A Study of Social Factors Affecting the Body Management (Case Study: Adolescents and Youths of Isfahan City)

Abstract

One of the essential consequences in the emergence of consumer society is that individuals' body hasbecome reflective based on changing their visible characteristics of their bodies. People try to construct a social body acceptable to their society. The present article is a survey research that intends to explore the social factors affecting body management. Statistical population of this study consisted of over 551653 youth aged 15-29 living in the city of Isfahan. From among them, 384 persons were selected as the sample of the study based on quota sampling formula. Research hypotheses were formulated by referring to the theories given by Anthony Giddens, Bourdieu, Gaffman, Gerbner and Federeston. Data collection instrument was questionnaire. After analyzing the data, it was found that women have gained the upper body management behaviors than men. Based on inferential analysis, there was a statistically significant correlation between social identity (r= 0.282), religious identity (r= 0.158), gender identity (r= 0.188), cultural capital (r= 0.234), level of education and body management. Furthermore, results of regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the variables such as gender, social identity, cultural capital and body management among the youth under research.<br />