Table Of ContentAN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Deborah A. Christel for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Design and Human
Environment presented on July 6, 2012
Title: Physically Active Adult Women’s Experiences with Plus-Size Athletic Apparel
Abstract approved: ___________________________________________________
Leslie D. Burns, PhD.
Substantial research on the functionality of athletic apparel has been conducted;
however little consideration has been given to the plus size figure. Societal messages
suggest that overweight women are lazy and therefore would not be interested in
athletic apparel. The purpose of this study was to determine overweight adult women’s
experience with athletic clothing. The sample consisted of 14 women, ages 30 to 65
who wore size 1X to 3X. They were each supplied with a Nike brand athletic outfit
and participated in two in depth interviews. Data collection methods included
qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys and guided journaling. The major findings
suggest that overweight women have difficulty shopping for clothing. Difficulty and
frustration was experienced on a number of levels including; limited stores, limited
selection and styles, fitting issues, over-priced items and less color options compared
to smaller sizes. The findings suggest overweight women experience emotional
anxiety when trying on clothing for the first time. Dissatisfaction with clothing fit was
attributed to the belief their body is unsuitable and needs to change. Satisfaction with
clothing fit was attributed to the ability of the apparel designer. Many negative
experiences have left this sample feeling disappointed and marginalized. Some
participant’s experienced increased desire to participate in physical activity while
others felt exercise was a necessity regardless of the clothing available. By trying on
the Nike brand clothing, it gave the women in this study an alternative way of dressing
themselves which has enabled several women to feel differently about their size and
their body in athletic clothing. The current sample showed behaviors of internalization
by using dehumanizing terms to describe body parts. The sample felt discriminated
against in the media and wanted to see larger women modeling clothing. Apparel
companies should include a wider variety of sizes in their brick and mortar stores as to
not alienate a population. Apparel companies should incorporate diverse models into
advertisement to include the plus-size population. Proving high quality athletic apparel
to plus size women provided an opportunity for them to experience their bodies in a
new perspective. Future studies should develop new pattern making, grading and
sizing techniques in order to provide better fitting athletic apparel for large size
bodies. Studies expanding on fit and comfort of athletic apparel for large bodies
should be explored. This paper provides an initial indication of how plus size women
experience athletic apparel. Further understanding of clothing, fit and exercise
behavior are needed.
© Copyright by Deborah A. Christel
July 6, 2012
All Rights Reserved
PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ADULT WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES WITH PLUS SIZE
ATHLETIC APPAREL
by
Deborah A. Christel
A DISSERTATION
Submitted to
Oregon State University
in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Presented July 6, 2012
Commencement June 2013
Doctor of Philosophy dissertation of Deborah A. Christel presented on
July 6, 2012
APPROVED:
___________________________________________________
Major Professor, representing Design and Human Environment
___________________________________________________
Chair of the Department of Design and Human Environment
___________________________________________________
Dean of the Graduate School
I understand that my dissertation will become part of the permanent collection of
Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my
dissertation to any reader upon request.
___________________________________________________
Deborah A. Christel, Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are several people who I would like to recognize for their support and
participation in completion of my dissertation. I am thankful to my major professor,
Dr. Leslie Burns, who encouraged me to believe in myself. Her guidance and support
through the process has made an impact on my academic career view on life. I would
also like to express my appreciation to my other committee members, Dr. Vicki
Ebbeck, Dr. Colleen Bee and Dr. Larry Roper. I thank them for their feedback, time
and support. Also, Dr. Patti Watkins for her guidance and inspiration.
Special thanks go to my family and friends for their support. Kelly Readdy-
Best, I could not have done this without our chats and venting sessions. Thank you for
helping me review and give perspective through my writing. Special thanks to my
roommates, Amanda Grisham and Nicole Ognibene who took me out of my writing
nook to decompress and socialize. Without them I might have really gone wacka-
doodle. Of course, Jay Hendricks was with me throughout the most difficult times of
this study. Jay made countless meals and walked our cinnamon bear more times than I
can recall. I must also thank my beautiful and insightful participants who openly
shared with me their intimate experiences. Without them, this research would not be
possible. I will forever hold them in my hearts. Lastly, I offer my respect and
blessings to all of those who supported me in any element during the completion of the
project. This dissertation is dedicated to my Grandmother, Betty Louise Christel. It is
dedicated to her and the women of her generation who were not given the same
opportunities in education as I am today.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER(1.(INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................1!
Research(Objectives...........................................................................................................2!
Definition(of(Terms............................................................................................................3!
Assumptions(and(Limitations........................................................................................6!
Limitations.............................................................................................................................6!
CHAPTER(2.(LITERATURE(REVIEW............................................................................................8!
Cultural(ideal(of(physical(attractiveness.................................................................11!
Clothing(and(Body(Image...............................................................................................15!
Clothing(and(Behavior.....................................................................................................19!
Sizing(Standards(in(the(US.............................................................................................20!
Grading(techniques...........................................................................21!
Fit(and(Comfort(of(Athletic(Apparel..........................................................................23!
Comfort..................................................................................................24!
Perceived(Clothing(Fit.....................................................................26!
Athletic Fabrics....................................................................................27!
Factors(Associated(with(Starting(or(Sustaining(Exercise.................................33!
Social(Physique(Anxiety..................................................................................................34!
Social(Comparison............................................................................................................37!
Obesity...................................................................................................................................37!
Obesity(and(body(image.................................................................38!
Obesity(and(depression..................................................................39!
Discrimination(associated(with(obesity..................................41!
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Exercise(Motivation..........................................................................................................43!
Appearance(Management..............................................................................................43!
Summary...............................................................................................................................44!
CHAPTER(3.(METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................46!
Researcher's(Philosophy................................................................................................46!
Research(Design(Strategy..............................................................................................48!
Sampling................................................................................................48!
Data(Collection(Procedure.............................................................................................49!
Phase(1:(Recruitment.......................................................................49!
Phase(2:(Participant(contact.........................................................49!
Phase(3:(Introduction,(Oral(Consent(and(Survey.................50!
Phase(4:(Nike(Brand(clothing(selection....................................50!
Phase(5:(On_line(guided(Journal..................................................50!
Phase(6:(First(in_depth(interview...............................................51!
Phase(7:(Second(in_depth(interview,(member(checks(and(
concluding(remarks..........................................................................................51!
Qualitative(interviewing.................................................................51!
Data(analysis(procedures...............................................................52!
Verifying(data(accuracy..................................................................54!
Limitations(of(Methodology..........................................................................................55!
Ethical(Issues.......................................................................................................................55!
Analytic(Strategies............................................................................................................56!
CHAPTER(4.(RESULTS.....................................................................................................................58!
Description:frustration was experienced on a number of levels including; limited stores, limited selection The current sample showed behaviors of internalization.
