The model profession uses the appearance for the representation of products and brands via events. For some individuals that are included in this medium, plus a laboral activity, modeling becomes a lifestyle, the search for the status and work opportunities turn a dream for a thousands of children and teenagers because the profession has particulars experiences. To win this, many girls change physical and eating behaviors which are harmful to health. The objective of this study was to analyze the health-related physical fitness in female models comparing them with non-models. The study was conducted at the Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Participated of the study female runway and commercial models bokered in Cast One Models, with age between 15 - 25 years old. The non-models were students from public and private schools or university students. The health-related physical fitness, the physical activity levels and dietary intake were assessed of all participants. The data were described as mean and standard deviation. For comparison between models and non-models was used t independent test for variables normally distributed and U Mann-Whitney test for not normally distributed variables, adopting a level of significance (α) of 0.05. It was found difference in total energy between model group and non-model (GM: 1509.78 kcal, NM: 2292.51 Kcal; p = 0.014). There were no differences between groups in the others variables analyzed (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the profession model seems not interfere in variables that make up the health-related physical fitness.
Adolescence is comprised between the age group from 10 and 19 years old [
The professional model term, in theory and practice, is a beauty model, a person who uses his/her appearance to represent products and brands, through publicity and events, what can many times become a lifestyle and/or professional career [
The required body measurements for models depend on the classification in which they are included. The classic categories are: photographic (commercial) and runaway model (fashion). Commercial models are characterized by performing mostly advertising works, like magazines, outdoors and television commercials. The attributions for this group, for both sexes, are to be photogenic along with well cared hair and skin. In relation to the body, measurements must be proportional, meeting the requirements of the contractor, depending on the required appeal for sealing of a particular product [
Discussions about models daily life conditions become increasingly delicate and explored by study fields like nutrition, psychology and physical education, since that besides being a profession with big turnovers due to contracts; it generates long working days, what can cause reductions in quality of life. Many sacrifices are adopted to reach the goals, because the girls start to give less importance to studies and the vast majority adopts eating and physical behaviors which are harmful to health. To the favoring of the leanness, adolescents from all over the world follow their own concepts of care, making them more susceptible to diseases and impairing their health in all the fields included in it [
The aforementioned state of health is not only characterized by a state of absence of diseases but as a general state of balance in different aspects as psychological, biological, emotional, social, mental and intellectual, thus enabling a well-being sensation that will be along with improvements in physical fitness of the individual and his/her relation to health, because physical activities practice is determined by physical fitness and health levels [
Physical inactivity for lack of time and lack of stimulus along with bad eating habits, for care with appearance, are crucial points for the accomplishment of this work, because isolated evaluation of body composition, nutritional state and quality of life of adolescent models have already been found in the literature. However, we could not find studies that relate these variables in a same study, in adolescent and young adult models, because even with the advancement of exercise sciences, the importance of health-related physical fitness and the relation between exercise practice to quality of life in models are still little explored outcomes.
Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the health-related physical fitness, the physical activity levels and dietary intake in female models in comparison with non-models.
The sample of the study was composed by runaway and/or commercial female models between the ages of 15 and 25 from Cast One Models agency from the city of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and also by adolescent and young adult students from public/private schools and universities from Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The sample of the study was selected by convenience, being made contact with 16 models from Cast One Models agency, in which 10 accepted to participate in the study. After the selection of the models, a total of 8 non model girls were invited to participate in the study, of which 8 accepted it and were part of the study. These girls were also selected by convenience, in compliance with the same age groups and home city of the models, only avoiding the inclusion of obese girls, by believing that this would generate a huge comparative bias, once obesity is associated with physical activity level and physical fitness.
