indian Muslim adolescents are faced with challenges in a changing environment. In the aftermath of 9/11 South African Indian Muslim adolescent females are undergoing changes on how they view the Muslim religious dress code and the impact it has on their body image. A new Muslim identity depicted by the Muslim religious dress code is adopted. The goal of this study was to determine how the Muslim adolescent female views the relationship between her body image and wearing the Muslim religious dress code. A phenomenological Gestalt, field theory approach was followed within a qualitative case study design. Furthermore, The Social Identity Theory served as additional theoretical framework. Analysis was done using Creswell’s application of Tesch’s Method. The participants for this study consisted of a sample size of six South African Indian Muslim female adolescents between the ages of 14 and 16. Of note, all the female participants attended the same school in Johannesburg and all participants wore the Muslim religious dress code to school. The qualitative data were collected in the form of unstructured in-depth interviews and projection-type photos with the participants. The researcher’s objective was to understand and interpret the meanings the participants gave to their perceptions and experiences, which was further supported through participant observation, self-reflective notes and field and observational notes. The interviews were recorded on tape and DVD. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, analysis of contents and the data was then coded into categories from which themes and sub-themes emerged. Central themes and patterns of the experiences were interpreted and analysed within the context of the study. The researcher ensured that data was gathered from different data sources as described and data was considered from multiple dimensions to ensure triangulation. The findings of the study revealed that the Indian Muslim female adolescent was able to negotiate the wearing of the Muslim religious dress code with confidence and this resulted in a positive body image. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Bakgrund: Det råder en brist på kunskap inom hälso-och sjukvården gällande människors upplevelser av att leva med övervikt och fetma. Tidigare forskning har fokuserat på specifika problemsituationer som uppstår inom vården. I litteraturen nämns sällan upplevelser som beskriver de överviktigas eget perspektiv. Detta trots den kraftigt ökande förekomsten av övervikt i samhället. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa människors upplevelser av övervikt och fetma. Metod: Litteraturstudie med Kvantitativ och kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Sju kategorier hittades: Skuld/ skamkänslor, sorgsenhet/sårad, Avvisad/isolerad, Förödmjukad/ oattraktiv, Glad/underbar, Lågt självförtroende och Oro i nära relationer. Slutsats. Studiens resultat visar att övervikt och fetma är ett lidande för många. Människor med övervikt och fetma utryckte även att lidandet påverkar deras livsstil. Klinisk betydelse: Genom att belysa om vad människor med övervikt och fetma upplever, kan detta leda till en utveckling av studier inom detta område och ökad medvetande inom omvårdnad. / Background: There is a lack of knowledge in health care regarding people's experiences of living with overweight and obesity. Previous research has focused on specific problem situations that arise in health care. Experiences that describes peoples overweight and obesity was uncommon in the literature. This is in spite of the rapidly increasing incidence of obesity in the society. Aim: The aim of this study is to highlight people's experiences of overweight and obesity. Method: It’s a study with quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: This study has seven categories: Guilt / shame, Sadness / hurt, Rejected / isolated, Humiliated / unattractive, Happy / wonderful, Low self-esteem, Anxiety in close relationships. Conclusion: The study results show that overweight and obesity are hardship for many. People with overweight and obesity mentioned that the emotion of suffering affects their lifestyle. Clinical significance: To illuminate the people`s experiences of overweight and obesity, will increase the awareness in caring and lead to a progress in research concerning nursing.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the individual frequency of use of both supplements and social media and how it can be linked to a poor body image. Method: A semi-structured questionnaire study of quantitative approach was created to investigate the respondent’s supplements habits, social media habits and their self-estimated body image. These questionnaires were then uploaded to a group on Facebook. This Facebook group exists to discuss training and diet. After completing the questionnaire the study had 54 respondents of which 51 had completed the entire survey and data could be fed into SPSS where the analysis of the results could be made. Results: The results of this study show that individuals who have a better body image use supplements and social media more. It also shows that individuals who use social media and supplements exercise more frequently. Conclusion: The results of this study deviates from previous research done in both areas. This may be because there is an absence of target group in the study, or that the study contains too few respondents. / Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka samband mellan individers användningsfrekvens av både kosttillskott och sociala medier och hur det kan vara kopplat till kroppsuppfattning Metod: En semistrukturerad enkätstudie av kvantitativ ansats skapades för att undersöka respondenternas kosttillskottsvanor, sociala media vanor och deras självuppskattade kroppsuppfattning. Denna enkät delades ut i en grupp på Facebook skapad för att diskutera träning och kost. Efter genomförd enkätundersökning hade studien 54 respondenter varav 51 hade fullföljt hela enkäten och data kunde matas in SPSS där analyser av enkätresultaten gjordes. Resultat: Studiens resultat visar på att individer som i större utsträckning använder kosttillskott och laddar upp bilder på sociala medier tränar mer. Samt har en bättre kroppsuppfattning än de som inte brukar kosttillskott och lägger upp bilder på sociala medier. Slutsats: Resultatet i denna studie skiljer sig från tidigare gjord forskning inom båda områden. Detta kan bero på att det finns en avsaknad av målgrupp och/eller för få respondenter i studien.