Hispanic Female Body Perception: High School Athletes versus Nonathletes in Chicago

• In Event: 084 - Student Forum Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Student Forum Roundtable Session. Table 01. Gender and Self

Abstract

Females in the United States struggle with a negative body perception. In fact, since 1950, the number of cases for eating disorders have been increasing at an alarming rate. The purpose of this research project is to examine the difference in body perceptions between Hispanic high school females athletes compared to nonathletes. Past studies largely focused on Caucasian women. Here, 163 Hispanic high school females in a Chicago were surveyed. Comparing female athletes and female nonathletes, we found that participation in sports has a positive effect on female body image as the females who are in sports see themselves as more attractive. However, for females that joined a sport to become more attractive, there was actually a negative effect on body image as they viewed themselves as less attractive. We also have found that there is no correlation between body image and grades. Additionally, we uncovered that females who participate in sports do not identify themselves to be more masculine than feminine.

Authors

• Evaristo Torres, University of Illinois-Chicago

• Fernando Govea, University of Illinois-Chicago

• Benjamin Cordova, University of Illinois-Chicago