The test protocols were performed at Estação Saúde gym in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 3 days were used for data collection, being the first day designated to the signature of a free and informed consent form, completing of an anamnetic record, body composition evaluation, filling of questionnaires about physical activity level, delivery and explanation of dietary records and familiarization with physical fitness tests (mensuration of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak)), flexibility, maximum dynamic muscle strength (1RM) of knee extensors and elbow flexors, resistant strength (muscular endurance) of knee extensors and elbow flexors). On the second day, a second familiarization with 1 RM and muscular endurance tests was made and the cardiorrespiratory and flexibility tests were performed. On the third day, the 1RM and muscular endurance tests were performed, finalizing the experimental procedures. The reading and the signature of the consent form were made individually (for girls over the age of 18 years) and with the company of those responsible for them (for girls under the age of 18). An assent form was also filled to secure agreement between the study and the locals of the subjects’ recruitment. In all the procedures, there were between two and three physical education professionals performing the aforementioned procedures.
Individuals attended to evaluation location according to the schedule, with two-piece suits. Firstly, height (HEI) and body weight (BW) measurements were made. With these values, their body mass index (BMI) was calculated, using the formula body weight (Kg)/height2 (m). After this, the measurements of the seven skinfolds were made: triceps, subscapularis, supra-iliac, abdominal, leg, middle axillary line and thigh. Based on the obtained values, body density was estimated utilizing the equation of the seven skinfolds proposed by Jackson et al. [
For the evaluation of cardiorrespiratory fitness, a treadmill of Olympikus brand was utilized, with resolution of speed and inclination of 0.1 Km∙h−1 e 1%, respectively, portable gas analyzer of mixing box type VO2000, INBRAMED brand, pneumotachograph, ranging from 2 to 225 L∙min−1 for low, medium and high flows, neoprene mask and a heart rate monitor FT1 model, POLAR brand. Study subjects performed a familiarization session with the treadmill, the neoprene mask and the heart rate monitor that would be further used in the test. The maximum test on the treadmill was performed for the determination of the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) of the samples. For the accomplishment, individuals were instructed to stand with feet apart on the treadmill, where the neoprene mask would be put. To start the test, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) should be under 0.85. We utilized a protocol that consisted of an initial speed of 4 km/h during two minutes, with increments of 1 km/h at each two minutes, with fixed inclination (1%). This protocol test was created for the conducting of the present study, aiming that the models reached the maximum effort without big increments in the inclination of the treadmill. Heart rate was recorded at each 10 seconds and the exertion perception was also registered at the end of each stage of the test. The test was conducted until voluntary exhaustion (signalized by manual gests). The evaluation was considered valid when one of the following criteria was reached at the end of the test [
The measurement of the maximal dynamic strength was obtained after a familiarization period of two sessions, with 1 RM tests for knee extension and elbow flexion. In these tests, individuals executed one repetition in each proposed exercise supporting the maximal possible load. The execution rhythm was controlled by a metronome (QUARTZ brand), being 1.5 seconds for the concentric phase and 1.5 seconds for the eccentric phase. Previously to the test, the girls performed a warm-up period (5 minutes) in cycle ergometer during five minutes, and after this an initial load was selected, in which the participants wouldn’t be able to perform more than 10 maximum repetitions. After this series, the load was being adjusted with the corresponding of the 1RM through the values proposed by Lombardi [
For the conduction of the dynamic muscular resistance test a load corresponding to 60% of 1 RM of the knee extension and elbow flexor was utilized. For these tests, the individual should perform the maximal number of repetitions possible. The execution rhythm was controlled by a metronome, being 1.5 seconds designated for the concentric phase and 1.5 seconds for the eccentric phase.