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Body image and dating relationships are two of the most important topics in the lives of the female adolescents. Yet, not much South African research has been done on either of these themes with adolescent populations and no research could be found to investigate a possible relationship between these two important aspects, both internationally and locally. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between female adolescents’ body image and their romantic relationships. Specifically, the aim was to determine if a relationship existed between participants’ self-rated attractiveness and body dissatisfaction, and their relationship status and romantic relationship satisfaction. There were two secondary aims. The first was to investigate how aspects like participants’ culture, age and body size were related to their body image and the second was to determine if aspects like participants’ culture, age and body size were related to their relationship status and satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Questionnaires were distributed to Afrikaans- and English- speaking White girls, Afrikaansspeaking Coloured girls and isiXhosaspeaking girls at four urban, coeducational, secondary schools and 511 questionnaires were completed. Participants selfreported their height and weight, self-rated their facial and bodily attractiveness on a 7- point scale, and completed two measures of body dissatisfaction: the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) Body Dissatisfaction subscale (Garner, Olmstead, & Polivy, 1983) and the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) (Secord & Jourard, 1953). Participants also indicated their current relationship status using five categories: has never dated anyone, not dating anyone currently, casually dating one or more people, dating one person exclusively, and engaged or planning to marry, and completed the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (Hendrick, 1988), a measure of relationship satisfaction. With regard to the primary aim of the study, results show that there were significant relationships between some of the measures of body image and relationship status for the total sample. In general, it was found that the girls who were involved in exclusive relationships at the time of the study had better body image than the girls who were not. Yet, results for this relationship were different for the different cultural and body mass index groups. With regard to the relationship between body image and relationship satisfaction, the Body Cathexis Scale scores significantly predicted participants’ satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Yet both weight and culture were also found to play a role in the relationship between body image and relationship satisfaction. With regard to the secondary aims of the study, culture was found to be related to body image, body mass index, relationship status and relationship satisfaction, while age played a role in participants’ body mass index and relationship status, and body mass index was related to body image, but not to relationship status and relationship satisfaction. Therefore, participants’ culture and body mass index were significant with regard to body image and romantic relationships, but was also found to play a significant role in the relationship between these two.

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by preoccupation with muscularity. Although there is a growing body of research concerning MD, there is a lack of research concerning the potential role exercise training environment has on the clinical features of MD. The purpose of this study was to compare MD symptomology in traditional strength-trained (TRAD) individuals to individuals training in communal high intensity functional training environments (HIFT). Participants were recruited from both types of facilities. Participants (N=376) completed online (Qualtrics) demographics survey and Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI). One-way ANOVA compared the effect of training environment on MDI scores among HIFT, TRAD, both HIFT and TRAD (BOTH), home gym (HOME), and “OTHER.” Training environment significantly affected MDI for the 5 environments [F (4, 345) = 3.765, p = .005, d = 0.737]. Mean score for TRAD (M = 111.73, SD = 20. 39, [107.78, 115.68]) was significantly higher than HIFT (M = 102.20, SD = 19.59, [99.17, 105.23]). MDI for BOTH (M= 107.06, SD = 18.01, [100.77, 113.34]), HOME (M = 108.89, SD = 22.80, [99.86, 117.90]), and OTHER condition (M = 108.19, SD = 22.43, [97.97, 118.40]) did not significantly differ from HIFT or TRAD. Results suggest training environment is correlated with levels of MD symptomology. Specifically, males and females with higher levels of MD symptoms prefer to train in a traditional training environment, which is potentially more conducive to facilitating and perpetuating MD symptomology. The results of this study provide insight into the social physique anxiety associated with MD, as participants with higher levels of MD symptoms do not prefer to train in a HIFT environment where training occurs communally and other gym members provide extrinsic motivation. Additionally, the results of the present study further our understanding into the psychopathology of MD in that the motivating factors related to aesthetics (high level of body focus) associated with a TRAD environment take precedence over the motivating factors relating to selfimprovement and the desire to increase functional fitness that is associated with a HIFT environment. Results may provide knowledge for creating optimal treatment programs for individuals with clinical MD.