Skip to main content
Log in

The Importance of Perceived Body-Inclusiveness among Physically Active Women in Larger Bodies

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the many benefits of physical activity, women participate less frequently than men do, and this is particularly the case among women in larger bodies. The purpose of the present study was to examine one factor that might influence this pattern: the presence of perceived body-inclusive physical activity spaces. The authors collected data from 253 U.S. women, all of whom were active in some form of physical activity over the past year. Results show that as perceived body-inclusiveness increased, so too did women’s identification with the physical activity. Further analyses showed the relationship was significant among women who were in larger bodies, but not for women who were average weight. The authors discuss implications for the delivery and management of physical activity programming.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Acknowledgements

Cunningham is with the Center for Sport Management Research and Education; Department of Health and Kinesiology; Texas A&M University; gbcunningham@tamu.edu. Pickett is with the Division of Kinesiology and Sport Management; University of South Dakota; Drew.Pickett@usd.edu.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George B. Cunningham.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest.

Informed Consent if the Research Involved Human Participants

Reviewed and approved by Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board.

Statement on Welfare of Animals if the Research Involved Animals

N/A

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cunningham, G.B., Pickett, A.C. The Importance of Perceived Body-Inclusiveness among Physically Active Women in Larger Bodies. Sex Roles 83, 754–762 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01139-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01139-9

Keywords

Navigation