The determination of the flexibility was made through a test utilizing the Wells Bench, which is in box format with the dimensions 30.5 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm, containing in its upper flat a wooden board. The fixed scale is graded 1 by 1 cm. The test was intended to measure the degree of flexibility of the hip, back and posterior muscles of the lower members. The evaluated individual was barefoot and assumed a sitting position, facing the equipment with the soles of the feet flat on the Wells Bench, with the knees fully extended. The arms were extended on the box surface with the hands overlapped one on another. The individual extended her body forward along the fixed scale, trying to reach the greatest possible distance. Three attempts were made and that for each one of them, the distance reached in the scale was maintained for at least 1 second long. The greatest value reached after all the attempts was considered [
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version was utilized as indicator of the physical activity level of the study subjects, which investigates the physical activity level of the responders on the last seven days. This questionnaire consists of questions regarding the frequency of rigorous or moderate physical activity and walking activities performed in the last week by the responder. The present questionnaire can be classified categorically and/or in a continuous way, being estimated the metabolic units (METS) spent weekly (Met.min) in walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and the sum of these three conditions [
The feeding control was performed through the application of a feeding record of three days. The recording procedure was made through the following manner: each model registered three days of the week, non-consec- utive, being two business days (typical days) and one weekend day (atypical day). The feeding records were filled during the collection period. The meals were described with the schedules, the quantities in household measures, and, when possible, the brand of the feeding products. After the filling of the records made by the girls, all of the notes were checked by a trained researcher, so that no doubt would happen in regarding to the described records. The feeding records were thereafter calculated with the aid of the Nutrition Software DietWin Professional (Brubins, CAS, Brazil) in order to quantify the content of the consumed food by the models and non models.
As descriptive statistics the mean and standard deviation values were used for normally distributed continuous variables and the median and interquartile range values were used for continuous variables that were not normally distributed. Categorical variables were presented by the sample n. The normality and homogeneity of the data were evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, respectively. For the comparison between the variables of the models and the non models it was used the independent t-test for normally distributed variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for variables that were not normally distributed. When comparing categorical variables, we used Fisher’s exact test. It was adopted a 5% significance level. All analyzes were performed using SPSS program, version 20.0.
24 girls were contacted, 16 of them were models and eight were non models. A total of six subjects left the study (six of MG, three because of contact impossibility, one because of family problems, one refused to participate and one because of address change). The adherence of the tests for the MG was impaired during the collection sessions due to the big turnover and long working days that are required by the profession, which caused absence of some models in some of the proposed protocols. In this way, the final population of the study consisted of 18 subjects performing the tests protocols (MG; n = 10) and (NM; n = 8). In
All the girls who proposed to participate in the study were born and created in the same region, frequenting similar places. In MG, all the models were contracted by the same agency, with patterned solicitations and charges for all of them. It is noteworthy to mention the great importance that the MG components gave to the collection of the data (a large number of the models performed the collection procedures in order to obtain more information about their own body and thus try to reach the measures imposed by the agency in a healthy manner). In the same way, the non models participated in the study in order to obtain information that would favor their daily performance.
The characterization of the final sample (analyzed subjects) is presented on
All of the components of health-related physical fitness did not show any difference between the groups (p > 0.05). These analyses are demonstrated on
The results found for scores of physical activity levels are presented on
The results related to food consumption are presented on
MG (n = 10) | NM (n = 8) | |
---|---|---|
Age (years) | 20.5 (16.2 - 21.7) | 21.5 (20.2 - 23.0) |
Career Duration (months) | 49.8 ± 30.7 | ____ |
Nutritional monitoring | 2 | 2 |
Psychic monitoring | 3 | 4 |
Education | ||
Fundamental Incomplete | 0 | 0 |
Fundamental Complete | 0 | 0 |
Medium Incomplete | 3 | 0 |
Medium Complete | 2 | 1 |
Superior Incomplete | 5 | 6 |
Superior Complete | 0 | 1 |
Age data are presented as median and interquartile range; Career duration is presented as mean ± SD; The others variables are presented by n of each group.
