Correlates Of Satisfaction With Body Appearance And Body Function In Older Adults

Abstract

The emphasis on body image has increased over the past few decades, underscoring the importance of understanding factors associated with perceptions of body satisfaction and how body satisfaction is related to physical activity (PA) participation across all subgroups in the population. Little is known about satisfaction with body function and appearance in the older adult population. Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to examine sociodemographic, psychosocial and health-related correlates for body satisfaction in an adult population ages 50 and over from the Active for Life® (AFL) pilot year (n = 768). A secondary purpose is to explore relationships between body appearance satisfaction (BAS) and body function satisfaction (BFS) with PA while controlling for age, race, education, BMI, health rating and depressive symptoms. Methods AFL was established to learn how to deliver, sustain and evaluate evidence-based PA programs to mid-life and older adults through community organizations. Nine community grantees (in 12 geographical areas) implemented one of two evidence-based PA programs. Analyses for this presentation used baseline data from the AFL pilot year. Bivariate correlates for two dependent variables (BAS and BFS) were examined using correlation coefficients for continuous independent variables and ANOVAs for categorical independent variables; ANCOVAs were run to assess relationships between BAS and BFS with PA (MET-hrs/week of moderate-intensity PA from the CHAMPS) while controlling for sociodemographic, psychological and health-related correlates and geographical area. Results More positive BAS and BFS was associated with being female, younger age and better health ratings; lower BMI and depressive symptoms and higher levels of education and PA (all ps <0.05). In multivariate models, PA remained a significant correlate of BAS (p = 0.002) and BFS (p <0.0001) after adjusting for sex, age, race, education, BMI, health status, depressive symptoms and geographical area; the model explained 29.64% of the variance in BAS and 29.23% of the variance in BFS. Conclusions The results from this study demonstrate a significant relationship between PA and BAS and BFS in an older adult population even after adjusting for sociodemographic, psychological and demographic variables. These findings suggest the importance of PA in understanding older adults' perceptions of body satisfaction, both appearance and body function satisfaction. Programs aimed at increasing PA among older adults should consider the motivational impact of improved body appearance and physical function as desired outcomes. Funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.