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The purpose of this study was to examine the simultaneous relation of general and sport-specific pressures about body weight and shape, negative affect, and body satisfaction to drive for muscularity (DM) in male collegiate athletes. Participants were 183 male athletes who were drawn from three NCAA Division I institutions and represented 17 different sports. As hypothesized, after controlling for BMI and sport type, sport-specific pressures, negative affect, and body satisfaction were significant predictors, and accounted for 15-34% of the variance in muscularity-oriented body image and muscularity behaviors; general pressures however were not significantly related. These findings offer insight into the personal and social antecedents of DM in male athletes, and serve as a starting point for future research on DM in this population., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Despite a proliferation of research on disordered eating in female athletes, few studies have included male athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine which of five personality and psychological variables of interest (i.e., perfectionism, self-esteem, optimism, reasons for exercise, and appearance orientation) best predicted eating disorder status (i.e., symptomatic or asymptomatic) in male athletes. Two hundred three male athletes (Mage=20.29, SD=1.64) from three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions participated. More athletes were asymptomatic (80.8%) than symptomatic (19.2%). None of the variables significantly predicted symptomatic status. These findings contrast the literature on predictors of disordered eating symptomatology among female athletes, and suggest the need for further research to identify other potential predictors of eating disturbance among male athletes., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Due to pressures within the sport environment, such as from coaches, teammates, uniforms and judges, female athletes may develop unhealthy eating practices to lose weight or change their body size/shape to become more competitive and meet societal and sport-related physique ideals. However, up until the development of the Weight Pressures in Sport for Females (WPS-F; Reel, SooHoo, Petrie, Greenleaf, & Carter, 2010) there was no way to quantify sport-specific weight pressures with female athletes. In this study, the psychometric properties of the scale were further examined using a sample of 414 female collegiate athletes. Sample 1 [n=207; M=19.27 years; SD=1.16] and Sample 2 [n=207; M=19.19 years; SD=1.66] participants were of a similar age and were used for exploratory and confirmatory analyses respectively. A two factor structure was confirmed and it was established that the scale was unique from general sociocultural pressures that all women experience, predicting female athletes' internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary intent, and bulimic symptomatology. Specifically, the following factors, Coach and Sport Pressures about Weight (Factor 1) and Pressures Regarding Appearance and Performance (Factor 2), were found to have strong internal consistency and the emerging reliable and valid WPS-F has practical implications for screening and identifying weight-related sport pressures within female athletes. WPS-F can also serve to educate sport professionals about environmental pressures so that disordered eating and body image disturbances can be prevented., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background and Aims: The purpose of this project was to examine body dissatisfaction and the degree of acculturation to Western media body ideals among Japanese adolescents. Furthermore, sex differences in body esteem were examined between male and female participants. Methods: Male and female participants (N=158) aged 15 to 18 years in Okinawa, Japan were surveyed about body image concerns and their degree of acculturation. Participants were recruited from churches and community sites in Okinawa. Results: An independent t-test revealed that girls internalized the thin ideal to a greater degree than boys. Pearson product-moment correlations showed significant positive correlation between acculturation and body esteem, and significant negative correlations between media influences (i.e., information and pressures subscales of the SATAQ-3) and body esteem. Conclusions: Overall, both male and female participants reported body image concerns. Japanese adolescents could benefit from an educational body image intervention that uses a cognitive dissonance approach. (Contains 2 tables.)

With female collegiate athletes, we examined the relationship of eating pathology to body image concerns, weight pressures, sociocultural internalization, and mood state. Multivariate analyses revealed that the symptomatic and eating disorder groups were similar on seven of eight weight pressures, three of four mood states, on internalization, and on five of six body image measures; in all instances, these two groups reported more pathological scores than the asymptomatic athletes. Except for pressures from coaches, the psychosocial variables differentiated the groups, correctly classifying 79% of the cases. These findings suggest that athletes symptomatic of eating disorders report similarly high levels of disturbance across a wide range of psychosocial risk factors, and both groups warrant prevention and treatment efforts. (Contains 5 tables.)

