Correlates of satisfaction with body function and body appearance in middle- and older aged adults: The Activity Counseling Trial (ACT)

This study examined the dimensional structure and correlates of body satisf action among middle-aged and older adult men (n = 471) and women (n = 383) who were participants in the Activity Counseling Trial. Correlates were gro uped as (1) fitness parameters, (2) demographic characteristics, and (3) co mponents of subjective well-being. Factor analyses demonstrated that body f unction and body appearance were independent components of satisfaction in this population. Body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness were direct ly related to satisfaction with body appearance; however, satisfaction with body function was most strongly related in expected directions to measures of subjective well-being. Age was positively related to both measures of b ody satisfaction, whereas data on race revealed that blacks were more satis fied with their body appearance and function than whites. The observed rela tionships for body satisfaction suggest that older adults may value body fu nction more than body appearance. Furthermore, the associations of race and age with body satisfaction have important implications for intervention re search.