IDS 402 7-1 Final Project Physical Fitness
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7-1 Final Project: Physical Fitness
Southern New Hampshire University
IDS-400 Wellness
February 25, 2024
Physical Fitness and Wellness
The topic I will be discussing is physical fitness and its role in promoting wellness in our society today. Unfortunately, due to the convenience of unhealthy eating habits, we are seeing an increase in illnesses that require medication. However, physical fitness can be an effective solution to prevent or improve our health and achieve overall wellness. While the popularity of physical fitness has grown in recent times, its practice dates back thousands of years. Early accounts and recordings of organized exercise can be traced back as far as 2500 BC in China, where physical fitness was recognized as a formal means of promoting health. Throughout history, many educational methods have been developed to improve physical fitness. For example, in ancient Greece, a physician emphasized the importance of physical fitness to overall health, and physical activity was an integral part of education at the Gymnasium. This led to the development of athletes and a shift towards the modern perception of physical fitness, which emphasizes the shape and size of the body.
Historically, physical fitness dates back thousands of years, to a time when people didn’t even refer to it as physical fitness. Today we have various methods and multiple equipment options as well as locations such as gyms, we also have options such as remote video training as well as digital training that can teach us techniques to get physically active. All of these methods of training are tools that we can use to help us with various fitness exercises. Looking back hundreds of years, these modern conveniences that we have today were nonexistent. According to History of Physical Fitness (2023), Centuries ago, there was no gym, or exercise equipment, and people were in better physical shape than we are today (p.2). We have come a long way in making fitness easier, but yet we continue to lack physical fitness and continue to see an increase
in health-related issues that affect our well-being.
Through the humanities lens, physical fitness is more identifiable to the younger generation. The easy access to fitness content that is made available on social media, websites, and magazines has made physical fitness more popular and in a lot of ways more influential to younger people. From a scientific perspective, researchers around the world have been able to conduct various statistical studies to understand the benefits of physical fitness to our health and well-
being. The work of researchers on physical fitness is also used by pharmaceutical scientists who develop various health supplements that can be consumed for various physical fitness activities, such as synthetic energy and muscle-building supplements. Some research studies have specific criteria, such as race, age, sex, health conditions, and demographics to allow for more precise findings but with any research study, there are always challenges and questions, such as the number of participants and how honest each participant was when the study was conducted.
Looking at physical fitness from a social science lens, physical fitness is viewed as a way
for an individual to feel more confident, attractive, and healthy. Physical exercise plays a big role
in an individual's physical appearance and is a factor in their popularity and social life. In society
today, we make our impressions of individuals and perhaps subconsciously we tend to assume their physical fitness or lack thereof, just by the person's physical appearance or health conditions.
In today's society, physical fitness has become an integral part of our lives, especially with the advancements in communication technology. We come across numerous online advertisements promoting body-shaping exercises and diets to enhance our physical appearance. Some of these advertisements are specifically designed to target a particular gender. Additionally,
social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with their vast subscriber base, promote
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physical fitness through various posts and promotions. These platforms target individuals based on their interests in physical fitness, allowing them to promote their agendas about trainers, exercise methods, and other tools to help people achieve their fitness goals. All of these contribute to shaping how physical fitness and self-image are perceived in today's society.
Over time, physical fitness has evolved and its influence on society has become increasingly apparent. According to Goodyear and Wood (2021), social media interventions can have a positive impact on physical activity and diet-related behaviors, resulting in increased physical activity levels, healthy food choices, and improvements in body composition or weight. The societal message regarding physical fitness is often centered around body ideals, perpetuated
by various social media platforms. This message can lead to individuals being categorized based on their level of physical fitness, with assumptions made about their overall well-being and physical health. It's important to note that physical fitness affects people differently and is not gender specific. Men may focus on bodybuilding and increasing muscle mass, while women may
focus on achieving a slim waist, smaller dress size, or specific body shape.
In today's world, physical fitness and wellness are viewed from various interdisciplinary perspectives, including sociology and physiology. However, I strongly believe that examining it through the psychological lens provides the most accurate description of physical fitness in our society. Individuals must understand that physical fitness is not solely based on appearance. Unfortunately, social media has distorted this message, leading to negative downstream effects such as an increase in depression, low self-esteem, and anti-social behavior. While the sociological and physiological lenses are significant, I ultimately chose the psychological lens due to its ability to provide better insight into physical fitness and wellness, especially in a society where appearance is often prioritized over overall health.
In modern society, wellness should not be solely defined by physical fitness. Unfortunately, social media platforms often associate physical fitness with body image, which can negatively impact individuals' self-esteem and steer them away from true wellness. This can be a dangerous path, often requiring psychological interventions for treatment and education.
