Abstract
PurposeThe fitness centers are settings for health promotion, yet may serve as a stage for counterproductive figure idealization. Such idealization may take the form of a drive toward the thin, the muscular, or lean body figure ideal, which all hold the potential to impel an experience of body appearance pressure (BAP) and body dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore figure idealization, body dissatisfaction, and experience of BAP in fitness instructors.Materials and MethodsFitness instructors, 70 (23%) males and 236 (77%) females, were recruited through their facility chief executive officer and social media for a digital survey on mental health. Results are presented for body appreciation (BAS-2), body dissatisfaction (EDI-BD), drive for muscularity (DM), drive for leanness (DLS), questions on BAP, symptoms of eating disorders (EDE-q), and history of weight regulation and eating disorders (EDs).ResultsAttempts to gain body weight were reported by 17% of females and 53% of males, whereas ∼76% of males and females, respectively, reported to have attempted weight reduction. Reasons for body weight manipulation were predominantly appearance related, and 10–20% reported disordered eating behavior. Mean BAS-2 and EDI-BD were acceptable, but 28% of females were above clinical cutoff in EDI-BD, and mean DLS were high in both sexes. In total, 8% of females were above clinical cutoff in EDE-q, which corresponded well with the self-reported ED. Approximately 90% of the sample perceived BAP to be a societal issue and reported predominantly customers and colleagues to be the cause of their personal experience of BAP. Fewer than 50% knew of any actions taken by their employer to reduce BAP. There were few differences according to profession or educational level.ConclusionFitness instructors report BAP to affect them negatively, which may put them at risk of impaired mental health. Educational level did not protect against figure idealization and BAP. To care for their employees and to optimize their position as a public health promoter, the fitness industry should target BAP in health promotion programs.
Highlights
During the past 30 years, the fitness industry has expanded considerably and developed from being a small arena for body builders to large training facilities for the general adolescent and adult population (EuropeActive and Deloitte, 2020)
Symptoms of eating disorders (EDs) evaluated by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-q) are presented in Table 5 and Figure 2
Separating the sample by sex and comparing those with BSc degree or greater with those having no education or separate courses with or without educational credits, we found no differences in BAS-2, Drive for Leanness Scale (DLS), Drive for muscularity (DM), experience of body appearance pressure (BAP), or in personal experience of BAP
Summary
During the past 30 years, the fitness industry has expanded considerably and developed from being a small arena for body builders to large training facilities for the general adolescent and adult population (EuropeActive and Deloitte, 2020). Other than the limitation such reputation may bring for the fitness industry upon the potential to recruit new members, this brings concern to the health of fitness instructors [i.e., group instructors (GIs) and personal trainers (PTs)] working in such environment on a daily basis. These instructors may be assumed to extend such marketing from the fitness industry, as much as they need to motivate and allure the members to choose their service or exercise sessions (Hutson, 2013). Previous studies have highlighted the impact of body appearance when members are to choose their PT or GI, as this promotes credibility on health and exercise knowledge (Melton et al, 2011; Boerner et al, 2019)
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