Physical Self-Description is More Accurate in Exercisers

Abstract

Exercise programs designed to reduce body fatness may improve self-esteem because the obese tend to have negative attitudes about their bodies. Exercise in and of itself, whether or not it leads to reduction in body fatness also may be important, as physical fitness is related to physical self-concept, and exercise intervention may enhance physical self-concept. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic exercisers (CE) could more accurately self-estimate their percent body fat than non-exercisers (NE). METHODS: There were 87 participants of which 23 males and 23 females met the criteria to be considered CE. CE were defined as individuals who regularly exercised either aerobically or anaerobically 3 or more times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes per session for the previous 6 months or longer. NE were individuals who did not participate in any type of exercise during the previous 6 months. Subject included CE males (n=23, mass: 86.5±11.7 kg, ht: 176.7±5.6 cm), NE males (n= 19, mass: 89.0±21.3 kg, ht: 180.0±7.9 cm), CE females (n=23 mass: 62.0±8.5 kg, ht: 165.2±7.4 cm), and NE females (n=22, mass: 62.5±8.4 kg, ht: 165.1±5.9 cm). Body composition was determined using hydrostatic weighing. Body composition results were compared with self-estimated percent body fat as reported on a questionnaire to determine if CE could more accurately self-estimate their percent body fat than NE. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients, Bland and Altman plots, regression analysis, and absolute differences were used to evaluate the agreement between actual and estimated body fat percentages. Independent of statistical technique, CE demonstrated higher agreement than NE for both males and females. Mean percent absolute differences were significantly more accurate for CE than NE for both males (CE 3.7+ 3.1 vs. NE 5.8 + 4.6: p<.05) and females (CE 3.1 + 2.7 vs. NE 5.7 + 4.0: p<.05). Further, agreement between measured percent body fat and self-estimated percent body fat was independent of gender. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exercisers exhibit enhanced physical self-description as measured by a superior accuracy of self-estimated percent body fat.