Ideas for action: Exploring strategies to address body image concerns for adolescent girls involved in sport

Abstract

Despite the extensive benefits of sport participation, girls consistently participate at lower rates, are more likely to drop out, and report worse sport experiences compared to boys. Body image is a critical factor identified to influence sport participation for adolescent girl athletes. Strategies to mitigate the impact of body image in sport are needed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify feasible and realistic strategies to mitigate and address body image concerns for adolescent girls involved in team sports at recreational or competitive levels. Seventy-one participants were involved in individual interviews across sport stakeholder groups, including 20 girl athletes, 11 parents of girl athletes, 13 coaches, 13 referees, and 14 sport administrators. Using a thematic analysis approach, 35 actionable strategies were identified that spanned four main themes: eliminating body image stigma, reconsidering uniforms and sport attire, from top to bottom - everyone has a role, and body-positive role modeling. The strategies spanned various systemic, environmental, social, and individual levels that are operationalized within an ecological model. Findings suggest that body image concerns in the sport environment are complex and call for multifaceted strategies that prioritize both the management of body image concerns and fostering of positive body image as a focal outcome.