Cultural Views Of Body Image And Physical Activity Amongst Young Adult Women

Black and Hispanic women are less active than White women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). There is some evidence that they have unique barriers and motives for physical activity. For example, managing hairstyles is consistently cited as a barrier for Black women and Black women are less motivated to pursue a thin body (Joseph et al., 2018). PURPOSE: This study is designed to test these issues in a diverse sample of young adult women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess physical activity engagement, ideal body, social pressures, and hair. A total of 117 participants, recruited via online platforms and word of mouth completed an online questionnaire. The survey included the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, Women of Color Body Image Survey, Motives for Physical Activities Measures - Revised, and a question about physical activity participation. Responses were collected over 7 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Both White and Asian women reported higher levels of physical activity than Black and Hispanic women. There were unexpected results in motives for an hourglass figure as Black, m = 3.8 (1.5) and Hispanic, m = 3.3 (1.8) women disagreed with that ideal. Neither group had any hair concerns: Asian, m = 3.8 (0.7); White, m = 3.6 (0.9); Black, m = 3.4 (1.0); and Hispanic, m = 3.1 (1.3). Neither group felt any family or peer pressure regarding their appearance, but all (Asian, m = 4.4 (0.6); Black, m = 4.1 (0.8); and White, m = 4.1 (0.8)) except for Hispanic, m = 3.7 (1.2) women felt media pressure. Asian, m = 5.8 (1.4); White, m = 5.6 (0.9); Black, m = 5.5 (1.2); and Hispanic, m = 5.4 (1.3) women all reported they are motivated to exercise because of their appearance; and fitness: Hispanic, m = 5.9 (0.9); Asian, m = 5.8 (0.8); White, m = 5.7 (0.9); and Black, m = 5.5 (1.2). No group reported being motivated to exercise because of social support: Asian, m = 3.5 (1); White, m = 3.4 (0.9); Hispanic, m = 2.9 (1.2); and Black, m = 2.8 (1.4). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that not all women have the same physical activity motivations and views of their body especially young adults. This should be considered when creating physical activity interventions.