Background/Purpose The pressure from media and society to achieve the perfect body has led to increased body-disturbance among both men and women, especially young adults. Limited research has examined the relationship of body image between male and female students enrolled using recreational facilities in the collegiate setting. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity in recreation facilities and body image of college students.
Method Participants were 94 male (n=51) and female (n=43) randomly selected students. Data were analyzed using correlations in SPSS (18), p<.05.
Analysis/Results A significant relationship was found between gender and body image r = .463, p= .001, r2 = .21. Females were more concerned about body image compared to males. A significant negative relationship was found between weight hours and gender r = -.420, p=.001, r2 =.176. Gender accounted for 17.6% of the variability; females spent significantly less time using weight facilities compared to males. A significant relationship was found between cardio hours and gender r=.271, p=.008, r2 =.07. Females used cardio facilities significantly more than males.
Conclusions Findings are consistent with the literature, however increased participation in weight lifting hours correlated with a decreased concern about body image. Perhaps supervisors could develop female centered programs in weight facilities to increased strength training programs in an environment where they do not feel judged, scrutinized, or inferior to males.