Breadth and intensity of sport participation as a predictor of body satisfaction among adolescents One of the top three concerns of Australian adolescents since 2006 is body image as over a third rate it as a major concern, along with to deal with stress and school or study problems (Misson Australia, 2013). A major cause of body dissatisfaction among women is perceived pressure from society, which emphasizes an ideal body shape that is unrealistically thin, which is repeatedly portrayed through the media where women may feel the need to conform (McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2003 ). Males feel pressure to follow the sociocultural ideal body shape of a muscular V-shaped build with broad shoulders and a slim waistline (Raudenbush & Zellner, 1997). Johnson & Schlndt (1985) indicate that these social pressures can be persuasive during adolescence because these years contain a unique developmental stage in which the body is changing biologically and is a crucial time for exploring and developing an identity. In the scientific literature, adolescent body image has received enormous attention, but research has predominantly focused on girls and body dissatisfaction, rather than positive body image. Low body satisfaction has been associated with the development of mental health conditions, both diet-related and global, so attention to body dissatisfaction is warranted. Low body satisfaction is associated with mild eating concerns, such as frequent dieting, and has been reported to predict the development of eating disorders (Ackard, Croll & Kearney-Cooke, 2002). Increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, low self-esteem and an increase in risky behaviors (Granner, Black & Abood, 2002) such as increased alcohol consumption... middle of paper... is playing more sport better than nothing? With what intensity does body image begin to improve?). Furthermore, it can identify particular sports that provide greater body satisfaction. This could educate parents, teachers and coaches about the importance of sports participation and encourage their children and students to take up a sport. It may encourage schools to implement more mandatory structured physical activity, in a group setting as sport participation may have the potential to provide adolescents with positive values ​​and experiences that increase body esteem. If schools implemented more structured sport, this could help teenagers, as it could increase the likelihood that one is satisfied with their body. The sporting context can highlight the importance of health and fitness as a potential protective factor against body dissatisfaction in a society that often emphasizes the thin ideal.