This Girl Can is a campaign designed to empower women to increase physical activity. The campaign uses images/videos of women of diverse body weights/shapes, ages and ethnicities being physically active, emphasizing body functionality. First, we examined the effects of multi-session (N = 3) exposures to This Girl Can on body functionality, body appreciation and self-compassion (Study 1). Second, we explored if autonomous motivation for physical activity mediated effects of This Girl Can on physical activity (Study 2). Women (Study 1: N = 186, M (SD) age = 27.55 (14.01); Study 2: N = 153, M (SD) age = 28.31 (11.70)) were randomized to This Girl Can, or control videos/images depicting idealized women of thin/athletic body types being physically active (Study 1), or control videos highlighting physical activity benefits (Study 2). Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-test and 1-week follow-up. Study 1 results showed significant group by time interactions for body functionality (decreasing in the control group), body appreciation and self-compassion (both increased only in the experimental conditions). In Study 2, path analysis revealed no statistically significant mediation effect (ab = 13.18, 95 % CI [−107.92, 152.59]) of autonomous motivation. Future interventions designed to promote positive body image and self-compassion should incorporate media focusing on diverse women engaging in self-chosen physical activity.

这个 Girl Can 是一项旨在赋予女性增加身体活动能力的运动。该活动使用不同体重/体型、年龄和种族的女性的图像/视频进行体育锻炼，强调身体功能。首先，我们检查了多次（N = 3）接触 This Girl Can 对身体功能、身体欣赏和自我同情的影响（研究 1）。其次，我们探讨了身体活动的自主动机是否介导了 This Girl Can 对身体活动的影响（研究 2）。女性（研究 1：N  = 186，M（SD）年龄 = 27.55（14.01）；研究 2：N  = 153，M（SD ）) 年龄 = 28.31 (11.70)) 被随机分配到 This Girl Can，或控制视频/图像，描述理想化的瘦/运动体型女性正在锻炼身体（研究 1），或控制视频突出身体活动的好处（研究 2）。在基线、测试后和 1 周随访时测量结果。研究 1 结果显示，身体功能（对照组减少）、身体欣赏和自我同情（仅在实验条件下均增加）具有显着的组间相互作用。在研究 2 中，路径分析显示没有统计学上显着的中介效应（ab= 13.18, 95 % CI [-107.92, 152.59]) 的自主动机。未来旨在促进积极的身体形象和自我同情的干预措施应纳入关注参与自我选择的体育活动的不同女性的媒体。