BODY IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM, BODY COMPOSITION AND EXERCISE: A STUDY OF BAHRAINI WOMEN
| Author | AL. ANSARI, MONA SALEH | |
|---|---|---|
| metadata.dc.date.accessioned | 2026-09-20T15:52:45Z | |
| Publication date | 1995 | |
| Degree level | Doctoral | |
| Abstract | ABSTRACT: A two-phase study was conducted to investigate: first, body image, body composition, self-esteem, and social aspects of the bodies of older and younger Bahraini women; and second, the effects of an exercise program on a group of Bahraini women. The perceptions of male significant others were also explored. Body image was measured by: (a) the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), (b) the Nine-Figure Silhouette Scale, and (c) perception of the current and ideal body mass. Body composition was measured by anthropometric measurement techniques. Self-esteem was measured by: (a) the Adult Form of Self-esteem Inventories, and (b) the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) and the Perceived Importance Profile (PIP). Social aspects of the body were measured by two constructed questionnaires The results of the first phase indicated that there were significant differences between the older and younger women in all body composition measurements. The percentage body fat values of the two groups indicated obesity (>35%), although the majority of the women were not aware that they were obese. These women were shown to be dissatisfied with their body mass and wanted to be significantly lighter than their current body mass. Body cathexis scores correlated negatively and significantly (P The male groups were shown to be dissatisfied with their wives' bodies, with their ideal female figure significantly thinner than their perceived wives' figures. Self-esteem scores indicated that for the younger women only, global self-esteem correlated significantly with physical self-worth of the PSPP (P Physical self-worth correlated significantly with the condition subdomain of the PSPP (P In conclusion, this phase indicated that, like Western women, younger and older Bahraini women were dissatisfied with their weight and figures, and their percentage of body fat indicated that they were obese Phase II of the study investigated the effects of the exercise program on body image, body composition, self-esteem, and physical fitness. Body image, body composition, and self-esteem were measured by the same instruments used in phase I. Physical fitness was measured by the YMCA fitness test battery, including cardiorespiratory endurance (predicted Vo₂ max), muscular endurance (sit-ups and bench press), and flexibility (sit and reach test). The exercise program consisted of three months of aerobic exercise (walking/jogging) and other forms of exercises to enhance muscular endurance and flexibility. The women were measured before, during, and after the exercise program ANOVA for repeated measures indicated significant improvements in most of the body composition measurements. Post-exercise measurements compared to pre-exercise measurements indicated a reduction of about 3 kg in body mass, 1% in body fat, 2.1 kg in fat mass, and 0.9 kg in fat-free mass. All these changes are in agreement with that reported in the literature, except for fat-free mass. The results also indicated improvements in the physical fitness status of the subjects, which was significant for the cardiorespiratory endurance test, muscular endurance (sit-ups test), and flexibility. The effects of exercise on psychological parameters were evident only in those specific to the body. The women's perceptions of their body attractiveness (measured by the PSPP) improved significantly. They were shown to be less dissatisfied with their weight, waist, and profile items of the BCS. There were significant changes in the way the women perceived their own figures and the way they idealized a female figure. The distance between their current figures and their ideal figure became smaller, indicating that they became more realistic in their ideal. Exercise also appeared to have a significant effect on the husbands' perceptions of their wives' current figures, which became thinner, while they showed a tendency to idealize a fatter woman. Global self-esteem and total body cathexis did not change significantly, which supports the notion that these general psychological constructs are stable over time. In conclusion, the exercise program was shown to be effective in improving the physical, physiological, and those specific psychological parameters | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.other | Drupal node 4231 | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.other | https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/en/dar/body-image-self-esteem-body-composition-and-exercise-study-bahraini-women | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.uri | http://165.227.56.122/handle/123456789/7358 | |
| Language | en | |
| Link | https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/en/_flysystem/fedora/2025-07/001563_body_image.pdf | |
| Subject | PHYSICAL STUDIES -- Dissertations | |
| Title | BODY IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM, BODY COMPOSITION AND EXERCISE: A STUDY OF BAHRAINI WOMEN | |
| Type | Doctoral Dissertation |
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