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Strategies to Change Body Shape Among Men and Women Who Attend Fitness Centers
Marita McCabe, PhD*
and
Tegan James, DPsych
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: marita.mccabe{at}deakin.edu.au.
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Abstract |
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The current study examined the association between exercise behaviors, disordered eating, and other behaviors to change body shape among fitness center attendees. The participants were 520 adults (245 men, 275 women) who attended fitness centers. Data were gathered using an anonymous questionnaire. Women who attended fitness centers were generally trying to lose weight and improve fitness; men were generally trying to increase their muscles and improve their fitness level. Reasons for exercise predicted the nature of the body change strategies adopted by respondents. Regression analyses demonstrated that exercises performed by people who attend fitness centers are a reflection of whether or not they want to lose weight, increase muscle or improve fitness. All groups were equally likely to engage in health risk behaviors, but the specific nature of these behaviors varied by group. The implications of these findings for health-related messages among people who attend fitness centers are discussed.
First published on May 14, 2009, doi:10.1177/1010539509335498
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009;21:268.
A more recent version of this article appeared on July 1, 2009
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