Attitudes Toward the Body and Health Behaviors
by
Jason K. Maurice
Brandeis University
Coauthors: Bill Thornton

Health has become a primary pursuit in modern western culture. Researchers have suggested that the body is the center of the pursuit of health. The current study examines how people’s self-attitudes toward their body’s physical appearance and physical functioning affects a range of health related behaviors. Specifically, it is expected that more positive attitudes towards one’s body will relate to healthier behaviors. Participants filled out a survey assessing how positive they felt about 17 body parts (e.g. waist, arms, legs) and 11 body functions (e.g. strength, reflexes, stamina). Additionally, they were asked how often they used drugs (cigarettes, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana), the extent they engage in various healthy behaviors (healthy eating, healthy sleeping, exercise), and how often they use risky vs. safe weight control behaviors. MANOVA was used to examine the effect of the body attitude variables on the 3 groups of health behaviors. The multivariate results for drug use were not significant, however univariate tests revealed that those with more positive attitudes toward body function used more alcohol and cigarettes. The multivariate tests for general healthy behaviors revealed a significant effect of body function attitudes with univariate tests showing those with more positive feelings about body functioning exercised more. Multivariate tests on the weight behaviors revealed a significant effect of attitudes toward appearance. Univariate tests show that individuals with more positive attitudes toward appearance use more safe dieting strategies and slightly less risky dieting strategies. For most of the effects better attitudes were related to healthier behaviors. The exceptions were higher cigarette and alcohol use for those with better attitudes towards functioning. It may be that more positive feelings toward functioning lead to a “feeling of invincibility” that leads one to believe that using drugs won’t hurt them. Implications are discussed.

Date received: August 29, 2003