Abstract
<strong>Purpose:</strong> Physical activity promotes a positive physical self-image, but less is known about whether the positive effect covers the general self-evaluation of adolescent appearance. This study aimed to further explore the associations between physical activity and body-esteem in Finnish adolescents, via a country-representative cross-sectional study design. <strong>Methods:</strong> The data for the study were drawn from the Finnish component of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (2014), using surveys from 15-year-old adolescents (n=1956, mean age 15.8 years) from 122 schools. Self-evaluations of body or appearance were measured by the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA). A mixed effects linear regression analysis for body-esteem was conducted separately for boys and girls. The explanatory variables were (i) self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), (ii) weight status, (iii) self-esteem, and (iv) socioeconomic status. The covariates used in the models were maturation state and ethnic background. <strong>Results:</strong> The body-esteem score was highest among adolescents who reported engagement in MVPA corresponding to the international recommendation for adolescents’ physical activity. The positive association between MVPA and body-esteem was found even when it was considered in conjunction with other body image-related factors, but only among boys. The variance in MVPA explained 5.0% of the body-esteem variance in the model for boys (Model R<sup>2</sup> = 26.3%). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The physical activity of young people should be further promoted for a variety of health reasons, including its positive association with higher body-esteem. However, consideration should be given to gender differences and other factors related in this complex association.
Highlights
Adolescents undergo various physical, mental, cultural, social, and psychological changes that shape their perceptions of themselves, change their attitudes towards their own appearance (Erol & Orth 2011; Ge et al 2001; Morin et al 2011), and influence the on-going development of body image (Voelker et al 2015)
Body-esteem was highest among adolescents who reported having been engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for a minimum of 60 minutes on the seven days of the week that preceded the inquiry
Our results concerning a positive association between body-esteem and MVPA are in line with e.g. Kantanista et al (2015), who reported a correlation between positive body image and higher physical activity among 14–16-year-olds, and with Fernández-Bustos et al (2019) who found physical activity to improve body satisfaction and the physical self-concept among 12–17-year-olds
Summary
Adolescents undergo various physical, mental, cultural, social, and psychological changes that shape their perceptions of themselves, change their attitudes towards their own appearance (Erol & Orth 2011; Ge et al 2001; Morin et al 2011), and influence the on-going development of body image (Voelker et al 2015). Adolescents’ perceived body dissatisfaction arises from a complex interplay of factors, including personal qualities such as gender, weight status, and self-esteem (van den Berg et al 2010). Early-onset puberty in girls and late-onset puberty in boys are risk factors for a negative body image (Stojković 2012). This affects adolescent a few years after the onset
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