BodySense

The 10 BodySense Basics: Promoting Positive Body Image and Preventing Disordered Eating in Sport

This model describes 10 ways that a sport environment (a team or club) or a school can make a commitment to promoting positive self esteem and body image in its male and female athletes in order to promote positive body image which will encourage strong self esteem, respect, healthy coping skills and informed choices.

When the 10 BodySense Basics are present in an athlete's sport environment and ideally, in the home and school environments, as well), they can learn to take a positive approach to food, exercise, and sport, and value themselves as both a person and an athlete. Athletes can build healthy coping skills, solve problems, and express and assert themselves in clear ways. Above all, athletes can learn to appreciate the unique qualities that make them who they are, and love their bodies for their natural size and shape.

The BodySense Basics include ten ways parents and leaders can foster a sport environment that promotes positive body image

Look at our own beliefs

Examine our own attitudes and beliefs about food, exercise, weight, and shape.
Learn more

Get the facts

Seek up-to-date, accurate information about body health, food, and self-esteem for parents, coaches and athletes.
Learn more

Respect natural body size

Treat each athlete as an individual with a unique body size, shape, and weight.
Learn more

Model a positive approach to food

Listen to our bodies. Eat for enjoyment and satisfaction and resist pressures to diet or change our natural body size.
Learn more

Practice True Sport

Participate in sport and physical activity for fun, challenge, and a love of movement while respecting the abilities and limitations of our bodies.
Learn more

Promote positive self esteem

Help athletes to feel good about themselves, and to develop a positive concept of who they are.
Learn more

Invite assertion

Encourage athletes to be assertive about expressing values, feelings, and needs.
Learn more

Model coping in healthy ways

Teach athletes stress management, coping, problem-solving skills, and assertiveness in order to promote dealing with challenges in positive ways.
Learn more

Role model

Understand that who we are, what we say, and what we do, impacts athletes who look to us as examples.
Learn more

Inspire balance

Encourage athletes to be assertive about expressing values, feelings, and needs.
Learn more

The following people have contributed to this model and educational content:

Edwards, Peggy (1993). Self Esteem, Sport and Physical Activity. , Vol 1 (1). Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.

Mack, Heidi (1996). Training Manual for the Prevention of Disordered Eating. Ananda Resources unpublished manual.

Thompson, Ron A., & Trattner Sherman, Roberta (1999). Athletes, Athletic Performance, and Eating Disorders: Healthier Alternatives. Journal of Social Issues. Vol. 55 (2).

Eating Disorders in Sport: Practical Tips and Strategies. Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.