The relationship between media image, body image, and nutritional status: research on professional female volleyball players

This study was conducted to determine the media image and its impact on body image and nutrition status of 100 professional female volleyball players aged between 18-30 in teams affiliated to the Turkish Volleyball Federation. Their dietary habits and use of food supplement products were recorded with a questionnaire prepared by the researcher and administered face-to-face. Anthropometric measurements taken, body mass indexes (BMI) calculated, body compositions determined with bioelectric impedance analysis, and 24-hour retrospective nutrient consumption records were taken. The “Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale” (SATAQ-3) was used in order to evaluate the media image of women volleyball players. The (PSPP) and “Body Parts and Properties Satisfaction Scale” were used for determining their level of satisfaction with their own appearance. The average age of this sample of female volleyball players was 24.3±3.55 years. Their body mass index (BMI) was 20.7±1.48 kg/m2 on average. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between “feeling pressure from the media” (a sub-dimension of the SATAQ-3), and “body attractiveness” a sub-dimension of the PSPP.   Feelings of body attractiveness decreased as media pressure increased (p<0.05). A statistically significant negative relationship was found between trying to look like the celebrities in the media and “sports talent and body attractiveness” (p<0.05). Participants felt their bodies were less attractive as compared with celebrities (p<0.05). No significant relationship was found between the sub-dimensions of the SATAQ-3and the “Body Parts and Properties Satisfaction Scale” (p>0.05). We conclude that media image can be an important risk factor for increased body dissatisfaction, impaired body perception, and the formation of a negative body image in female Turkish volleyball players.