The Effect of Gender in Improving Body Image and Self Esteem

There is considerable agreement that physical activity is associated with improvements in self-esteem and body image perception, however it would seem that these effects are not the same for both genders. This study examines the differences between the sexes on the affect of activity on self-esteem and body image. Self-esteem was measured using the 10item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; body image was assessed by the 23-item Body Cathexis Scale. These questionnaires were given to individuals belonging to three different groups: physical exercise (n=20), computer course (n=20) and no intervention control (n=20). They were administered on two occasions, at the start of the activity and after six weeks. It was found that in males but not in females, Body image perception of individuals in the physical exercise group showed a significant improvement after 6 weeks as measured by the Body Cathexis Scale. Again, for males only, the self-esteem of individuals on the computer course significantly improved as measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.