Body Image Among University Students
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. The study uses a cross-sectional design with a questionnaire to measure outcomes in male and female students in Norway.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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Detailed Description
Background: A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is well known that students studying sport science are exposed to an enhanced focus on lifestyle and the body beyond what focus that already exist in the society. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. Methods:
The study uses a cross-sectional design with a web-based questionnaire to measure outcomes in 1764 male and female students in Norway. In addition to descriptive data on the sample, a Pearson's correlation, independent t-test og chi-square will be used to investigate associations and differences between groups. Statistical significance is defined at a p-value of <.05. Implications: Results from the study provides a description of the sample and will provide a foundation for targeted actions, interventions for optimization in terms of study environment to reduce negative body image and potential reported pressure to have a specific body, and promotion of positive body image and prevention of negative body experiences. This could contribute to a healthier student environment and enhances the chance to develop students who adapts and take knowledge with them into their future work life, and apply this knowledge in a safe and health promotive way.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Sport sciences Bachelor and master students who study sport science or physical activity and health science |
Other: Body and health focused study environment
Students are exposed to lectures, literature, co-students, contexts that provide body and lifestyle awareness beyond the existing exposure of the society in general
|
| Controls Bachelor and master students who study other fields not related to sport or physical activity and health sciences. |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Self-developed [March 2020-July 2020]
Body appearance pressure. Respond on a Likert-scale where higher scores indicate higher level of experienced pressure
- Body Appreciation Scale-2 [March 2020-July 2020]
Positive body image. Score ranges from 10-50, with higher score indicating higher body appreciation.
- Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) [March 2020-July 2020]
Body dissatisfaction in girls. Scores ranges from 12-60, with higher scores indicating higher levels of dissatisfaction
- Male body dissatisfaction scale (MBDS) [March 2020-July 2020]
Body dissatisfaction in males. Scores ranges from 0-42, with higher scores indicating higher levels of dissatisfaction
Other Outcome Measures
- Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) [March 2020-July 2020]
Comparison of physical appearance. Scores ranges from 0-44, where higher score indicates higher level of comparison.
- Social attitudes towards appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4 R) men [March 2020-July 2020]
Body ideal internalization. Scores ranged from 8-40, with higher score indicating higher level of internalization
- Social attitudes towards appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4 R) women [March 2020-July 2020]
Body ideal internalization. Scores ranged from 15-75, with higher score indicating higher level of internalization
- Rosenberg self-esteem scale [March 2020-July 2020]
Self-esteem. Scale ranges from 10-40, with higher scores indicating higher level of self-esteem Self-esteem. The scale ranges from 10-40, with higher score indicates higher level of self-esteem
- Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) [March 2020-July 2020]
Satisfaction with life. Scores ranges from 10-70, with higher score indicating higher satisfaction with life
- Physical activity level [March 2020-July 2020]
Questions about hours of physical activity during one regular week. Continuous scale.
- Dietary supplementation consumption [March 2020-July 2020]
Questions about the use of dietary supplementation, both legal and illegal. Responds is given by choosing specific supplementations
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Students at Norwegian University Colleges or Universities
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Students who are able to read and write in Norwegian
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Fulltime students
Exclusion Criteria:
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Students who are not able to read or write in Norwegian
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Part-time students
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwegian school of sport sciences | Oslo | Norway | 0806 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- University College of Southeast Norway
- University of Agder
- Ostfold University College
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, PhD, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- CSB