A Pilot Study of a Body Neutrality Workbook Intervention to Improve Physical Activity and Motivation in Insufficiently Active Women

Nearly half of adult women in the United States do not meet recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), despite well-established health benefits. Sociocultural pressures emphasizing thinness and appearance may promote controlled, appearance-based motivation for physical activity (PA), a motivational orientation that has been associated with less sustained engagement. This pilot study examined whether a 6-week, self-guided body neutrality workbook intervention was associated with changes in MVPA and psychological mediators of PA among insufficiently active adult women. Twenty participants who did not meet PA guidelines at baseline completed pre- and post-intervention assessments of MVPA, motivation, basic psychological needs, body image constructs, and PA intentions and planning. Results indicated a moderate increase in MVPA. Improvements were also observed in autonomy, competence, intrinsic and integrated motivation, body functionality appreciation, body compassion, and PA intentions and planning, alongside reductions in introjected regulation and appearance-based social comparison. These findings suggest that a body neutrality approach may support more autonomous motivation for PA. Although limited by small sample size and lack of a control group, this study provides preliminary evidence that body neutrality-based interventions may represent a promising, scalable strategy to promote both psychological well-being and PA engagement among adult women.