Abstract
This study examined the relationship between social-environmental influences and body image perception. Specifically, the study explored the perceived body appearance among young and older students attending higher education, and their eating experiences, as related to four main social-environmental circles: family, friends, work colleagues, and media. The present study interviewed 30 students (14 men and 16 women) ages 20–40. The findings show that most of the participants were concerned about their appearance, reported on various eating habits rooted on family tradition. Findings revealed differences among gender and age groups regarding, especially regarding sport and dissatisfaction with their own perceived appearance. Although more women reported on healthy eating habits and doing sport, they reported higher dissatisfaction with their body appearance. It was found that in both groups, family habits and their parents’ remarks about bodies had an ongoing effect and significant influence on their body self-perceptions. Further health promotion should be directed in particular to individuals with a perceived negative body image, in order to enhance positive body self-perception, implementing heathy eating habits and engaging higher commitment to sport.
Highlights
A few studies have examined body image while focusing on social environments among the adult population, the present study focused on the relationship between body perception, gender, and age, through an in-depth exploration of how adults disclose their appearance and how much the surroundings influence on their body perception
The interview comprised three topics: (a) three questions referring to body awareness and body image, including personal perception of body awareness and body image, and habits concerning the body, such as, “What do you think about your body?” and “Are you doing any sports?” (b) four questions regarding the impact of agents of socialization on their body image, such as “Did your family members express any judgments, thoughts, and feelings about your body and body appearance?” and “Did your friends, peers, and colleagues express any judgments, thoughts, and feelings about your body and body appearance?” and (c) two questions regarding the impact of perceived body image and appearance on workers’ career, such as
Our results revealed that participants were concerned about their general body appearance, including their weight, across age groups and gender
Summary
Body image is defined as an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with his or her appearance and physical ability [1]. The interest in body appearance has been both theoretical and practical, in various fields of the social sciences [2] including examining the relationships between perceived body image and different psychological and health issues such as depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem [3,4]. A few studies have examined body image while focusing on social environments among the adult population, the present study focused on the relationship between body perception, gender, and age, through an in-depth exploration of how adults disclose their appearance and how much the surroundings (i.e., family, peers, media) influence on their body perception.
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