Better to emphasize health over appearance

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Oct, 2007

Women with chronic issues with their body image are more likely to benefit from an exercise class where the instructor emphasizes the health benefits of the workout over improved appearance, even if those women chose the class in hopes of improving their physique, demonstrates a study from Ohio State University, Columbus.

The researchers studied college-aged women who had social physique anxiety--a disorder in which someone chronically worries that others are critiquing his or her body. "Women who have this disorder usually are interested in exercise to improve their appearance, but an instructor who emphasizes physique during a workout may deter such students from coming back," says Brian Focht, assistant professor of health behavior and health promotion.

Women in the study reported that they enjoyed a step-aerobics class more when the instructor focused on the health-related aspects of the workout, telling them how exercise will make them more fit. These individuals were more likely to say that they would try a similar class in the future, compared to those who were taught by an instructor who emphasized appearance by making comments about how the exercise would tone their legs or other body parts.

In the classes that emphasized health over appearance, the instructor wore a loose-fitting T-shirt and gym shorts. She also sprinkled health-oriented comments throughout the session. In the appearance-based classes, however, she wore tight-fit-ting aerobics attire while making comments that drew attention to looks. The instructor's leadership style directly affected the student's attitudes toward the class. The women in the health-oriented class reported that they felt more engaged in the workout as well as revitalized and less exhausted after class than did those in the appearance-targeted sessions.