Body image Satisfaction and social Functioning among adult Gym Individuals: A Correlational Study

Satisfaction with one’s body can have a large impact on our overall health and well-being, both psychologically and socially, especially where one’s appearance is emphasized (such as in a gym). The objective of this research project was to examine the relationship between satisfaction with one’s body to one’s social functioning (as measured through the Body Image Questionnaire [BIQ] and the Social Functioning Questionnaire [SFQ] among adult gym members in Chennai, India. Participants for the study (N =200-250) were selected using purposeful sampling and were 18 years of age or older. The research sought to establish a level of body image satisfaction, levels of social functioning, and assess gender differences and predictive relationships between body image and social functioning of individuals within a gym environment. Given the increasing prevalence of the gym culture in India and higher appearance-based demands on individuals, it will be of particular importance to have a greater understanding of the relationship between body image and social functioning for both clinical psychology and mental health interventions, as well as fitness and wellness programming initiatives.