Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Male and Female First Year College Students

This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, body image, and health-related behaviors of 267 female and 156 male first-year college students. Data were collected in 23 classrooms. Instruments included a demographic sheet, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Weight and Appearanc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of college student development Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 612 - 623
Main Authors Lowery, Sarah E, Kurpius, Sharon E. Robinson, Befort, Christie, Blanks, Elva Hull, Sollenberger, Sonja, Nicpon, Megan Foley, Huser, Laura
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press 01.11.2005
Subjects
Body Weight
College Freshmen
College students
Correlation
Data Collection
Gender Differences
Health Behavior
Measures
Measures (Individuals)
Men
National Surveys
Personal appearance
Physical Fitness
Rating Scales
Self Concept
Self Esteem
Self image
Student behavior
Women
United States > US
Arizona
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, body image, and health-related behaviors of 267 female and 156 male first-year college students. Data were collected in 23 classrooms. Instruments included a demographic sheet, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Weight and Appearance Visual Analogue Scales, the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and a measure of physical fitness/health-related behaviors. Self-esteem was consistently related to body image dissatisfaction for women, and women consistently exhibited a more negative body image than did men. Even when both men and women were consistent exercisers, the women had poorer body image. Finally, for both men and women, more positive physical fitness/health-related behaviors were positively related to self-esteem and body image.
ISSN:0897-5264
1543-3382
1543-3382
DOI:10.1353/csd.2005.0062