Investıgatıon of Socıal Appearance Anxıety and Eatıng Attıtudes in Physıcal Educatıon Teachers

Abstract

Background: The social appearance anxiety and eating attitudes are the main problems that concern people of all ages, professions and genders. It is estimated that physical education teachers, who in sight with their physical appearance, experience these concerns more intensely. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social appearance anxiety and eating attitudes in physical education teachers and to examine those properties with respect to certain demographic variables. Methods: A total of 286 physical education teachers, 98 female (X̅age = 35.65 ± 6.90) and 188 male (X̅age = 38.13 ± 8.87), working in public and private schools, participated in the study voluntarily. Data collection tools included a demographic information form along with the“Social Appearance Anxiety Scale” and “Eating Attitudes Test”. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that social appearance anxiety and eating attitudes did not differ according to the variables of gender and exercise regime. However, social appearance anxiety scores were found to differ according to socioeconomic status, with participants reporting higher income levels exhibiting greater appearance anxiety. A weak positive relationship was revealed between social appearance anxiety and body mass index. Conclusion: However, there was no significant relationship between social appearance anxiety and eating attitudes. Keywords: Social Appearence Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Physical Education Teachers