MG (n = 10) | NM (n = 8) | p value | |
---|---|---|---|
VO2pico | 33.20 (32.90 - 34.10) | 31.60 (26.95 - 32.60) | p = 0.073 |
1RM knee extension (Kg) | 70.00 (65.00 - 72.50) | 65.00 (55.00 - 72.50) | p = 0.383 |
1RM bending elbows (Kg) | 16.00 (16.00 - 19.00) | 18.00 (16.00 - 18.00) | p = 0.902 |
Resistant strength of knee extension (rep) | 9.00 (8.00 - 11.00) | 12.00 (10.00 - 12.50) | p = 0.128 |
Resistant strength of bending elbows (rep) | 10.00 (8.50 - 13.50) | 10.00 (8.50 - 12.00) | p = 0.902 |
Flexibility (cm) | 26.90 ± 8.95 | 26.25 ± 4.77 | p = 0.856 |
Weight (kg) | 54.87 ± 3.50 | 53.38 ± 5.02 | p = 0.484 |
Height (m) | 1.74 (1.73 - 1.76) | 1.65 (1.63 - 1.70) | p = 0.002 |
BMI (kg/m2) | 18.33 ± 1.44 | 19.19 ± 1.57 | p = 0.239 |
Waist circumference (cm) | 67.50 (66.00 - 68.70) | 67.25 (65.12 - 70.62) | p = 0.758 |
Waist/height ratio | 0.38 (0.38 - 0.40) | 0.40 (0.39 - 0.42) | p = 0.252 |
Fat percentage | 16.37 ± 3.04 | 19.71 ± 3.61 | p = 0.066 |
Percentage of lean mass | 83.63 ± 3.04 | 80.29 ± 3.61 | p = 0.066 |
Fat mass (kg) | 9.03 ± 2.01 | 10.5 ± 2.70 | p = 0.234 |
Lean mass (kg) | 45.83 ± 2.49 | 42.35 ± 3.27 | p = 0.030 |
S7DC | 86.40 (78.15 - 94.40) | 98.50 (87.42 - 114.60) | p = 0.114 |
1RM: one repetition maximum; rep: repetitions. VO2peak data, 1RM knee extension, elbow flexion 1RM, resistant strength of knee extension, resistant strength of bending elbows, height, waist circumference and Σ7DC are presented as median and interquartile range (Mann-Whitney); The other variables are presented as mean ± SD (independent t test). α: 0.05.
MG (n = 10) | NM (n = 8) | p value | |
---|---|---|---|
Mets.min.walking | 297.00 (148.50 - 569.25) | 264.00 (185.63 - 305.25) | p = 0.965 |
Metsmin.PAmoderate | 360.00 (0.00 - 1080.00) | 300.00 (225.00 - 560.00) | p = 0.573 |
Mets.min.PAvigorous | 360.00 (0.00 - 1260.00) | 480.00 (450.00 - 480.00) | p = 0.897 |
Mets.min.PAsum | 1306.50 (572.25 - 2219.25) | 1079.25 (957.00 - 1349.38) | p = 0.897 |
PA: physical activity; Mets: metabolic unities. Data are presented as medians and interquartile ranges (Mann-Whitney). α: 0.05.
MG (n = 10) | NM (n = 8) | p value | |
---|---|---|---|
Mean energetic value (kcal) | 1509.78 ± 531.83 | 2292.51 ± 552.12 | p = 0.014 |
Carbohydrates (g) | 202.20 ± 80.61 | 295.02 ± 85.17 | p = 0.046 |
Protein (g) | 63.17 ± 20.98 | 91.78 ± 26.81 | p = 0.032 |
Lipids (g) | 47.00 ± 18.41 | 79.00 ± 20.34 | p = 0.006 |
Carbohydrates (%) | 64.15 ± 6.30 | 62.97 ± 6.59 | p = 0.727 |
Protein (%) | 20.72 ± 4.96 | 19.86 ± 3.76 | p = 0.721 |
Lipids (%) | 15.12 ± 3.10 | 17.16 ± 3.97 | p = 0.270 |
Data are presented as mean ± DE. α: 0.05. (Independent t test).
