Dorothy L. Schmalz

'I Feel Fat': Weight-Related Stigma, Body Esteem, and BMI as Predictors of Perceived Competence in Physical Activity

Background: Efforts toward increasing participation in physical activity to prevent and treat overweight and obesity have as yet proved unsuccessful. Among the many barriers that discourage participation are weight-related stigmas. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between consciousnesses of weight-related stigma and perceived competence in physical activity. A secondary purpose of the study was to explore the potential mediation effects of body esteem and body mass index (BMI) on the relationship. Consciousness of weight stigma, body esteem, and BMI are explored as predictors of perceived competence in physical activity. Methods: Participants included 76 adults who were enrolled in a weight management program. Data were collected using self-administered ques-tionnaires. Path modeling was used to assess the rela-tionships between stigma consciousness and perceived physical activity competence, and the potential mediation effects of BMI and body esteem. Results: Tests indicated that body esteem, but not BMI, mediated the rela-tionship of consciousness of weight-related stigma and perceived physical activity competence. Conclusions: Consciousness of weight stigma, regardless of objective weight status, may negatively affect individuals’ willing-ness to participate in physical activity. Findings such as these are important in furthering understanding the factors that affect behavior, and subsequently conducting programs to overcome perceptions of weight and physical activity to encourage participation.

Social media sites as a means of coping with a threatened social identity.

Since their inception in the early- to mid-2000s, social media sites (SMS) have burgeoned into a popular leisure pursuit with millions of users worldwide. Defined as Internet-based software programs that facilitate communication among individuals, members use them to exchange information, develop friendships, and find social support. Despite their rapid growth as a leisure time activity, there is a dearth of research exploring use of SMS. Using social identity theory as a framework, this study uses quantitative and qualitative data to explore how people who identified as “Penn Staters” used SMS to connect with others and exchange information during and in the wake of the breaking news of the Sandusky Scandal (SS). As predicted, highly identified Penn Staters used SMS to cope with news of the SS. However, interesting variations in usage based on demographic information are presented and discussed, providing greater insight into this increasingly popular leisure trend.

“Cool” Party, Bro: The Fraternity Use of Party Structure as a Mechanism for Control over Female Status on Campus

ABSTRACT This conceptual article examines how existing institutionalized sexism constructed within fraternity party structure is used as a mechanism for categorizing women on college campuses. While these social gatherings provide an opportunity for interaction and new relationships, the environment is often constructed in a manner that reinforces traditional gender roles and increases the overall risk of sexual assaults. For some females, the attainment of status and social acceptance appears to be more important than the risk involved with attendance. The descriptive model presented focuses on the categories of relationships and the risk associated with assimilating into the fraternity party culture.

An Evaluation of Developmental Outcomes at a Free-Choice Oriented Girls Summer Camp

Research indicates that outdoor education environments are effective in facilitating positive developmental outcomes for participants; yet understanding of how outcomes are afforded remains elusive. Evidence-based evaluations of existing programs have the potential to provide insight into the process participants undergo in outdoor settings and to assess the outcomes that the environment yields for development. Free-choice has been shown to facilitate positive developmental outcomes for youth; unfortunately, todays youth have little exposure to environments in which they are free to explore, make decisions, and set goals for themselves. This manuscript is an evaluation of Brown Ledge Camp, a residential girls camp with a free-choice program philosophy. Interviews were conducted to evaluate the developmental outcomes campers gain at camp. Results indicate that outcomes are congruent with the outcomes identified in other outdoor environments (e.g., self-development and interpersonal skills) and the free-choice program is integral to the process.

The reemergence and revitalized focus of JLR

This issue is a momentous occasion for The Journal of Leisure Research (JLR) as several changes have occurred in our field in the past few years. Perhaps the most difficult and tangible situation we endured was the abrupt and lengthy interruption of the production of JLR, the oldest and once most-prestigious scholarly journal in the field of leisure studies. During the journal’s cessation, a spirited debate ensued regarding its future, and the long-held relationship with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) was tested. Though accompanied by tension for some and optimism for others, the challenges of change ultimately spurred growth and a stronger foundation. Positive outcomes from the recent unrest within the field include the inaugural conference of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS), the introduction of the TALS Research Institute, and an increase in the TALS membership base. Furthermore, this reintroduction of JLR is a testament to its resiliency and its status as an institution in the field of leisure studies. Coincidentally, and perhaps appropriately, this reboot of JLR falls during a symbolic year within the Jewish tradition—the number 18 (i.e., “Chai” in Hebrew) symbolizes life and luck. We propose that this first issue posthiatus represents the strength of and loyalty to JLR and a renewed life for its mission, vision, and direction. Thus, it is apropos that the topics in this issue address concepts of functioniong, personalilty, and satisfaction. Moreover, this issue relates to thoughts and ideas discussed, debated, and explored regarding how our academy and profession function and our satisfaction with change and evolution in our field. One might say, these articles, their authors, and the rest who will appear in coming issues this year have emerged triumphant, having held steadfast in the pipeline for over a year, riding the wave of uncertainty through the resolution and reemergence of the journal. More authors will join them as their manuscripts progress through the final stages of review and production. We thank them and our colleagues for supporting JLR and enduring this turbulent chapter in the journal’s tenure. In positioning ourselves and JLR for the future, the editorial board and the senior advisory group (i.e., Karla Henderson, Geof Godbey, Linda Caldwell, Ellen Weissinger) thoughtfully considered the journal’s history, the value it brings, and how it can evolve to stay relevant and more effectively meet the needs of our diverse field. We considered ways in which we can complement the outstanding work published by Leisure Sciences, Leisure Studies, Leisure/Loisir, Annals of Leisure Research, and other leisure journals. We discussed and devised a scope for the journal, how to reach new readers in related fields, and whether we could support work from rapidly developing countries such as those in Asia, the Pan-Pacific Rim, Central and South America, and Africa. We agreed that being inclusive of the diverse sectors we represent, including events, sport for development, community-based conservation, parks and recreation, sport tourism, leisure, disability/ability, state and national parks, and topics related to the academy, was an important value for JLR.