Weight Pressures in Sport—Females (WPS-F) questionnaire measures sport-related pressures that female athletes experience regarding body weight, shape, size, and appearance. In order to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the inventory, two different studies were conducted. In the first study, using a sample (n = 225) of female Greek athletes aged 12–20 years, exploratory factor analysis produced two factors (Factor 1: Pressures From Coaches and Sports About Weight and Factor 2: Pressures Regarding Appearance and Performance) and supported the original factor structure. In the second study, using a different sample (n = 318) of female Greek athletes aged 11–18 years, confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the two-factor structure. Weight Pressures in Sport—Females questionnaire was demonstrated to be a valid and reliable instrument for Greek female athletic populations. Future studies should further test the factorial structure in younger and older athletes and in larger samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to explore the body image of athletes with physical disabilities, and (b) to understand how spoil influences body image among these athletes. We interviewed 20 male and female athletes (Mage = 34.25, SD = 8.49) from a variety of sports regarding their body image and the role of sport in influencing body image. A thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to generate six themes: (a) personal significance of injury and disability, (b) noncentrality of the body and disability, (c) positive influence of sport on body esteem, (d) social factors influencing body-related emotions and perceptions, (e) body critiques and preferences, and (f) positive thoughts and emotions about the body. Sport seemed to be an important vehicle for experiencing body-related pride, and athletes expressed an intimate connection with the body parts that enabled them to physically compete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research with female athletes has yielded equivocal findings when comparing disordered eating rates to nonathlete populations, but the rates differ for athletes in leanness and nonleanness sports (Sherman & Thompson, 2009). The purpose of the current study was to develop a measure to assess sport-specific weight pressures for female athletes. Secondly, this study identified frequencies of weight, size, and appearance pressures across sports. Participants (N = 204) were female Division I athletes from three universities who represented 17 sports. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 4-factor solution for the 16-item Weight Pressures in Sport for Females (WPS-F) scale with strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.90). The most frequently reported pressures among female college athletes were teammates (36.8%), uniform (34.3%), and coach (33.8%). These findings are discussed in comparison with previous research along with clinical and research implications for using the WPS-F in sport psychology settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a cross-sectional, mixed-method design, this study examined the frequency and psychosocial correlates of eating disorder (ED) symptomatology among male figure skaters (n = 29; Mage = 18.45 years) and explored their perspectives on skating-related weight pressures. One participant (3.7%) scored within range of a clinical ED. Body mass index, sport-related weight pressures, and sport-related body dissatisfaction explained 30% of variance in ED symptomatology; only weight pressures were significant. Although most endorsed the positive influences of skating, a perceived body–performance link was their most frequent weight pressure. Coping with sport-related weight pressures should be addressed in applied sport psychology and ED prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has demonstrated that male athletes are facing increased pressure to meet a body ideal for their sport (Galli & Reel, 2009). In this exploratory study the authors developed a preliminary measure designed to examine weight pressures that are specific to male athletes. Using 203 Division I male athletes from three large U.S. universities, two factors were identified (coach/teammate pressures, and appearance pressures) from the 14-item weight pressures in sport scale for males (WPS-M). The athletes reported significantly more coach/teammate pressures than appearance pressures, and the results of multiple regression analyses indicated that both types of weight pressures contributed to the prediction of disordered eating and body change strategies. The findings are connected with research on body image and eating disorders among males and among athletes. Specifically, the pattern of relationships suggests that weight pressures operate independently of body image and affect in predicting unhealthy body change strategies in male athletes. Future research with diverse samples of male athletes is needed to further assess the validity and reliability of the WPS-M. Finally, suggestions for how sport psychology practitioners may use the WPS-M to promote the health and well-being of male athletes are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined the relationship of perfectionism, psychological well-being (self-esteem and optimism), reasons for exercising and appearance orientation to eating disorder classification among 204 female collegiate athletes. Multivariate analyses showed that only self-esteem, exercising to improve appearance and be more attractive, and appearance orientation differentiated significantly between the symptomatic/eating disordered athletes and those who were asymptomatic. No differences existed between the two groups of athletes on perfectionism, optimism, or exercising for fitness/health. For athletes, self-esteem, appearance orientation and exercising to be attractive and improve appearance were most important for understanding their level of disordered eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a qualitative research that aims to acquire in-depth apprehension of body image experiences among ten current and former competitive male athletes. It mentions the use of in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain the view of male athletes regarding their bodies and on the influence of sport participation in their body image. It discusses the six common body image experiences of the male athletes including wide-ranging impact of sport, socio-cultural influences, and body dissatisfaction. It reveals that the competitive nature of the sport directs the athletes to adopt hegemonic ideals of masculinity and to rely on risky health behaviors.