Body Image Among University Students

NCT ID: NCT04256967

Last Updated: 2024-03-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 993 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2023-12-01

Brief Summary

A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. The study uses a cross-sectional design with a questionnaire to measure outcomes in male and female students in Norway.

Detailed Description

Background: A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is well known that students studying sport science are exposed to an enhanced focus on lifestyle and the body beyond what focus that already exist in the society. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. Methods:

The study uses a cross-sectional design with a web-based questionnaire to measure outcomes in 1764 male and female students in Norway. In addition to descriptive data on the sample, a Pearson's correlation, independent t-test og chi-square will be used to investigate associations and differences between groups. Statistical significance is defined at a p-value of <.05. Implications: Results from the study provides a description of the sample and will provide a foundation for targeted actions, interventions for optimization in terms of study environment to reduce negative body image and potential reported pressure to have a specific body, and promotion of positive body image and prevention of negative body experiences. This could contribute to a healthier student environment and enhances the chance to develop students who adapts and take knowledge with them into their future work life, and apply this knowledge in a safe and health promotive way.

Conditions

Body Image; Body Image Disturbance; Physical Activity; Dietary Habits; Quality of Life

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Sport sciences

Bachelor and master students who study sport science or physical activity and health science

Body and health focused study environment

Intervention Type: OTHER

Students are exposed to lectures, literature, co-students, contexts that provide body and lifestyle awareness beyond the existing exposure of the society in general

Controls

Bachelor and master students who study other fields not related to sport or physical activity and health sciences.

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Body and health focused study environment

Students are exposed to lectures, literature, co-students, contexts that provide body and lifestyle awareness beyond the existing exposure of the society in general

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Students at Norwegian University Colleges or Universities
• Students who are able to read and write in Norwegian
• Fulltime students

Exclusion Criteria

• Students who are not able to read or write in Norwegian
• Part-time students

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University College of Southeast Norway

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Agder

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Ostfold University College

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Professor Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Locations

Norwegian school of sport sciences

Oslo, , Norway

Countries

Norway

References

Sundgot-Borgen C, Sundgot-Borgen J, Bratland-Sanda S, Kolle E, Torstveit MK, Svantorp-Tveiten KME, Mathisen TF. Body appreciation and body appearance pressure in Norwegian university students comparing exercise science students and other students. BMC Public Health. 2021 Mar 19;21(1):532. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10550-0.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 33740918 (View on PubMed)

Sundgot-Borgen C, Mathisen TF, Torstveit MK, Sundgot-Borgen J. Explanations for use of dietary- and muscle enhancing dietary supplements among university students: a national cross-sectional study. BMC Nutr. 2022 Feb 24;8(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00510-1.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 35209960 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

CSB

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id