# Multidimensional Assessment of Athletic and Non-Athletic Female Students Through Analysis of BMI, Body Perception, Objectification, and Attitudes Towards the Ideal Body

## TL;DR

This study compares body image perceptions between athletic and non-athletic female students, finding that sports participation is linked to healthier body perceptions and less dissatisfaction.

## Contribution

The study introduces a multidimensional framework linking BMI, body perception, objectification, and ideal body attitudes in athletic and non-athletic female students.

## Key findings

- Non-athletic students showed stronger correlations between BMI and body dissatisfaction compared to athletic students.
- Sports participation is associated with weaker correlations between BMI and negative body image indicators.
- Linear regression analysis revealed higher predictive validity in non-athletic individuals for physical and psychosocial factors.

## Abstract

This study critically examines the multidimensional differences in body image perceptions among female students who participate in regular sports activities compared to their sedentary counterparts. The investigation involved a sample of 436 female students divided into two distinct groups: the sports group (GS, n = 180), consisting of participants from physical education and sports disciplines, and the non-sports group (GNS, n = 256). Anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were systematically taken, along with the administration of three validated psychometric tools: the Silhouette Rating Scale (SRS) to assess body perception and satisfaction, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC) to evaluate body objectification, and the Ideal Body Stereotype Scale-Revised (IBIS-R) to analyze perceptions of ideal body stereotypes. Notably, body dissatisfaction (SRS-D) showed the strongest correlation with BMI in both groups, with the non-athletic group displaying slightly higher correlation coefficients (r = 0.940) compared to the athletic group (r = 0.904; p < 0.001). Additionally, stereotypes related to the ideal body (IBIS-R) were strongly correlated with BMI in the non-athletic group (r = 0.846), whereas the athletic group showed a slightly lower correlation (r = 0.805). The body objectification measure (OBC) demonstrated moderate correlations, with the non-athletic group showing stronger associations (r = 0.394 vs. r = 0.352). Linear regression analysis revealed that non-athletic individuals exhibited higher predictive validity, characterized by greater R2 values and stronger correlations between physical and psychosocial factors. The results indicate that participation in sports serves as a protective factor against negative body image, shown by weaker correlations in the sports group. This research suggests that engaging in physical activities is associated with healthier body profiles and a more positive body image, leading to greater satisfaction and more realistic perceptions of body size.