Critical Analysis
Nowadays, keeping in good physical shape has become an essential aspect of our societal
interactions. Individuals from all walks of life are engaging in various fitness pursuits, although their objectives may vary. For instance, seniors may prioritize enhancing their physical well-
being, while younger folks may employ fitness as a means of altering their appearance and fitting
in with a particular social circle. Many factors attributed to society's views on physical appearance, social media in particular derailed physical fitness for wellness to physical fitness for appearances for younger people. “The rise of the fitness movement and the subsequent glorification of the body are embedded in a series of major sociocultural changes”( Volkwein-
Caplan, 2014). Looking back at history, physical fitness was crucial for survival in primal times. People had to maintain a healthy balance and physique to run for cover if needed. According to an article by Get Action, the author explains that from the dawn of humankind until around 10,000 BC, men had a constant voice in the back of their heads saying, “Run for your life!” Physical development followed a natural path that was determined by the practical demands of life in a wild landscape as well as the vital need to avoid threats and seize opportunities for survival (MovNat Founder, 2023).
Wellness is subjective and varies according to different factors such as age, gender, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds. “Studies have shown that prioritizing body positivity and self-
empathy can result in improved psychological and physical health” (McCallum, 2021). These factors can lead to either a positive or negative interpretation of the term. For example, an elderly
person would consider wellness as their overall health, while a young person who is influenced by social media might view wellness solely based on their appearance and social life. The influence of wellness extends beyond just physical health which has an impact on cultural expressions as well. For instance, meditation was once solely a religious practice, but in today’s modern culture, we see an increasing number of people who are adopting meditative practices to promote mental and physical healing and overall wellness. Our fitness health and overall wellness can affect our interactions with others and even influence our decisions when it comes to activities like sports betting, For example, an individual
might be inclined to favor the team with the most physically fit athletes. Changing this mentality can be challenging but there is a lot that we can do to inform people about physical fitness and its
wellness benefits. Educating on the various aspects of physical fitness can help with changing the mentality of individuals, especially the younger generation. By having an understanding and creating achievable goals, people would be more likely to get more physically active and achieve
wellness.
Physical fitness is a topic that is influenced by several factors, each of which plays a vital role in determining our approach toward it. These factors have a direct impact on physical fitness, specifically bias, which is one of the most significant factors that directly impact our understanding of the term. Our personal biases can affect our research and lead it in a different direction, limiting its scope and hampering our ability to understand the topic fully. My approach
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to this topic has, in some way, been influenced by my own bias, for instance, my assumptions about physical fitness, like associating it only with being in shape or at an ideal weight, can limit my understanding of physical fitness. Similarly, believing that physical fitness only relates to vigorous exercises and weight training can narrow down my perception of the term. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of our biases and try to overcome them to have a more inclusive approach to physical fitness.
Social media presents a significant challenge that affects society's approach to physical fitness. Advertisements often depict the "ideal" body as slim, toned, or muscular, leading people to believe that physical fitness is solely based on appearance. However, physical fitness is more than just body type, and not all slim or muscular individuals are physically fit. Underlying health conditions or synthetic supplements can significantly impact an individual's health, despite their appearance. Unfortunately, social media's portrayal of physical fitness can influence society's views, and the ideal body image is constantly changing. It's important to recognize that these trends are influenced by the media and fitness industry. As individuals, we need to evaluate and understand these trends from a broader perspective, rather than being easily manipulated to follow the latest fad.
Cultural factors also play a vital role in people’s engagement with physical fitness and can create obstacles and barriers that affect people’s engagement in physical activities. “Cultural factors influence behavior and attitudes towards physical activity. Therefore, identifying the cultural factors is a key requirement for planning specific measures to enhance physical activity” (Matthew Joseph et al., 2018). One example of these factors is Cultural food practices, which don’t always align with what medical professionals and dieticians consider healthy; this cultural factor can also be counterproductive to physical fitness. In some cultures, having a larger body is
ideal, and this can influence attitudes toward physical fitness, “some of the differences in attitudes toward larger body sizes across ethnocultural groups have been theorized to be rooted in
differences in beauty ideals and perception of weight, with certain populations having positive perceptions of larger body sizes” (Towsend et al., 2014). Understanding these cultural factors is crucial in planning specific measures to enhance physical activity.
It is crucial to educate individuals on physical fitness to break stigmas and change perceptions. However, this can be challenging in today's world of social media, where people rely heavily on these platforms for information. The media's influence has hindered our ability to
fully comprehend physical fitness, and false advertisements have become increasingly prevalent, impacting societal values, and shaping opinions on critical issues. Unfortunately, people often trust social media for news and health topics, despite the information being inaccurate. Even if individuals suspect misinformation, they may still abide by what they're told rather than seeking reliable resources. Olan et al. (2022) confirm that false advertisements on social media "are increasingly affecting societal values, changing opinions on critical issues and topics, as well as redefining facts, truths, and beliefs." This statement highlights that social media is the most significant hindrance to understanding physical fitness. We must recognize the various benefits physical fitness offers, not just for our physical health but also for our mental well-being. By becoming more active individuals, we can achieve overall
wellness and lead longer, healthier lives.
