Developmental and contextual risks of social physique anxiety among female athletes

DO TRAINING REGIMEN AND COMPETITIVE LEVEL AFFECT BODY IMAGE DISSATISFACTION (LEANNESS AND MUSCLE TONE) IN FEMALE ATHLETES?

ABSTRACT Introduction Studies that seek analyze the relationship between sport variables and body image are importants, because indicate if the competitive sport environment influence on body feelings of athlete. Objective To analyze the relationship between sports variables (training regimen and competitive level) and dissatisfaction in regard to leanness and muscle tone in female athletes. Methods One hundred and eighty female athletes aged over 12 years from various sport disciplines participated in the study. We used the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) to assess dissatisfaction in regard to leanness. The dissatisfaction subscale of Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) was used to evaluate dissatisfaction with muscle tone. Training regimen (frequency x daily hours of training) and competitive level were acquired through a questionnaire developed by the actual investigators. Results The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between the training regimen (F(1, 179)=4.01; p=0.047) and competitive level (F(2, 178)=3.59; p=0.031) and the BSQ scores. Moreover, the results indicated a statistically significant relationship between the training regimen (F(1, 179)=4.01; p=0.047) and the competitive level (F(2, 178)=3.59; p=0.031), with DMS dissatisfaction subscale scores. Conclusion Sports variables (training regimen and competitive level) were related to dissatisfaction in regard to leanness and muscle tone, although they demonstrated different magnitudes. Level of evidence III; study case-control.

SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY, DISTURBED EATING ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS, AND PERCEIVED PRESSURE FOR THIN BODY IN COMPETITIVE RHYTHMIC AND AEROBIC GYMNASTS

This study investigated social physique anxiety (SPA), disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors (DEAB), and perceived pressure for thin body by the “significant others” (coach, parents, peers, experts) in 41 female rhythmic gymnastics (RG) and 49 aerobic gymnastics (AG) athletes at competitive level. Moreover, the potential impact of gymnasts' BMI was examined and controlled. Results showed that BMI associated with gymnasts’ SPA, DEAB and perceived pressure, so its effect was controlled. There were no significant differences between RG and AG regarding SPA and DEAB, whereas AG athletes had higher parental pressure for thin body than RG athletes. When RG and AG data were merged, a high percentage (40%) of gymnasts presenting DEAB was revealed. Gymnasts with DEAB had significantly higher SPA and perceived pressure for thin body than those with normal eating attitudes and behaviors. These results underline the need for interventions involving “significant others” and aiming at DEAB prevention in female gymnasts.

Body image and weight management among Hispanic American adolescents: Differences by sport type

BACKGROUND

Adolescents' body image concerns vary by sex, ages, and participation in different types of sports. Little is known about variability of body image and weight management behaviors by sport type in Hispanic American adolescents. This study examined whether body image distortion and dissatisfaction are associated with weight management behaviors by sex and sport type in Hispanic adolescents.

METHODS

A sample of 728 Hispanic participants from the United States (61.6% female, Mage = 12.36 ± 2.35) completed the Stunkard Figural Stimuli, reported weight management behaviors and sport participation. Sports were classified as non-aesthetic (such as soccer), aesthetic (such as cheerleading), or non-sport participation. Separate multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models were conducted to test adjusted associations between body image dissatisfaction and distortion, and sport type with weight management behaviors.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Participants in non-aesthetic sports (51.2% male) were more dissatisfied with their body image (want to be bigger; B = -0.17; p = .01) and were 1.5 times more likely to use exercise to lose weight than non-sport participants. Greater body image dissatisfaction increased the likelihood of weight management behaviors. As year in school increased, participants perceived themselves as smaller than their actual BMI and wanted to be smaller. Hispanic females exhibited similar trends to other ethnicities. However, Hispanic males may have interpreted a desire to be "smaller" as a more lean, muscular physique. Subsequent studies should focus on reasons for weight management, and whether those behaviors are healthy.

Modified Maturity Offset Prediction Equations: Validation in Independent Longitudinal Samples of Boys and Girls

BACKGROUND

Predicted maturity offset and age at peak height velocity are increasingly used with youth athletes, although validation studies of the equations indicated major limitations. The equations have since been modified and simplified.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to validate the new maturity offset prediction equations in independent longitudinal samples of boys and girls.

METHODS

Two new equations for boys with chronological age and sitting height and chronological age and stature as predictors, and one equation for girls with chronological age and stature as predictors were evaluated in serial data from the Wrocław Growth Study, 193 boys (aged 8-18 years) and 198 girls (aged 8-16 years). Observed age at peak height velocity for each youth was estimated with the Preece-Baines Model 1. The original prediction equations were included for comparison. Predicted age at peak height velocity was the difference between chronological age at prediction and maturity offset.

