BODY IMAGE, NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF STUDENTS

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorOne of the most difficult tasks in adolescence is the acceptance of modified body due to puberty events. Dissatisfaction with body image can lead to the practice of restricted diet and exercise in excess, and bring risks of poor nutrition, depression and eating disorders. The school is a privileged place to influence and guide students, and should reflect and work with relevant issues for their health. The aim of this study was to assess the body image satisfaction and its relationship with nutritional status, physical activity level, dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of 175 students from 5th to 8th grade at a public school in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, considering the interventions on issues related to health promotion on such variables. Questionnaires were applied concerning body image satisfaction, nutrition knowledge, dietary habits and physical activity of students. Measures of body weight and height were used to calculate the nutritional status. The first test was conducted in April, and the second test in December, both in 2011. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation test were applied. The significance level was 5%. The students were 50.9% male and 49.1% female. In males, there was no significant correlation between body image satisfaction and any variables in the first test, but in the second test, it was correlated with nutritional status (r=0.592, p,024) e, ainda, com o nível de atividade física (r=0,251, p=0,036). Os resultados indicam que a satisfação com a imagem corporal diminui à medida que aumenta a classificação do estado nutricional, ou seja, conforme aumenta o peso corporal. Especialmente as meninas, quando insatisfeitas com a imagem corporal, apresentam um maior nível de conhecimento nutricional e quando satisfeitas, mais atividade física costumam praticar. Observa-se a importância de se detectar as noções dos estudantes sobre aspectos importantes de seu crescimento e desenvolvimento a fim de se planejar ações educativas, permitindo que aprendam e adotem comportamentos saudáveis à sua vida atual e futura