Global Self-Esteem, Body Composition, and Physical Activity in Polish University Students

Nutrients. 2023 Sep 8;15(18):3907. doi: 10.3390/nu15183907.

Abstract

Global self-esteem is a psychological concept that refers to the overall assessment of oneself as a person of value. Body composition is measured by indices such as BMI, BF, and LBM, which have implications for health and self-esteem. Physical activity is associated with numerous health and self-esteem benefits. The purpose of this study focuses on assessing the relationship between global self-esteem, body composition, and physical activity among Polish students. The study was conducted on a group of 305 students between the ages of 19 and 26. The participants were divided into groups according to their level of physical activity. The SES scale by M. Rosenberg assessed the subjects' global self-esteem. The results showed a negative correlation between body weight and BMI and global self-esteem, that is, the higher the body weight, the lower the self-esteem. On the other hand, higher levels of physical activity were associated with higher global self-esteem. The study suggests that maintaining healthy physical activity and body composition can help improve global self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of physical activity for mental health and self-esteem. It is worth encouraging and promoting physical activity among students to support an individual's physical and emotional health. Ultimately, this study may have implications for health policy, education, and intervention for students to emphasize the importance of physical activity for self-esteem and overall health.

Keywords: body composition; global self-esteem; physical activity; self-esteem; students.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Composition*
  • Body Weight
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • Poland
  • Students*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.