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Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
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The Power of Others to Shape Our Identity: Body Image, Physical Abilities, and Body Weight

Suzanne Pelican

Fred Vanden Heede

Betty Holmes

Linda M. Melcher

Mary Kay Wardlaw

University of Wyoming

Martha Raidl

University of Idaho–Boise Center

Barbara Wheeler

Montana State University

Sylvia A. Moore

University of Wyoming

Other people can profoundly influence individuals’ feelings about their own body and physical abilities—important dimensions of personal identity and key factors related to lifestyle and body weight. Atotal of 103 adults shared narratives related to physical activity and body image. In relation to the influence of other people, some participants felt strengthened (e.g., praised, supported), and many participants reported damaging experiences (e.g., embarrassment, ridicule). The constructs of self-esteem and sedimentation of experience helped guide interpretation of participants’ stories. From a public health perspective, individuals need to feel competent to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and they need to feel worthy of living it. Recommendations are offered to help people engender these feelings in other individuals.

Key Words: identity • other people • body image • physical abilities • body weight • self-worth • competence • selfesteem • habitus • sedimentation of experience

Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 34, No. 1, 56-79 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1077727X05277738
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