Body Image Evaluation and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward One's Own Body Among Women Practicing Pole Dance

Background/Objectives: Sociocultural attitudes toward appearance and body image are important components of women's psychological well-being, particularly in the context of physical activities involving body exposure, such as pole dance. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare body image and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance between women practicing pole dance and women not engaged in this activity, and to examine the associations between these variables. Methods: The study included 207 women practicing pole dance (PDG) in clubs and schools across Poland and 180 women not practicing this discipline, who served as the control group (CG). Data were collected using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method with a proprietary questionnaire and standardized tools: the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire 3 (SATAQ 3) and the Body Esteem Scale (BES). Results: Women practicing pole dance had lower mean BMI and were less frequently overweight but more frequently underweight compared to the control group. They obtained significantly higher scores on the Internalization-Pressure and Internalization-Athlete scales of the SATAQ 3. Significant between-group differences in body image were observed only for the Physical Condition subscale of the BES, with higher scores in the pole dance group. Significant negative correlations were identified between sociocultural attitudes toward appearance and body image in both groups, with stronger associations observed among women practicing pole dance. Conclusions: Participation in pole dance was associated with higher self-evaluation of physical condition as well as stronger internalization of sociocultural appearance norms. Due to the cross-sectional design, the findings indicate associations rather than causal relationships. The results underline the importance of preventive and educational strategies promoting a functional rather than exclusively esthetic approach to the body.