Résumé
Body image is salient in physical activity contexts because they can provide opportunities for positive embodied experiences as well as social comparisons and concerns about body surveillance, for example. Body image perceptions are informed by social and cultural contexts; however, much of the physical activity research surrounding the body is focused on young, White people with Western cultural origins. The purpose of this study was to understand experiences with physical activity and body image among older adult Vietnamese women living in Canada. We examined the role Vietnamese cultural discourses, age, and gender in the relationship participants had with physical activity and their bodies. Four women (age 56-83) were interviewed in English and/or Vietnamese. Using semantic translation and reflexive thematic analysis 4 main themes were identified: (a) social pressures and internalized expectations to be small, (b) focusing on physical function to cope with negative feelings about appearance, (c) expectations to prioritize caring for others, and (d) the feeling of being judged is hard to resist. These results were interpreted in light of how social comparison, generational differences, language surrounding thin and youthful cultural ideals and dress, cultural discourses surrounding weight and health, ageism, tensions between gender roles and expectations to take care of oneself and attend to appearance, and internalization and self-reinforcement created challenges for experiencing positive body image and engaging in physical activity.
