Gender Differences in Physical Fitness, Body Shape Satisfaction, and Body Figure Preferences

The present study aimed to determine the relationship between physical fituess and body shape satisfaction; gender and age differences in physical fituess, body shape satisfaction, and body figure preferences. Participants (35 men and 34 women with age range 18-32 years) were taken from fitness centers and jogging tracks of Lahore city. It was expected that gender related differences in physical fitness, body shape satisfaction, and body figure preferences would appear, with women exhibiting greater concerns as compared to men. Data was collected using the protocols: Eating Attitodes Test (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979), Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper, Taylor, Cooper, & Fairburn, 1987), Body Figure Preferences Test (Stunkard & Schulsinger, 1983), and Physical Activities Test (Ashfaq, 2008). Pearson Product Moment correlations, independent sample t-test, chi squares, and cross tabulation were conducted for data analyses. Findings revealed significant positive relationship between physical fitness and body shape concern. Gender differences were found only on body shape as women exhibited greater dissatisfaction and higher differences on current and ideal body shape as compared to men, however, no gender differences in physical fitness and body shape satisfaction were found.