The role of physical activity, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence represents a transitional period which is marked by physical, social and psychological changes. Changes in body shape and physical activity especially alter and shape the psychological well-being of adolescents. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of physical activity level, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perception and self-esteem of 11-18 years old adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1012 adolescents participated in this study. The "Social Physique Anxiety Scale", "Body Image Satisfaction Scale", "Physical Self-Perception Profile for Children" and "Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory" were administered. Physical activity level and body mass index were assessed using the "Physical Activity Questionnaire" and "Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer", respectively. RESULTS: Regression analysis indicated that body mass index was the only predictor of perceived body attractiveness, social physique anxiety, body image satisfaction and self-esteem for female adolescents. For male adolescents, both physical activity and body mass index were correlated with perceived body attractiveness and social physique anxiety. Pubertal status were not correlated with self-esteem and body-related perceptions for both males and females adolescents. CONCLUSION: In summary, body mass index and physical activity plays an important role in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents.

Effects of step aerobics and aerobic dancing on serum lipids and lipoproteins.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effect of 8 weeks of step aerobics and aerobic dancing on blood lipids and lipoproteins. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Comparative training. SETTING: Two months of physical fitness program. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five sedentary female college student volunteers randomly assigned to one of the three groups as step aerobics (n=15), aerobic dancing (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The step aerobics and aerobic dancing groups participated in sessions of 45 min per day, 3 days per week for 8 weeks with 60-70 percent of their heart rate reserve. MEASURES: Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C), the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC:HDL-C). RESULTS: At the end of the 8 week period, a significant difference has been found between the step aerobics group and the control group and between the aerobic dancing group and the control group in TC levels (F[2,44]=8.38; p<0.01). A significant difference in HDL-C levels (F[2,44]=3.65; p<0.05) and TC:HDL-C ratio (F[2,44]=11.56; p<0.01) has been found only between the step aerobics group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that step aerobics training is an effective training mode for modifying lipid and lipoprotein profiles of female college-aged students.