Exercise and body image: A meta-analysis

Abstract

This review applied meta-analytic procedures to integrate research findings examining the impact of exercise on body image. We performed extensive literature searching strategies and located 121 published and unpublished studies that examined the impact of exercise on body image. Primary study results were coded, and meta-analytic procedures were conducted. Studies were grouped into intervention (i.e., exercise vs nonexercise group post-exercise intervention body-image scores), single group (i.e., pre vs post exercise intervention body-image scores), and correlational (i.e., exercisers vs nonexercisers body-image scores) effect sizes. Small effect sizes (that were weighted by sample size), that were significantly different from zero, indicated that: (a) exercisers had a more positive body image than nonexercisers; (b) exercise intervention participants reported a more positive body image post intervention compared to the nonexercising control participants; and (c) exercisers had a significant improvement in body image scores following an exercise intervention. We concluded that exercise was associated with improved body image. Moderating variables and implications for exercise prescription to improve body image were discussed.

Keywords:

• Quantitative synthesis
• physical activity
• eating disorder

Notes

¹ Originally our intent was to examine the moderating effects of socioecomonic status, body composition, and ethnicity on the size of the effect. Insufficient information for these moderator variables, however, prevented this examination.

² Tables containing a summary of the studies included in the meta-analysis are available from the first author.

*Study used in the meta-analysis.