Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2008):

Social physique anxiety, obligation to exercise, and exercise choices among college students.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined relationships among social physique anxiety, obligation to exercise, and exercise choices. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: College students (N = 337; 200 women, 137 men) volunteered to complete 3 questionnaires: the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and Physical Activity Specification Survey (PASS). RESULTS: On the SPAS, men (M score = 31.9 +/- 8.8) differed from women (M score = 37.3 +/- 8.3; p = .001). Men (M score = 43.0 +/- 9.9) and women (M score = 43.0 +/- 9.6) responded similarly (p = .94) on the OEQ. There was no interaction between sex and exercise level on the SPAS or OEQ. When separated by low, medium, and high SPAS scores, neither OEQ nor exercise scores differed. CONCLUSIONS: Obligation to exercise appears to be similar for both sexes. Women, however, appear to have higher levels of anxiety regarding how others evaluate their physique than do men. The combination of level of activity and sex do not appear to be associated with social physique anxiety or obligation to exercise.

Author information

Author/s: Chu, Hui-Wen (HW); Bushman, Barbara A (BA); Woodard, Rebecca J (RJ);

Affiliation: Health Promotion and Wellness Management, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65897, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of American college health : J of ACH (J Am Coll Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2008 Jul-Aug; vol 57 (issue 1) : pp 7-14

Dates: Created 2008/08/06; Completed 2008/09/23;

PMID: 18682340, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Anxiety - epidemiology Body Image Exercise - physiology; psychology Female Humans Male Midwestern United States - epidemiology

Midwestern United States - epidemiology Physical Fitness - psychology Questionnaires Self Concept Sex Factors Social Responsibility Social Values Students - psychology Universities

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