'Strong Is the New Skinny': Navigating Fitness Hype among Teenagers in Northern Sweden

Autor/inn/en	Wiklund, Emelie; Jonsson, Emma; Coe, Anna-Britt; Wiklund, Maria
Titel	'Strong Is the New Skinny': Navigating Fitness Hype among Teenagers in Northern Sweden
Quelle	In: Sport, Education and Society, 24 (2019) 5, S.441-454 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Wiklund, Emelie) ORCID (Jonsson, Emma) ORCID (Coe, Anna-Britt) ORCID (Wiklund, Maria)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1357-3322
DOI	10.1080/13573322.2017.1402758
Schlagwörter	Physical Activities; Physical Fitness; High School Students; Exercise; Health; Eating Habits; Student Attitudes; Foreign Countries; Human Body; Self Concept; Content Analysis; Safety; Social Status; Interpersonal Attraction; Life Satisfaction; Social Media; Standards; Gender Differences; Peer Relationship; Team Sports; Athletic Coaches; Social Problems; Sweden + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Leistungsfähigkeit; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Übung; Gesundheit; Ernährungsgewohnheit; Essgewohnheit; Schülerverhalten; Ausland; Menschlicher Körper; Selbstkonzept; Inhaltsanalyse; Sicherheit; Sozialer Status; Interpersonale Anziehung; Lebensvollendung; Soziale Medien; Standard; Geschlechterkonflikt; Peer-Beziehungen; Mannschaftssport; Social problem; Soziales Problem; Schweden
Abstract	An increased interest in health, diet, and physical activity exist among young people, in this study termed 'fitness hype'. Viewing the body and health as commodities can be understood as part of a healthism discourse. In this study, we explored how Swedish high school students perceive and negotiate the trend regarding exercise, diet and body ideals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten high school students, aged 16-18 years, from various educational programs and with varying levels of physical activity. Using qualitative content analysis, we developed one overarching theme "navigating life satisfaction in the face of an 'unhealthy fitness hype'". Four additional, interrelated categories showed how the young people negotiated this developing trend through: (1) the quest for social recognition and value, (2) social media sets the standards, (3) the paradox of strong and skinny as the new standard, and (4) the need for new safety nets. Our results highlight the young people's perceptions of an excessive and influential focus on health and exercise in contemporary society. They described a fitness hype as exorbitant and unhealthy ideals of body and exercise, and understood this as problematic. Social media was seen as contributing to this hype as a powerful arena for 'the quest for social recognition and value'. While not all the young people felt negatively affected by the fitness hype, they perceived its influence on their lives. Further, body and fitness ideals were gendered. Teenage girls faced the paradox of shaping themselves as 'strong "and" skinny'. Social ties were recognized as an important safety net, particularly classmates, sports mates, and coaches. Knowledge of these problems from the perspective of young people is crucially needed among health professionals and educators. Further research should explore additional support strategies, and young people's experiences of fitness hype among additional youth groups. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01