Types of Body Negativity: In and Out of Sports
྿TRIGGER WARNING: EATING DISORDERS/BODY IMAGE ISSUES
The tough thing about body negativity and body image issues is that it stems from many different areas. This is true in body negativity in general: whether in sports or out. Body shaming can come from external influences, but it can also stem from the athlete themselves. In order to eradicate body shaming in sports, it is crucial to be able to recognize and learn the main different sources of body negativity in sports. 
1. Specific weight brackets and aesthetics in sports
This category of body negativity is relatively easy to pinpoint, but difficult to eradicate. Sports that have specific weight brackets, such as wrestling or boxing, can often cause their athletes to feel shame about their weight and body mass. It can also cause athletes to feel as though they should get lighter/heavier to compete in the desired weight bracket, and can lead to body image issues and serious malnourishment. Sports where aesthetics are important, like dance and figure skating, can also cause body image issues. Not fitting into the "ideal" body type for these sports can lead to drops in scores or body shaming.
This category can be seen in almost any sport. Coaches may pressure and lecture students about their body types or weight to push them to perform better. While this category of body negativity is difficult to pinpoint from an outside perspective, it is very detrimental to both the athletes' mental health and physical health.
3. Negativity from peers
Unlike any of the previously mentioned categories, this one occurs outside of the sport itself. Athletes may be body-shamed at school, public places, parties, etc, which can lead to detrimental body image issues and/or eating disorders. This category is particularly dangerous because many teenagers care about their outward appearances to their peers, and are prone to be affected by negative comments about their appearances.
4. Negativity from parents/family members
Like negativity from peers, this category occurs outside of the sport, but it can also occur within the sport as well. Parents may shame their children (sometimes unknowingly!). Shaming from parents/family members can be extremely impactful to athletes; the closer the relationship to the athlete, the more impactful the comment.
5. Negativity from teammates/rivals
This category can be seen in almost any sport. Athletes may be body-shamed by fellow teammates and rivals; the roots of these comments are usually from jealousy or hatred. Like negativity from peers, this category can be detrimental because teenagers are prone to listen to their peers' comments because of their similar ages. While difficult to identify from outside perspectives, negativity from teammates/rivals and peers can be the easiest to eradicate from the inside.
6. Self-destructive thinking/puberty
This category is not an outer influence; it is from the athlete themselves. Self-destructive thoughts and negative body image are caused by athletes' insecurities, self-hatred, and other detrimental factors. While difficult to identify from outside perspectives, it is very harmful to athletes' mental health and physical health. Puberty, on the other hand, cannot be helped. It is a natural process that all teenagers, including athletes, must endure. However, sudden changes in body types or body mass can cause athletes to be thrown off their game or suddenly notice their changed body.
Although these are the major types of body negativity within sports, there are many more. If you as a reader can think of any more that you have either experienced or heard of, please feel free to comment it on this post. I will try to research and write about it as best I can.
In the next few weeks, we will be posting articles going through each type of body negativity. Feel free to check back in each week to read about different types of body negativity in sports and how to eradicate them.
Remember, your goals and confidence are directed only by you. Keep working hard.
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