ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Latin America, more than 80% of adolescent girls are physically inactive. Inactivity may be reinforced by female stereotypes and objectification in the Latin American sociocultural context. METHODS: We examined the influence of objectification on the adoption of an active lifestyle among 192 adolescents (14 and 17 years old) from urban and rural areas in Costa Rica. Analyses of 48 focus-groups sessions were grounded in Objectification Theory. RESULTS: Vigorous exercises were gender-typed as masculine while girls had to maintain an aesthetic appearance at all times. Adolescents described how girls were anxious around the prospect of being shamed and sexually objectified during exercises. This contributed to a decrease in girls' desire to engage in physical activities. Among males, there is also a budding tolerance of female participation in vigorous sports, as long as girls maintained a feminine stereotype outside their participation. CONCLUSION: Self-objectification influenced Costa Rican adolescent girls' decisions to participate in physical activities. Interventions may include: procuring safe environments for physical activity where girls are protected from fear of ridicule and objectification; sensitizing boys about girl objectification and fostering the adoption of a modern positive masculine and female identities to encourage girls' participation in sports.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Body Image/psychology , Exercise , Adolescent , Costa Rica , Cultural Characteristics , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Women's HealthABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To identify the influence of gender stereotypes on eating habits among Costa Rican adolescents. DESIGN: Qualitative, descriptive research was used in this study. SETTING: Adolescents and parents were recruited from socioeconomically diverse populations in rural and urban areas of San José, Costa Rica. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 92 adolescents (14 to 17 years old) and 48 parents. METHODS: Focus group data were transcribed and entered into the qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti version 5.0. Analyses were grounded on the social cognitive theory. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the focus group discussions: (1) Costa Rican adolescents associate the consumption of moderate quantities of healthy foods with femininity and male homosexuality. (2) The consumption of hearty portions of nonhealthy foods was associated with masculinity and male heterosexuality. (3) There is an emerging view that it is acceptable for heterosexual male adolescents to take care of their bodies through healthy eating. (4) Body care among female adolescents is an element of femininity and body image. (5) Parents reinforce their daughters' persistent concern with weight control because they perceive it as feminine behavior. CONCLUSION: Health promoters should be aware of the existing and changing food stereotypes around gender as an avenue for the promotion of healthy eating.