Introduction: University students generally have low levels of physical activity, which could affect the body weight and composition and the knowledge and acceptance of their own body.
Objective: To assess weight status and body composition, as well as self-perception and satisfaction with body weight in university students, and to analyze the influence of sport practice and physical exercise on these variables.
Methods: A sample of 62 male students with a mean age of 20.7+/-1.7 years was evaluated. Sport practice and physical exercise in leisure time were analyzed by questionnaire. Weight status and body composition were assessed by anthropometry. Data about self-reported and desired weight and self-reported height were also registered. Measurements of actual, self-reported and desired weight were used to estimate self- perception and satisfaction with weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0.
Results: Overall 17.7% of participants had overweight and 6.5% underweight. The energy consumption due to sport practice and/or physical exercise was ≤ 3,000 kcal/ week in the 45.2% of the students and > 3,000 kcal/week in the 32.3%. Self-perception and satisfaction with weight was better in the group who practiced sport and/or physical exercise at the rate of ≤ 3.000 kcal/week than in those who did not practice any sport or exercise (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Regular practice of sport or physical exercise is associated with a better self-perception and satisfaction with body weight compared with a sedentary lifestyle. The university studies period should be used to promote sport practice and physical exercise, using the resources or assets of the University.
Introducción: Los jovenes universitarios presentan en general niveles bajos de actividad fisica, lo que podria repercutir en su peso y composicion corporal y en el conocimiento y aceptacion de su propio cuerpo. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de peso y la composicion corporal, asi como la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal en universitarios, y analizar la influencia de la actividad fisico-deportiva sobre estas variables. Métodos: La muestra estuvo formada por 62 estudiantes varones con una edad media de 20,7+/-1,7 anos. La practica de deporte y/o ejercicio fisico en el tiempo libre se analizo mediante cuestionario. El estado de peso y la composicion corporal se evaluaron mediante antropometria. Tambien se registraron datos de peso autodeclarado y deseado, y de talla autodeclarada. Las medidas de peso real, autodeclarado y deseado se utilizaron para estimar la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso. El analisis estadistico se realizo con el programa SPSS version 22.0. Resultados: El 17,7% de los participantes presentaba sobrepeso y el 6,5% bajo peso. El 45,2% tenia un gasto por el deporte y/o ejercicio fisico ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana y el 32,3% > 3.000 kcal/semana. La autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso fue mejor en el grupo que practicaba deporte y/o ejercicio fisico a razon de ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana, que en aquellos que no practicaban ningun ejercicio fisico o deporte (P < 0,05). Conclusión: La practica regular de actividad fisicodeportiva moderada esta relacionada con una mejor percepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal, en comparacion con el sedentarismo. Deberia aprovecharse el periodo de estudios universitarios para fomentar la practica de ejercicio fisico-deportivo, empleando los recursos o activos con los que cuenta la Universidad.
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