RESULTS

Predicted ages at peak height velocity with the new equations approximated observed ages at peak height velocity in average maturing boys near the time of peak height velocity; a corresponding window for average maturing girls was not apparent. Compared with observed age at peak height velocity, predicted ages at peak height velocity with the new and original equations were consistently later in early maturing youth and earlier in late maturing youth of both sexes. Predicted ages at peak height velocity with the new equations had reduced variation compared with the original equations and especially observed ages at peak height velocity. Intra-individual variation in predicted ages at peak height velocity with all equations was considerable.

CONCLUSION

The new equations are useful for average maturing boys close to the time of peak height velocity; there does not appear to be a clear window for average maturing girls. The new and original equations have major limitations with early and late maturing boys and girls.

Weight Management Behaviors Among Mexican American Youth: Cross-Sectional Variation by Timing of Growth and Maturation

PURPOSE

To assess the association between growth and maturation with weight management behaviors (WMBs) among Mexican American youth.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design was used to measure timing of growth and maturation as well as WMBs.

SAMPLE

Students were recruited through physical education classes in south Texas schools. The sample included 623 participants (52.3% female; 49.8% with weight ≥85th percentile) in grades 4 through 12. Students in middle school were purposely oversampled to examine questions around timing of growth and maturation.

MEASURES

Growth was measured as maturity offset, an estimate of age at peak height velocity (PHV). Maturity offset is derived from chronological age, height, and sitting height measurements. Participants were classified as pre-PHV or post-PHV. Girls also were categorized as premenarche or early, average, or late maturing based on age at menarche. Weight was measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) percentile. Weight management behavior and timing of menarche were self-reported via a survey.

ANALYSIS

Descriptive characteristics were calculated for boys and girls separately. χ² Tests of proportion were used to test WMB by BMI percentile. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the likelihood of engaging in WMB by maturity offset and, for girls, timing of menarche.

RESULTS

Students with weight ≥85th percentile were more likely to describe themselves as overweight and report trying to lose weight through exercise or calorie restriction ( P < .0001). A 1-year increase in maturity offset was associated with youth being 31% more likely to perceive themselves as overweight but less likely to report calorie restriction (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87). Average maturing girls were more likely than premenarcheal girls to exercise, restrict calories, or fast to lose weight (OR = 3.27, 2.11, and 3.27, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Mexican American youth are engaging in WMB, even when their weight status is <85th percentile. The appropriateness of weight management counseling may need to consider a child's stage of growth.

Validation of maturity offset in a longitudinal sample of Polish girls

This study attempted to validate an anthropometric equation for predicting age at peak height velocity (PHV) in 198 Polish girls followed longitudinally from 8 to 18 years. Maturity offset (years before or after PHV) was predicted from chronological age, mass, stature, sitting height and estimated leg length at each observation; predicted age at PHV was the difference between age and maturity offset. Actual age at PHV for each girl was derived with Preece-Baines Model 1. Predicted ages at PHV increased from 8 to16 years and varied relative to time before and after actual age at PHV. Predicted and actual ages at PHV did not differ at 9 years, but predicted overestimated actual age at PHV from 10 to 16 years. Girls of contrasting maturity status differed in predicted age at PHV from 8 to 14 years. In conclusion, predicted age at PHV is dependent upon age at prediction and individual differences in actual age at PHV, which limits its utility as an indicator of maturity timing in general and in sport talent programmes. It may have limited applicability as a categorical variable (pre-, post-PHV) among average maturing girls during the interval of the growth spurt, ~11.0-13.0 years.

Top 10 research questions related to growth and maturation of relevance to physical activity, performance, and fitness

Growth, maturation, and development dominate the daily lives of children and adolescents for approximately the first 2 decades of life. Growth and maturation are biological processes, while development is largely a behavioral process. The 3 processes occur simultaneously and interact. They can be influenced by physical activity and also can influence activity, performance, and fitness. Allowing for these potential interactions, 10 questions on growth and maturation that have relevance to physical activity, performance, and fitness are presented. The questions are not mutually exclusive and address several broadly defined topical areas: exercise and growth, body weight status (body mass index, adiposity rebound, "unhealthy weight gain"), movement proficiency (hypothesized barrier, role in obesity), individual differences, tracking, maturity-associated variation in performance, and corresponding variation in physical activity. Central to the discussion of each is the need for a biocultural approach recognizing the interactions of biology and behavior as potential influences on the variables of interest.