Eva-Carin Lindgren

Social physique anxiety and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance impact on orthorexia test in fitness participants

This study investigates how scores on the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) relate to Bratmans orthorexia test (BOT) scores with regard to age, sex, and self‐reported exercise frequency and duration in a sample of Swedish participants in fitness center activities. A total of 251 participants (166 women and 85 men) completed the SPAS, the SATAQ, and a questionnaire focusing on exercise frequency and duration. The results indicated that the SATAQ subdomain internalization could itself explain the variation in BOT results. In women, the results indicated that exercise frequency, followed by SPAS score and the SATAQ subdomains internalization and awareness, could together explain the variation in BOT results. Fitness centers could make a point of emphasizing that some physical ideals are neither healthy nor realistic, thus strengthening member self‐image and preventing social physique anxiety, eating disorders, and negative attitudes toward appearance.

Orthorexia nervosa: An integrative literature review of a lifestyle syndrome

Bratman first proposed orthorexia nervosa in the late 1990s, defining it an obsession with eating healthy food to achieve, for instance, improved health. Today, in the Swedish media, excessive exercising plays a central role in relation to orthorexia. A few review articles on orthorexia have been conducted; however, these have not focused on aspects of food and eating, sport, exercise, or a societal perspective. The overall aim of this study was to provide an overview and synthesis of what philosophies of science approaches form the current academic framework of orthorexia. Key questions were: What aspects of food and eating are related to orthorexia? What role do exercise and sports play in relation to orthorexia? In what ways are orthorexia contextualized? Consequently, the concept of healthism was used to discuss and contextualize orthorexia. The method used was an integrative literature review; the material covered 19 empirical and theoretical articles published in peer-reviewed journals. This review demonstrates a multifaceted nature of orthorexia research; this field has been examined from four different philosophies of science approaches (i.e., empirical-atomistic, empirical-atomistic with elements of empirical-holistic, empirical-holistic, and rational-holistic) on individual, social, and societal levels. The majority of the articles followed an empirical-atomistic approach that focused on orthorexia as an individual issue, which was discussed using healthism. Our analysis indicates a need for (a) more empirical-holistic research that applies interpretive qualitative methods and uses a social perspective of health, e.g., healthism and (b) examining the role of sports and exercise in relation to orthorexia that takes the problematizing of “orthorexic behaviours” within the sports context into account.

Impact of a six-month empowerment-based exercise intervention programme in non-physically active adolescent Swedish girls

Objective: This study evaluated changes in self-efficacy in non-physically active adolescent girls (13–19 years old) who participated in a six-month, empowerment-based exercise intervention programme (EIP). Design: The study used a pre- and post-test randomized group design and included one pre- and one post-test (at six months) and non-physically active adolescent girls (N = 110) were assigned to an intervention group (n = 54) or a comparison group (n = 56). Setting: Two upper secondary schools and five secondary schools, located in the low socio-economic areas of two communities in southern Sweden were involved in the study. Method: The Swedish version of a 10-item General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Social Barriers to Exercise Self-efficacy Questionnaire (SPBESQ) were used. In addition, BMI and results from a physical fitness test were measured. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs signed-rank test were used. Results: Analysis showed a statistically significant difference in GSES scores (p = 0.037) between the groups after the EIP was implemented. Girls in the intervention group had increased their levels of general perceived self-efficacy (p = 0.004). Both groups increased their level of physical fitness (intervention, p = 0.06 and control, p = 0.013). BMI increased in the control group (p = 0.031). Conclusions: The EIP had an impact on adolescent girls’ general perceived self-efficacy and can be regarded as an outcome of empowerment that indicates the development of the adolescent girls’ ability to effectively deal with a variety of stressful situations in general.

In the shadow of the welfare society ill-health and symptoms, psychological exposure and lifestyle habits among social security recipients: a national survey study

BackgroundIn Sweden social security is a means-tested financial allowance. The Social Services Act states that an individual is entitled to financial support when his/her needs are not met in any other way. The aim of the present study was to analyse the prevalence and impact of various illness factors and symptoms in social security recipients compared to non-recipients in a welfare state, in this case Sweden.MethodsA simple random sample of 20 100 individuals was selected from a national survey that covered all individuals in the 18–84 year age group in Sweden. A postal survey was thereafter conducted. Multiple logistic regression was employed as a statistical test. Odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used.ResultsSocial security recipients were found to have a significantly higher risk in most of the studied variables. Reduced psychological wellbeing measured by means of the GHQ12 was significantly higher in this group compared to the rest of the population (OR 1.41 CI 1.03–1.94) and their lack of trust was greater (OR 1.96, CI 1.45–2.66). They reported more sleep disturbances (OR 2.16, CI 1.58–2.94) and suffered from anxiety (OR 1.74, CI 1.28–2.36). Their dental health was worse (OR 2.44, CI 1.82–3.28) and they had more pain in their hands and legs (OR 1.57, CI 1.16–2.12). Social security recipients were more often humiliated (OR 1.79, CI 1.31–2.44) and exposed to threat (OR 1.69, CI 1.09–2.61). They were less physically active (OR 1.56, CI 1.17–2.08), had a poorer diet (OR 1.95, CI 1.45–2.63) and were more often smokers (OR 3.20, CI 2.37–4.33).ImplicationThe challenge for the welfare state consists of recognising the significance of both structural and lifestyle factors as a means of reducing the health gap.

