Wednesday 11-04-2018 - 14:25

Back in February, Harriet Bell told Campaings Coordinator Molly all about her body image campaign. Now she updates us on what's been happening and what she's found out.

 

What is my campaign? A summary:

The way people perceive their bodies can often stop them joining in sport as whole, certain sports in particular or reaching their full potential in a sport. This issue is often highlighted particularly in females, but has been shown to affect all genders. Studies have shown that increasing participation in sports and physical activity also increases positive self-esteem, body image and self-worth.

I chose this topic for my campaign as it is something that has affected my own participation in physical activity in the past, and I know many people who have express the same feelings.

I want to reach out to the people affected by this, offer support and solutions and ultimately get more people involved in sport and physical activities. There are a range of body types within sport — whilst some may be more suited to a certain sport than others, this should not be a reason to stop someone joining in. I believe that everyone should be able to do every sport that they chose. You never know, you might discover something which you want to keep pursuing! I want to signpost people to organisations and services that can help them if they are struggling with body image and self-esteem, in addition to promoting the physical and mental effects of sport.

 

My workshop:

I ran a workshop on 27 February, where I set out to discuss various topics central to my theme of body image in sport. The questions I asked were as follows:

1. Which sports make you feel the most confident?
2. Are there any sports that you avoid? Why?
3. How do you want to feel when you do sport?
4. How do you think sport/ physical activity could become more inclusive in terms of body image?

The responses were as follows:

1. Which sports make you feel the most confident?

• Strength and conditioning
• Mountaineering
• Active campus sports
• Hiking
• Ballroom and Latin dancing
• Quidditch!
• Pole vault
• Water polo

2. Are there any sports that you avoid? Why?

• Rugby
• Netball - it’s not fun
• Team sports - feel like everyone else on team is better
• Cheerleading and pole dancing - feel like my body is on display
• Dancing - think that people are watching and judging me
• Football - I hate it, so boring
• Hockey - can’t do it
• All sports!

3. How do you want to feel when you do sport?

• Happy
• Empowered
• Ready for anything
• Fit
• Enthusiastic
• Elated
• Powerful
• Like I am reaching personal targets
• Enthusiastic
• Energised
• Joyful
• Refreshed
• Excited
• Pressure-free
• Wanting to do more
• Like I am achieving goals
• Strong
• Healthy

4. How do you think sport/ physical activity could become more inclusive in terms of body image?

• More classes and events for beginners - feel like more of a team if everyone is on the same boat - get into sessions
• Women’s and men’s only sessions
• Document how people of all shapes and sizes get involved in sport of all kinds
• Share stories of overcoming body image issues in sport - including athletes!
• Diving - people judge based on 6 pack - make more inclusive by having crash course for all, have a friendly get into session

 

What am I doing next?

I would like run further workshops, and speak to more people about their experiences with body image in sport. Additionally, I would like to try and implement some of the changes which were suggested at my workshop - so keep your eyes peeled soon!