Reflection
As someone who works in the healthcare field, I have always considered physical fitness a part of wellness. However, my perception of physical fitness was limited to common problems
like high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes that we often hear about from medical professionals, who often tell us that physical fitness is an essential component of wellness; this indicates “evidence that healthcare professionals exhibit the same levels of implicit bias as the wider population” (FitzGerald & Hurst, 2017). I thought of physical fitness only in terms of vigorous exercises and body shaping. However, as I began to research and examine physical fitness more closely, I discovered that it is a multidimensional concept with many more aspects than I previously thought. My perception of physical fitness was biased due to the lack of information, advertisements about physical fitness, social media, and what I was taught in school about physical fitness and its relation to health. These factors narrowed my mind when it came to thinking about physical fitness. I used to associate a fit individual and specific body types with physical fitness and thought of them as physically and mentally healthy. However, after acknowledging my bias and doing more research, I began to understand other viewpoints and the
vital role physical fitness has in wellness. Before taking this wellness course, I thought of wellness as just mental and physical health. However, through this course, I have come to realize that it is a multifaceted concept that encompasses many components related to overall well-being and health. Achieving wellness requires acknowledging physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as one’s spirituality and economic wellness, social distancing, and isolation that can affect one's wellness balance. These factors can be stressors that can impact one's mental wellness and lead to physical issues. “Wellness is a full integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is a complex interaction that leads to quality of life” (GRCC, 2023).
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I now believe that a deeper understanding of wellness provides a foundation for evaluating issues from multiple perspectives and recognizing their connections with wellness. For example, when evaluating an individual's depressive condition, consider the physical, economic, and social circumstances that might cause their depression, in addition to their mental health. Another educational lens used with wellness topics demonstrates the diversity of the subject, but to fully understand the extent of issues related to physical fitness and wellness, I need to explore them through different lenses. By using various lenses, I can avoid biases and get
a more accurate understanding of the subject. Wellness is a complex topic that can be perceived differently by different cultures, religions, and individuals. For example, some people use meditation to achieve overall wellness and happiness, while others use it to cope with stress. To understand the different perspectives on
wellness, we need to consider cultural and religious beliefs, as well as individual upbringing. By only using one of the other general education lenses, I would have limited my research to a specific group, but I now understand that it's essential to recognize that wellness is not just about nutrition, exercise, physical or mental well-being. It includes other factors that must be considered to achieve a balance. Cross-cultural comparisons of wellness should be approached with caution because people from different cultural groups may respond to items in different ways. “the validity of such scales depends on the assumption that people from different cultural groups respond to the items in the same way” (Brailovskaia et al., 2021). As a healthcare professional, I initially believed myself to be well-versed in matters of physical fitness and overall well-being. However, upon further exploration of this field, I came to
the realization that my comprehension was somewhat limited. In order to ensure an impartial approach to my research, it is imperative that I engage with individuals of diverse backgrounds,
viewpoints, and cultures. This will allow me to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between physical fitness and overall wellness.
Conclusion
To summarize, physical fitness is a multifaceted subject that is influenced by a range of factors, including cultural practices, social media, and personal biases. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial in promoting an inclusive and accurate perception of physical fitness. By delving deeper into the principles of wellness and physical fitness, we can gain valuable insights into psychology and how it applies to our daily lives. Sharing this knowledge can enhance overall health and well-being. Therefore, recognizing our biases, conducting research, and having a comprehensive understanding of wellness is essential to achieving optimal health. By exploring physical fitness and wellness through different perspectives, we can avoid biases and gain a more accurate understanding of the subject. It's important to acknowledge that wellness is a complex topic that requires consideration of multiple
factors. Interacting with individuals from diverse cultures and viewpoints can broaden our understanding of wellness. I found this topic fascinating, and I have been implementing what I learned from my research into my personal life. I strongly believe that it's crucial to learn more about wellness and how we can attain it. Once we have a thorough understanding, it's our responsibility to share our knowledge with others.
References
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Goodyear, V., Wood, G. (2021). The effect of social media interventions on physical activity and dietary behaviors in young people and adults: a systematic review. BMC. Retrieved on January 17, 2024, from https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-021-
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MacAuley, D. (1994). A history of physical activity, health, and medicine. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 87(1), 32-35. Retrieved on January 16, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1294279/
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Mathew Joseph, N., Ramaswamy, P., & Wang, J. (2018). Cultural factors associated with physical activity among U.S. adults: An integrative review. Applied Nursing Research, Retrieved on February 02, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2018.06.006
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