The Effect of Female Media Body Images on Body Image Dissatisfaction in Female Athletes and Nonathletes

Objective: This study tested whether exposure to ideal thin female body images have an effect on athlete and nonathlete females' body image (dis)satisfaction (BID) and social physique anxiety (SPA). Material and Methods: The participants were 143 healthy female athletes (n=67) and nonathletes (n=76) ranging in age from 17 to 28. In addition to athletic status, groups were further divided into experimental and control groups (2 x 2 Factorial design). Individuals in experimental groups viewed a slide show which contained 37 thin female body images from various swimsuits advertisements which were selected by three referees. After the experiment, participants completed the Five Factor Personality Inventory, SPA Scale and BID Questionnaire. Body fat ratio was also measured. Individuals in control groups completed only measurement devices and their body fat ratio was measured. Results: Results showed that there was a significant body image satisfaction difference in favor of athletes' experimental group (t (65)= -2.23, p = 0.029). However, there was no significant difference between nonathletes' control and experimental groups in terms of body image satisfaction. Results revealed that female athletes (M :24.82, SD: 7.41) had significantly lower SPA than nonathletes (M: 33.30, SD:7.50), [t (141): -6.78, p<0.001]. Results also demonstrated that female athletes had higher body image satisfaction (M: 109.10, SD: 9.96) compared to nonathletes (M: 91.75, SD: 10.23), [t(141): 10.24, p<0.001] A regression model containing the Big Five personality traits could explain significant amount of variance in athletes' and nonathletes' body image satisfaction. Showing body fat ratio increased predictive ability of the regression model only in the athlete group. Conclusion: Thin female body images idealised by media may lead negative body image perception especially in female athletes.