Weight Pressure and Its Influence on Body Image and Social Physique Anxiety in University Football Players

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of weight pressure on body image and social physique anxiety (SPA) among university football players. In competitive sports, body weight and appearance are a major concern for athletes and that may have a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of the athletes. Athletes, for example in team sports such as football, may be put under pressure from teammates, coaches, and the sporting world in general to fit in with respect to body composition. The purpose of this study was to explore the weight pressure, body image dissatisfaction, and social physique anxiety relationships among male university football players. A cross-sectional survey design was used and the data was gathered from 160 male football players of public and private universities. The participants were selected by purposive sampling in which only those who were actively playing football in university were included in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure perceived weight pressure from coaches, teammates, and institutional practices, body image satisfaction, and social physique anxiety, with the Weight Pressures & Social Physique Anxiety Scale in Sport (WPSS) serving as a measure of perceived weight pressure. The results of the study demonstrated that there is a significant correlation between weight pressure and body image dissatisfaction among the University football players. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between weight pressure and social physique anxiety indicating that players who feel pressure about their weight are more prone to social physique anxiety, which is the feeling of anxiety about one's physical appearance and how they are judged by others. The results suggest that body image concerns and social physique anxiety are not isolated issues but are interrelated and exacerbated by weight pressures in the football environment. The results showed the importance of increasing the awareness and intervention in sports to tackle the psychological impacts of weight pressure. Coaches and sports organizations should strive to diminish unrealistic weight standards and to build a mental health environment that promotes self-acceptance and body positivity. Overall, the study highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy that addresses all aspects of an athlete's health, including their mental state, as well as their physical condition, in order to optimize their performance and overall satisfaction with their sport.