TY - JOUR
T1 - Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and women's mental and physical health
AU - Gillen, Meghan M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
PY - 2015/3/1
Y1 - 2015/3/1
N2 - Positive body image has been found to be associated with various beneficial health-related indicators among women. Yet, less is known about its health-related correlates among men. The goal of the current study was to examine associations between positive body image and various mental and physical health-related indicators in both men and women. Undergraduate students (. N=. 284) from a non-residential college in the northeastern United States participated. Individuals with greater positive body image reported less depression, higher self-esteem, fewer unhealthy dieting behaviors, lower drive for muscularity, and greater intentions to protect their skin from UV exposure and damage. Gender did not moderate these associations; thus, connections between positive body image and health-related indicators were similar for women and men. Results suggest that positive body image has significant implications for health and well-being beyond objective body size. Health care providers should encourage positive body image because of its potential health benefits.
AB - Positive body image has been found to be associated with various beneficial health-related indicators among women. Yet, less is known about its health-related correlates among men. The goal of the current study was to examine associations between positive body image and various mental and physical health-related indicators in both men and women. Undergraduate students (. N=. 284) from a non-residential college in the northeastern United States participated. Individuals with greater positive body image reported less depression, higher self-esteem, fewer unhealthy dieting behaviors, lower drive for muscularity, and greater intentions to protect their skin from UV exposure and damage. Gender did not moderate these associations; thus, connections between positive body image and health-related indicators were similar for women and men. Results suggest that positive body image has significant implications for health and well-being beyond objective body size. Health care providers should encourage positive body image because of its potential health benefits.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.01.002
DO - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.01.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 25682474
AN - SCOPUS:84924980789
SN - 1740-1445
VL - 13
SP - 67
EP - 74
JO - Body Image
JF - Body Image
ER -