Body Image as a Motivator and Barrier to Exercise Participation

Abstract

This study examined self-reported relationships between motivations and barriers to exercise, frequency of exercise, and location of exercise to body image. The study surveyed 1044 students from a large Midwestern university. Respondents comprised of 689 (66.0%) females and 355 (34.0%) males with an age range of 17-55 years. Raw survey data were analyzed using independent content analysis. Most participants (76.8%) reported exercising while the remainder did not. Body image was a significant factor in determining the amount exercised for a majority of participants (58.3%), as well as the location of exercise for some (22.4%). Non-exercisers were satisfied with their overall appearance and did not identify body image as a significant barrier to exercise. However, non-exercisers, as well as exercisers, reported a desire to exercise more. Both exercisers (77.4%) and non- exercisers (90.9%) exercised more in the past and wished they exercised more currently (76.0% of exercisers and 88.8% of non-exercisers, respectively). These data show that body image was a motive to exercise amounts for exercisers, a barrier to exercise location for exercisers, but not a barrier to exercise for non-exercisers.

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