Lewis Bridges* and Dr Stephen Pack

School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

*Corresponding Author: Lewis Bridges MSc BSc (Hons).

Received: April 29, 2021; Published: May 20, 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Body image refers to the perception of physical appearance and the external factors which may create low body confidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the level of physical activity participation and lifestyle choice having an influence on body image perception and awareness in University students aged 18 - 21, which is believed to dictate one’s variation in behaviour and attitude.

Methods: Forty participants were recruited through random opportunistic sampling and were placed into Competitive Active (University team), Social Active (non-competitive), Casual Active (exercise at home/gym) and Sedentary test groups. The Body Awareness Questionnaire, Body Consciousness Questionnaire and Social Physique Anxiety Scale were given on one occasion as part of a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Results: Trends were expected with consistent findings supporting the inclusion age, showing body image presentation can be indicative of an initial external judgement. Social and Casual groups do not have the outcome achievement goal (Competitive) but are self-motivated to better performance, or to socialise/compete with friends. There were no statistically significant differences between group means for each questionnaire (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The level of physical activity and lifestyle choice does have a moderate influence on body image perception and awareness, in both independent and social scenarios. Sedentary people create a negative impression of themselves over time and psychologically adjust to their physical appearance.

Keywords: Body Image; Perception; Awareness; Physical Activity; Lifestyle; Confidence; Independence; Social; Anxiety

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Citation

Citation: Lewis Bridges and Dr Stephen Pack. “To Investigate the Extent of the Level of Physical Activity Participation and Lifestyle Choice having a Significant Influence on Body Image Perception and Awareness in University Students Aged 18 - 21".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 4.6 (2021): 46-54.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2021 Lewis Bridges and Dr Stephen Pack. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.