THE ROLE OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN BODY IMAGE FORMATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Body image, defined as one’s self-awareness, encompasses the mental image and subjective experience of one’s personality. This research aimed to explore primary school students’ body image, considering their engagement in physical education and sports. Conducted at Primary School “17. Oc- tober” in Jagodina, the study involved 172 students from fifth to eighth grade during the first semester of the 2023/2024 school year. The questionnaire consisted of 13 items ‒ 10 statements with a rating scale from 1 to 5 (1 ‒ I do not agree, 2 ‒ I somewhat agree, 3 ‒ I slightly agree, 4 ‒ I mostly agree, and 5 ‒ I strongly agree) and two open-ended questions. The findings revealed that students had not fully developed their self-concept and often perceive themselves through physical flaws such as pimples, thin or thick legs, and big noses. The research indicated that students engaged in sports displayed greater satisfaction with their external appearance, felt more secure among peers, and expressed contentment with their bodies. Regular training correlated with improved psychological well-being, resulting in more stable reactions in conflict situations. Students embraced sports as an integral part of their free time. Notably, the study established that sports and physical education developed a healthy body image, which affected students’ self-esteem. A preference for team sports indicated successful socialization in primary school students. The decline in interest in Physical education classes among children raised concerns, prompting the Ministries of Health, Education, and Sports to start the project entitled “Every child has the right to grow up healthy” as an initial step in promoting sports.