The main findings of the present study were that besides the supposed similarity found between models and non models, the girls who act like models showed some anthropometric differences (height and lean mass) and also a lower total energetic consumption. Rodrigues et al. [
Discussions regarding body dimensions are being increasingly made. By analyzing the models population, this discussion is related to the body that would be the one which contemplates the ideals of a body considered pattern. This is clearly exposed by Norton [
By analyzing the results obtained in the cardiorespiratory variables, there were no significant differences found in regards to the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) just as in the muscle strength and resistance and in flexibility. Possibly, no differences were found because of the similar number of exercise practitioners between the groups (MG: 6; NM: 5), which demonstrates that far beyond the chosen profession, the fact of carrying out a determined exercise modality seems to be fundamental for the fitness levels found, either cardiorrespiratory or neuromuscular ones. It demonstrates that much more than the profession, the adoption of a structured and supervises physical training can have a stronger implication in physical fitness than the labor activities of the individuals. Particularly in women, this is of fundamental importance, helping in the prevention of highly prevalent diseases in the female sex, as osteoporosis, that must be thought about since adolescence, a phase in which occurs the deposition of a big part (around 90%) of the mineral bone content found in adult age [
In relation to physical activity levels, no significant differences were found between MG and NM, being both groups in scores corresponding to the sufficiently active classification (between 600 and 1499 mets.min.week), demonstrating that despite different labor occupations, the women of the present study had good physical activity levels, which is fundamental for health, because high levels of this outcome can reduce the incidence of many diseases, as well as mortality rates [
Moreover, the study of [
Regarding to food consumption, the mean energetic value (kcal) ingested by the models is found next to 782.73 less daily kcal when compared to the non models, this lower caloric ingestion can be explained by the need and exigency of maintenance and many times of the loss of body mass daily requested by the models agency. The lower energetic consumption value of MG (MG: 1509.78 ± 531.83; NM: 2292.51 ± 552.12) can even explain the big tendency of difference (p = 0.066) between the groups in the %F. It demonstrates that the food rigidity imposed in the model profession ends to be really adopted and has an impact not only in area measurements, as in perimeters and BMI, but also in the accumulation of body fat. The difference between models and non models in the food consumption corroborates to the findings of Rodrigues et al. [
Analyzing the daily percentages indicated by the recommendations of nutrition for adolescents [
It must be also noted that many girls who act as models are young and unprepared in questions of life, which causes the incorrect ingestion of foods (instant foods), being this action performed in order to gain time, contributing to a feeding considered not to be healthy, a worrying fact due to the evaluated age group and still, questions of altered ingestions, such as less fat than the recommended quantity, can implicate in injuries to women health in the future, because female hormones like estrogen and progesterone are synthesized based on fat [
As limitations of the present study, we highlight the reduced sample size, which is only representative of a profile of models and non models. Due to that, one should exercise caution in the interpretation of the results, being necessary to enlarge the observation of the health-related physical fitness, of the physical activity levels and of the nutritional profile in models of different levels, regions and ages.
Based on the results found in our study, we observed that the model profession can result in some anthropometric differences like greater height and lean mass, in addition to a lower energetic consumption. The comparison between models and non models showed a big similarity between the groups in aspects related to health-related physical fitness and physical activity levels. The findings of the study point that the model profession does not interfere in questions of health and its relation to physical fitness.
However, even reaching satisfactory results, we believe that this population has the need to be closely accompanied in all the ambits of life, due to the age group (adolescence and beginning of adult life) be a period of formation and consolidation of many questions of life and also because of the physical and psychological particularities that these adolescents are daily affected by, in order to avoid future problems in the health of these girls.
Salime Donida ChedidLisboa,Rodrigo SudattiDelevatti,Ana CarolinaKanitz,ThaisReichert,Cláudia GomesBracht,Alexandra FerreiraVieira,Luiz Fernando MartinsKruel, (2016) Health-Related Physical Fitness in Female Models. Health,08,163-172. doi: 10.4236/health.2016.82019