Body Image, Disordered Eating, and Self-Esteem Among Young Adult Female Athletes in The Aesthetic Sports of Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Dance, and Swimming

Women participating in the aesthetic sports of cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and swimming are more prone to develop eating disorders and higher levels of body dissatisfaction than non-athletes. In addition to successful performance levels, female athletes participating in shape-based sports are expected to maintain a contradicting thin-build body type that not only satisfies society’s standards to look thin but also demonstrates the strength required to perform in specific sports. Female athletes are faced with sociocultural pressures that can lead to adopting thin-idealism, and further result in serious effects on an athlete’s perception of themselves, as well as their physical health. Social comparison and diet culture are other factors that contribute to an athlete’s unhealthy behaviors, and society’s involvement in media to equate beauty with women who have thin bodies and persuade individuals to never feel satisfied with their appearance is so long-established that many athletes strive for perfectionism. This study evaluated the relationship between female athletes in aesthetic sports and their feelings towards their body composition, eating habits, and self-esteem through an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine trends, if any, between subgroups of respondents (n=58) who identify between 18 to 25 years old and have previously or currently participated in cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and/or swimming. Data revealed that a majority of respondents often feel insecure about how their body looks during sports participation, and often experience social comparison to their teammates/peers. The most frequent activity to change body composition resulted in skipping meals/hunger cues among cheerleaders, dancers, and gymnasts, while swimmers engaged most in exercising more than once a day. Athletes with 10 or more years of athletic involvement also stated that they moderately to strongly related to the statement: “I think a lot about looking thin.” Ultimately, analysis supports that the sports industry requires more awareness of the health risks associated with certain sports, and how athletes and their coaches lack health-related education regarding proper nutrition, exercise, and body acceptance.