Influencia de la actividad en la imagen corporal en preadolescentes y adolescentes: importancia del índice de masa corporal como factor de confusión / Influence of exercise in the body image of preadolescents and adolescents: importance of the body mass index as a factor of confusion

Introducción: los adolescentes son el grupo más vulnerable frente a las distorsiones en la percepción de la imagen. Ello les conduce frecuentemente a una insatisfacción corporal que puede afectar negativamente a su autoestima. La práctica de actividad física (AF) podría ayudar a solventar este problema. Objetivos: analizar la influencia que la cantidad de AF realizada tiene sobre la autopercepción de la imagen corporal en población pre y adolescente, teniendo en cuenta factores de confusión que pudieran afectar a esta relación. Métodos: estudio transversal con 822 participantes de entre 9 y 16 años. Se determinó la prevalencia de AF, su índice de masa corporal (IMC) y su condición física (CF) objetiva y percibida. Se empleó el pictograma de Stunkard para determinar el grado de insatisfacción corporal. Resultados: se determinó que existe una satisfacción generalizada con la propia imagen corporal con independencia de la edad y el sexo. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas de baja magnitud entre la imagen corporal percibida y la cantidad de AF, la CF percibida y la CF objetiva. La AF no influyó en la satisfacción corporal cuando se ajustó en base al IMC, que fue la variable que presentó correlaciones más elevadas con la autopercepción (r = 0,713) y la propia satisfacción (r = 0,576). Conclusiones: se determinó que existe una satisfacción generalizada con la propia imagen corporal en la población pre y adolescente objeto de estudio. La cantidad de AF no se mostró como una variable de gran influencia sobre la autopercepción y la satisfacción corporal, al contrario que el IMC. (AU)

Introduction: adolescents are the group most vulnerable to distortions in the perception of their image. This often leads to body dissatisfaction that can negatively affect their self-esteem. The practice of physical activity (PA) could help solve this problem. Objectives: to analyze the influence that the amount of PA performed has on the self-perception of body image in the pre and adolescent population while taking into account confounding factors that could affect this relationship. Methods: a cross-sectional study of 822 participants aged 9 to 16 years was conducted. The prevalence of PA, their body mass index (BMI), and their objective and perceived physical condition (PC) were determined. The Stunkard pictogram was used to determine the degree of body dissatisfaction. Results: a generalized satisfaction with own body image was found regardless of age and sex. Low-magnitude significant associations were found between perceived body image and the amount of PA, perceived PC, and objective PC. PA did not influence body satisfaction when adjusted for BMI, which was the variable that presented the highest correlations with self-perception (r = 0.713) and self-satisfaction (r = 0.576). Conclusions: a generalized satisfaction with one's own body image was identified in the pre and adolescent population under study. The amount of PA was not shown to be a variable with great influence on self-perception and body satisfaction, contrary to BMI. (AU)

[Influence of exercise in the body image of preadolescents and adolescents: importance of the index of corporal mass as a factor of confusion]. / Influencia de la actividad en la imagen corporal en preadolescentes y adolescentes: importancia del índice de masa corporal como factor de confusión.

Introduction: Introduction: adolescents are the group most vulnerable to distortions in the perception of their image. This often leads to body dissatisfaction that can negatively affect their self-esteem. The practice of physical activity (PA) could help solve this problem. Objectives: to analyze the influence that the amount of PA performed has on the self-perception of body image in the pre and adolescent population while taking into account confounding factors that could affect this relationship. Methods: a cross-sectional study of 822 participants aged 9 to 16 years was conducted. The prevalence of PA, their body mass index (BMI), and their objective and perceived physical condition (PC) were determined. The Stunkard pictogram was used to determine the degree of body dissatisfaction. Results: a generalized satisfaction with own body image was found regardless of age and sex. Low-magnitude significant associations were found between perceived body image and the amount of PA, perceived PC, and objective PC. PA did not influence body satisfaction when adjusted for BMI, which was the variable that presented the highest correlations with self-perception (r = 0.713) and self-satisfaction (r = 0.576). Conclusions: a generalized satisfaction with one's own body image was identified in the pre and adolescent population under study. The amount of PA was not shown to be a variable with great influence on self-perception and body satisfaction, contrary to BMI.

Introducción: Introducción: los adolescentes son el grupo más vulnerable frente a las distorsiones en la percepción de la imagen. Ello les conduce frecuentemente a una insatisfacción corporal que puede afectar negativamente a su autoestima. La práctica de actividad física (AF) podría ayudar a solventar este problema. Objetivos: analizar la influencia que la cantidad de AF realizada tiene sobre la autopercepción de la imagen corporal en población pre y adolescente, teniendo en cuenta factores de confusión que pudieran afectar a esta relación. Métodos: estudio transversal con 822 participantes de entre 9 y 16 años. Se determinó la prevalencia de AF, su índice de masa corporal (IMC) y su condición física (CF) objetiva y percibida. Se empleó el pictograma de Stunkard para determinar el grado de insatisfacción corporal. Resultados: se determinó que existe una satisfacción generalizada con la propia imagen corporal con independencia de la edad y el sexo. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas de baja magnitud entre la imagen corporal percibida y la cantidad de AF, la CF percibida y la CF objetiva. La AF no influyó en la satisfacción corporal cuando se ajustó en base al IMC, que fue la variable que presentó correlaciones más elevadas con la autopercepción (r = 0,713) y la propia satisfacción (r = 0,576). Conclusiones: se determinó que existe una satisfacción generalizada con la propia imagen corporal en la población pre y adolescente objeto de estudio. La cantidad de AF no se mostró como una variable de gran influencia sobre la autopercepción y la satisfacción corporal, al contrario que el IMC.

Associations between Self-Perceived and Desired Health-Related Physical Fitness in Spanish Children.

Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) has emerged as an important marker of health among children. It is usually defined as a multidimensional construct consisting of cardiorespiratory endurance; muscular strength and endurance; and flexibility. Currently, health policies are aimed at getting children to increase their HRPF levels. Understanding the relationship between the perceived and the desired levels of fitness can be important to avoid the abandoning of physical activity practice. We analyzed the associations between the self-perceived and the desired health-related physical fitness. A modified version of the self-perceived HRPF questionnaire was completed by 330 children (148 girls, mean age: 10.78 ± 0.67 years, and 182 boys, mean age: 10.82 ± 0.61 years). Fitness was measured through tests selected from the Eurofit battery. The questions regarding desired HRPF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's α: 0.671) and good test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.761). In general, children shared a desire to improve their self-perceived HRPF. Those who perceived themselves as already being fit were the ones who showed the strongest desire for achieving higher HRPF levels.