Relation Between Measured And Ideal Weight, Body And Life Satisfaction, And Fitness Levels Of Adolescents

Abstract

The state of Texas enacted legislation requiring public schools to conduct comprehensive health-related physical fitness evaluations on students in grades 3-12 each year. PURPOSE: To examine the relation between middle school students' measured weight, self-reported ideal weight, body satisfaction, life satisfaction, and achieving the "Healthy Fitness Zone" (HFZ) standards of the FITNESSGRAM® physical fitness testing program in Texas. METHODS: Students are considered to be in the HFZ if they achieve health-related standards on each of six tests (aerobic capacity, abdominal strength, upper body strength, trunk extensor strength, flexibility, and body composition), with the standards adjusted for their age and gender. The PACER, curl-up, push-up, trunk-lift, sit and reach, and BMI were given. Students also completed self-report measures that assessed their psychosocial health. The difference between measured weight and self-reported ideal weight was computed for each participant. Of the 448 middle school students who participated in the study, 121 achieved the HFZ standards whereas 327 did not achieve the HFZ standards for all six tests. RESULTS: A 2 (gender) by 2 (HFZ) MANOVA was conducted using their measured and ideal weight difference, body satisfaction, and general life satisfaction as dependent measures. Results revealed main effects for gender and HFZ. Girls had a greater difference between their measured and ideal weight than boys. They were also less likely to be satisfied with their bodies than boys. Those who achieved the HFZ standard for all six tests had smaller differences between their measured and ideal weight than those who did not achieve the HFZ standard. In addition, those who achieved the HFZ standard were more likely to be satisfied with their body and life in general than those who did not achieve the HFZ standard. CONCLUSIONS: Middle school students who were objectively judged to be physically fit were more satisfied with their weight, body, and life in general than those who were less fit. Recognizing that those who do not achieve the HFZ standards may be dissatisfied with their fitness performance and their weight, bodies, and possibly their life in general may help physical educators develop multifaceted strategies to improve both the physical and psychosocial health of students.