Objective: The aim of this research was to study the mediation of body dissatisfaction, physical self-concept, and body mass index (BMI) on the relationship between physical activity and self-concept in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A sample of 652 Spanish students between 12 and 17 years participated in a cross-sectional study. Physical self-concept and general self-concept were assessed with the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (CAF), body dissatisfaction with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and physical activity was estimated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). BMI was utilized as a measurement of body composition. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the results. Results: The resulting models showed good fit indexes. Final model for all participants explained the 17% of the variance of body dissatisfaction, 57% of physical self-concept, and 60% of general self-concept. Physical activity had a positive and indirect effect on self-concept ( β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and direct effects on body dissatisfaction ( β = −0.26, p < 0.01) and physical self-concept ( β = 0.20, p < 0.01). BMI had a direct effect on body dissatisfaction ( β = 0.31, p < 0.01) and on physical self-concept ( β = −0.10, p < 0.01) and an indirect effect on general self-concept ( β = −0.24, p < 0.01). However, it was only associated with physical activity in males, playing a mediating role between physical activity and body dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Physical activity can help individuals to achieve a positive self-concept and promote psychological well-being in adolescents through the improvement of physical perceptions and body satisfaction. The importance of BMI, body dissatisfaction, and physical self-concept on the configuration of the self-concept is also emphasized. Educational policymakers and Physical Education teachers should implement strategies to promote physical activity in the schools and provide a Quality Physical Education programs to increase physical activity during adolescence.

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The aim of this study was to assess the differences in body dissatisfaction (BD) of male and female adolescents by body max index (BMI) and the quantity, type and organisation of physical activity (PA). To do so, 652 adolescents aged 12–17 years participated in a cross-sectional study. The cognitive-affective component of BD was assessed with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the perceptual component with Gardner’s scale for the assessment of, body image (BI). PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the item 1 from the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The results show that sex and BMI are key variables when determining BD. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was moderately associated with a greater body satisfaction in males but no association was found between BD and the participation and organisation of PA. Moreover, the results suggest that participants in aesthetic/lean PA are at a higher risk of suffering from BD than participants in other PA types. These findings provide useful information for the design of programmes promoting healthy lifestyles, weight control and BI concern during the school period.

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El presente trabajo describe la propuesta e impacto de un programa basado en la aplicación integrada del Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS) en el Modelo de Educación Deportiva (MED), en la creación de facilitadores para la transición de Educación Primaria (EP) a Educación Secundaria (ES). La muestra estuvo compuesta por seis docentes, 142 estudiantes de sexto curso de EP y 64 de ES. Se creó una red deportiva de centros según los preceptos del MED y se utilizó la red social educativa Edmodo para la coordinación de los elementos competitivos y el incremento de contacto social entre el alumnado. La percepción del alumnado y docentes se recogió mediante cuestionarios, grupos focales y autoinformes. Los resultados mostraron que docentes y alumnado percibieron que se consiguieron los objetivos en cuanto a los facilitadores para la transición, así como satisfacción con la metodología utilizada.