“If it’s not Iron it’s Iron f*cking biggest Ironman”: personal trainers’ views on health norms, orthorexia and deviant behaviours

ABSTRACT Orthorexia nervosa (ON) describes a pathological obsession with healthy eating to avoid ill health. In the Swedish context, ON is also understood in terms of unhealthy exercise. Fitness gyms are popular health-promoting places, but exercise-related problems, disordered eating and ON-like behaviour are increasing. Personal trainers (PTs) play an important role in detecting unhealthy behaviours. The aim of the present study was to illuminate PTs’ understandings of healthy and unhealthy exercise and eating behaviours in relation to orthorexia nervosa in a fitness gym context. Five focus groups with 14 PTs were conducted. These were analysed using interpretative qualitative content analysis and Becker’s model “Kinds of Deviance.” In contrast to PTs’ health norms (practicing balanced behaviours and contributing to well-being), ON was expressed mainly in terms of exercise behaviour and as being excessive and in total control. The PTs maintain that extreme behaviours are legitimized by an aggressive exercise trend in society and that they fear to falsely accuse clients of being pathological. Certain sport contexts (bodybuilding, fitness competitions and elite sports) and specific groups (fitness professionals) contribute to complicating PTs’ negotiations due to a competition, performance and/or profession norm, making it difficult to determine whether or not to intervene.

Shifting, crossing and transforming gender boundaries in physical cultures

At the 2013 conference “Gender in Physical Culture” of the ‘Transnational Working Group for the Study of Gender and Sport’, held at the University of Gothenburg, a number of presentations related to how individuals, groups of individuals and organizations challenge and change dominant gender discourses and practices. Several of these presentations have come to form this volume on ‘Gender in Physical Culture: Crossing Boundaries – Reconstituting Cultures’. To begin the volume, the following article outlines how the seven contributions are connected. We present Lamont and Molnàr’s (2002) idea of ‘boundaries’, which they consider as visible and invisible socially constructed borders that create social differences. Such boundaries are, however, malleable. We propose that this flexibility means that ‘gender boundaries in physical cultures’ can be shifted, crossed and transformed. The case studies included in this edition present concrete examples of how this is possible.

Empowering young female athletes through a self-strengthening programme : A qualitative analysis

The aim of this study was to describe how young female athletes perceived the influences of a self-strengthening programme. The self-strengthening programme for young female athletes was run by the Swedish Sport Confederation. The programme was designed to empower young female athletes. The study methodology was based on a phenomenographic approach and entailed interviews with a strategically selected group of 14 participants in the programme. The informants were between 13 and 20 years of age and came from individual and team sports. The findings show that perceived influences of the programme were: a feeling of self-confidence; a feeling of being seen and confirmed; awareness of women’s issues; a feeling of belongingness; and an improvement in coaching skills. The self-strengthening programme empowered young female athletes due to increased self-efficacy and an increased awareness of women’s issues.

Multiple Balances in Workplace Dialogue: Experiences of an Intervention in Health Care.

Purpose – This paper aims to illuminate and analyse the participants’ experiences of the influences of a dialogue intervention. Cooperation and coordination in health care require planning of dialogically oriented communication to prevent stress and ill health and to promote health, well-being, learning and efficiency in the organisation. Design/methodology/approach – An intervention method based on dialogue theory, with Socratic provocations and concrete workplace examples enhanced authenticity of conversations. A qualitative study, using qualitative content analysis, entailed interviews with 24 nurses, assistant nurses and paramedics, strategically selected from 156 intervention participants. Findings – Two themes emerged, dialogue-learning processes and dialogue-promoting communicative actions. The first includes risk-taking to overcome resistance and fear of dialogue, expressing openly thoughts and feelings on concrete issues and taboo subjects, listening to and reflecting on one’s own and others’ per...

Caring as an important foundation in coaching for social sustainability: a case study of a successful Swedish coach inhigh-performance sport

The aim of this study is to describe and analyze the experiences and strategies of one successful coach in high-performance sports. Through case study methodology we have studied Bengt Johansson, one of the most successful coaches in Sweden ever. From the perspective of social sustainability, caring seems to have constituted an important basis for coaching the Swedish national team in handball during Bengt Johansson′s years as head coach. Caring in this sense means to respect the players, value them, involve them, have dialogue with them, listen to them and support them as human beings. Johansson has demonstrated how competitiveness, dedication and hard work coexist alongside compassion, empathy, participation and caring.

What undermines healthy habits with regard to physical activity and food? Voices of adolescents in a disadvantaged community

ABSTRACT This study aimed to illuminate factors that undermine the healthy habits of adolescents from a multicultural community with low socioeconomic status (S.E.S.) in Sweden with regard to physical activity (P.A.) and food, as stated in their own voices. Adolescents (n = 53, 12–13 y/o) were recruited from one school situated in a multicultural community characterized by low S.E.S. Embracing an interpretive approach, 10 focus-group interviews were conducted to produce data for the study. The focus-group interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in two major themes: (1) the availability of temptations is large, and support from the surroundings is limited; and (2) norms and demands set the agenda. The adolescents’ voices illuminate a profound awareness and the magnitude of tempting screen-based activities as undermining their P.A. and healthy food habits. Moreover, several gender boundaries were highlighted as undermining girls’ P.A. and healthy food habits. The adolescents’ stories illuminated that it is difficult for them, within their environment, to establish healthy habits with regard to P.A. and food. To facilitate the adolescents’ healthy habits, we suggest that support from family, friends, the school, and society at large is essential.