Abstract
Women athletes often navigate a complex interplay between performance demands and societal appearance ideals, which can influence their psychological well-being. This study investigates weight perceptions among women athletes, focusing on discrepancies between actual and ideal weights and in relation to well-being. Women athletes (N=170) aged 14 -39 (M=22.14, SD=4.88) from a range of sports were surveyed. Data was analyzed using correlations, independent t-tests, and regression analyses to examine relationships between weight discrepancy and well-being indicators. Results revealed that younger athletes experienced greater weight discrepancies (r= -0.343, p < .001) — these discrepancies were associated with lower levels of body appreciation (r=-0.451, p<.001), intuitive eating (r=-0.275, p=.007), and self-compassion (r=-0.300, p=.003). Separately, athletes who reported having an ideal weight had lower body appreciation (M=3.66 vs 4.15, p<.001, d=0.71), intuitive eating (M=3.35 vs 3.58, p<.001, d=0.49), and self-esteem (M=2.56 vs 2.96, p=.01, d=0.40) with higher self-criticism (M=5.38 vs. 4.76, p=.04, d=-0.32). This study highlights that holding an ideal weight might create barriers to reaching one’s potential and well-being in sport and that a shift away from weight ideals is needed in sport culture.
