Self-objectification: Implications for physical activity in middle-aged women and men

ABSTRACT

Self-objectification (i.e., valuing the body primarily for its attractiveness to others) is negatively related to physical health, including physical activity (PA) attitudes and behaviors. Given the low levels of PA among middle-aged adults in the US, self-objectification may be a novel correlate of PA in this population. The present study examined self-objectification and PA variables in a cross-sectional Western U.S. community sample of women (n = 215) and men (n = 134), aged 45–64, including gender as a moderator of these relations. Data were collected via survey, including measures of self-objectification, PA enjoyment, PA perceived benefits and barriers, and self-reported levels of PA. Women and men in our sample did not differ in levels of self-objectification. Results of regression analyses indicated that self-objectification predicted less PA enjoyment. In addition, men higher in self-objectification reported higher levels of PA. The findings implicate self-objectification as a potentially novel determinant of PA attitudes and behaviors in middle-aged adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-objectification
• body image
• physical activity
• health behavior
• middle adulthood

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the El Paso County division of the Colorado Judicial Branch for their support of participant recruitment and Vanessa Lavaty, Trudy Roberts, Cleo Reinking, and Kuhu Basak for their many hours assisting with data collection and data entry.

Author contributions

JoAnna Dieker collected data, analyzed data, and participated in the writing of the entire manuscript. Brenna Renn collected data, provided consultation and critical feedback on data analysis, and participated in the writing of the manuscript. Elizabeth Daniels conceptualized the research question for the study, participated in the writing of the manuscript, and provided critical feedback on the analyses and the entire manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [T32MH073553].