Physical-healthy and psychosocial differences in school children: A study of gender

Abstract

This study aims to examine gender differences according to physical-healthy habits, problematic use of video games and self-concept in Primary Education students in Granada. In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 577 primary school students in Granada participated. The Questionnaire of Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) was used for the Mediterranean diet adherence variable, the Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Video Games (QERV) was applied to the problematic use of video games, and the self-concept, Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF-5) was used. In addition, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured and a self-registration sheet was used to record the age and gender of the individuals, daily hours of physical activity, hours of using digital screens and hours of sleeping. Main results and conclusions of the study, it should be noted that men have higher levels of regular physical activity, problematic use of video games, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical and family self-concept. While females show higher levels of body mass index and academic, social and emotional self-concept. Males showed that greater participation in physical-sports activities was associated with better adherence to the Mediterranean diet, levels of self-concept and fewer hours of sleep. In this sense, it should be noted that the females showed that the greater the practice of physical activity the lower the family self-concept. In addition, it was found that, in general, an adequate intake of the Mediterranean diet favours self-concept, while when this is low, the use of problematic video games is encouraged.