Adolescents' Experiences with Gender, Sport, and Diet
Author Information
Author(s): Deslippe Alysha L., Middleton Georgia, Wu Olivia Y., Bergeron Coralie, Cohen Tamara R.
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
How do adolescents navigate the intersections of their gender, sport, and dietary identities in high school?
Conclusion
Adolescents recognize the ties between their athletic identities and dietary habits, which are influenced by gender norms.
Supporting Evidence
- Adolescents expressed that dietary habits are influenced by their perceptions of masculinity and femininity.
- All adolescents, regardless of gender, reported pressures to conform to idealized body shapes.
- Participants highlighted the importance of protein in their diets as part of their athletic identity.
Takeaway
This study talks about how teens think about food and sports based on whether they feel more like a boy or a girl, and how that affects what they eat.
Methodology
The study used an interpretative phenomenological approach, conducting 33 interviews with adolescents to explore their experiences.
Limitations
The sample was relatively homogenous in terms of socio-economic status, geography, and ethnicity, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 18 athletes (9 girls, 9 boys) and 15 non-athletes (4 non-binary, 5 girls, 6 boys) from a suburban high school.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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