Body Image of Adult Women the Light of Physical Activity, Morphologic, and Sociodemographic Data

Background/Objectives: There are no empirical data available on non-pathological determinants of the body image (BI) among adult women. The importance of the BI for sense of well-being prompted authors to study its relationships with sociodemographic (age, education level, professional, marital, material status), morphologic (body mass index – BMI) and behavioral (habitual physical activity) variables.. Methods: A cross-sectional study of a cohort of volunteer women was conducted with the one-time measurement of the dependent variables – individual components of the BI – using the standard Body Esteem Scale (BES) questionnaire. Seven hundred and forty respondents participated. Results: The BMI was a factor differentiating all domains BES. Among the analysed sociodemographic variables, intergroup comparisons showed significant effects of education and material status in BES domains: sexual attractiveness and weight concern. The physical condition domain showed differences between categories of professional and material status influenced the domain of physical condition. The level of physical activity differentiated respondents in the domains of weight concern and physical condition. Conclusions: Adult women are generally critical about their BI. A factor that adversely affects BES is excessive BMI. Sociodemographic factors influence the BI to a lesser degree. Physical activity is a strong moderator of physical condition, especially in young women.