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Author Spotlight: Advancements in 3D Optical Imaging for Comprehensive Body Composition Assessment in Modern Research
Published on: June 7, 2024
Body image concerns among individuals with different levels of sporting engagement and exercise: A longitudinal study
Rachel H Burgon1, Glenn Waller1
1University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Abstract:
This longitudinal study examined whether body image concerns (general; sporting) predicted eating disorder psychopathology, and whether the link differed according to nature of sport engagement. Participants were competitive sports engagers, non-competitive sports engagers, or sports non-engagers. At baseline, 510 adults completed online measures of sports demographics, eating psychopathology and body image. Eating psychopathology and body image measures were taken at follow-up (6 months later). Competitive sports engagers had better body image than the other two groups. Poorer body appreciation and better appearance-related body image predicted higher eating disorder psychopathology. Engaging in sports competitively may be beneficial for body image. However, positive appearance-related sporting body image may pose a risk for later eating psychopathology.
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