Positive Body Image for Sports Women
Body image is how one perceives, thinks and feels about their body. Usually this type of thought process may have no bearing at all with the actual appearance. For example, it is common in Western nations for women to believe they are larger and fatter than they really are. Even the sports women are not exempt from this sort of negative body image. It is important to note that a distorted body image can lead to self-destructive behavior, like dieting or binge eating.
Choice of Sports and Body Image
Attitudes about gender-appropriate sports, also affects the body image of a sports woman in a negative way. Participation in certain sports is often represented as unfeminine. For example, given the choice between basketball and boxing, or racquet sports and wrestling, most sports women would go for basketball or racquet sports.
Come Out of the Concept of ‘Ideal Female Body’
Any type of sports can be a liberating experience for women, a golden opportunity for women to be in control of their own bodies. However, when women develop attributes that are supposedly perceived to be masculine, such as, muscle bulk or even, competitiveness, they are often subjected to a type of harassment that comes of deviating from the conventional norm of so called ‘ideal female body’. Number of athletes including Dawn Fraser, Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport, have received this sort of public treatment. But they possess a positive body image of themselves. And that is important! And so they could succeed.
Diet and Body Image
Diet and exercise are used to alter one’s body to conform to ideal female images and this can lead to eating disorders. There is a clear link between negative body image with the prevalence of eating disorders. Almost every person suffering from an eating disorder suffers from a severely distorted body image.
Effect of Paricipation in Sports
Participation in any kind of sports can improve body image according to research study by the Melpomene Institute in Minneapolis. Participation in sports elicits approval and helps women feel that their bodies are capable and competent. These positive feelings produce a positive body image. It cannot be denied that positive body image is developed only when the immediate environment is supportive and the experiences are positive.
How to Get A Positive Body Image?
Although body image is profoundly shaped by social, political, and gender constraints, these experiences are not static. These stereotypes need to be changed. By refusing the stereotype, sports women will have access to a greater diversity of experiences that shape body image and self-concept.
A negative body image develops over the course of one’s life, so changing it definitely requires time and effort. The following factors might lead to development of positive body image in sports women.
- Reflection on one’s experiences and trying to unravel the development of one’s body image from childhood
- Talking about these experiences and feelings with other sports women
- Treating one’s body with respect
- Giving the body enough food and rest
- Desisting from constant weighing of the body
- Consciously improving one’s health
- Being informed about body image issues
Getting professional help is a good idea if one feels depressed about her body. There are counselors and psychologists who can give proper guidance in changing negative beliefs and behaviors. Ultimately, healthier ways of eating and caring for one’s body, and the right attitude will lead to a positive body image.