Making the cut: Investigating body image and well-being among female powerlifters

In weight-category sports, purposeful weight loss (PWL) is often undertaken preceding a competition to gain a performance advantage at a lower body weight. Researchers investigating PWL among powerlifters have identified associations to psychological outcomes. Yet investigations considering the psychological outcomes of PWL can be expanded to include (1) broader conceptualizations of psychological concepts and (2) greater nuance for the dynamics of PWL. Moving towards addressing these research gaps, the purpose of this study was to examine body image and well-being in female powerlifters during a period of PWL surrounding competition. Using a non-experimental longitudinal design, female powerlifters (N = 12; Mage = 29.42, SDage = 9.23 years) self-reported body weight, body image, and well-being at five timepoints over 10 weeks. Body image was measured using the Body Appreciation Scale-2 along with a single-item indicator of shape and weight satisfaction. Well-being was measured using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. At the time of official competition weigh-in, participants lost an average of 3.44 kg of body weight (SD = 1.14 kg). One pooled time series regression analysis was used per response variable (body appreciation/shape satisfaction/weight satisfaction/well-being) to test the temporal association with body weight. Body weight predicted weight satisfaction (B = 0.40, p < .001) and well-being (B = –0.19, p < .001). It can be concluded that during a nine-week period of PWL female powerlifters reported improvements in weight satisfaction and well-being. These findings help to understand psychological outcomes for gradual weight loss practices among female powerlifters when preparing to compete.