Body image, BMI, and physical activity in girls and boys aged 14-16 years

Adam Kantanista; Wiesław Osiński; Joanna Borowiec; Maciej Tomczak; Magdalena Król-Zielińska

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.05.001

Body image, BMI, and physical activity in girls and boys aged 14-16 years

Body Image. 2015 Sep:15:40-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.05.001. Epub 2015 Jun 2.

Authors

Adam Kantanista¹, Wiesław Osiński², Joanna Borowiec², Maciej Tomczak², Magdalena Król-Zielińska²

Affiliations

¹ University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: adam.kantanista@gmail.com.
² University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland.

PMID: 26047066
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.05.001

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body image, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity in adolescents. The study included 1702 girls and 1547 boys aged 14-16 years. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was evaluated by the Physical Activity Screening Measure. Body image was assessed using the Feelings and Attitudes Towards the Body Scale, and participants' BMI was determined based on measured height and weight. Compared to boys, girls reported more negative body image (p<.05). The results of the three-way hierarchical regression revealed that body image was a statistically significant positive predictor of MVPA for adolescents, regardless of BMI. Additionally, body image was a stronger predictor of MVPA in boys than in girls. These findings suggest that body image, rather than BMI, is important in undertaking physical activity in adolescents and should be considered when preparing programs aimed at improving physical activity.

Keywords: Adolescents; BMI; Body image; Physical activity.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attitude to Health
Body Image / psychology*
Body Mass Index*
Body Weight
Exercise / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Poland