Relationships Between the Body Image and Physical Activity on Spanish Adolescents

A distortion of body image should be related with some body composition- related disorders, which has a behavioral etiology, mainly for adolescents. The body shape self-perception should one important risk factor, and some surveys have suggested that physical activity (PA) would be contributor to promote a better body self-perception. However, there is not enough evidence about what is the relationship between body composition, different patterns of PA and body shape in adolescents. PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between body image perception, body composition and PA in Spanish adolescents. METHODS: 829 healthy students accepted and were authorized to participate in this study (405 boys and 424 girls; 14.3 ±1.2 years; body mass index, 20.7 4.0 kg/m2). Body composition was estimated using bioelectric impedance and anthropometry. Body shape was assessed with Figure Rating Scale (FRS) and body satisfaction with Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Daily PA and out-of-school PA (OSSP) were recorded by a validated physical activity questionnaire for Spanish adult children (PAQ-A). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to explore the relationships between variables. Independent sample T-test was carried out to compare body image perception between adolescents with and without OSSP. RESULTS: A significant relationship between body image and Body Mass Index (BMI) was found (rho=0.653, p<0.001). Significant relationship was found between BSQ score and PA (rho =0.142, p