Analysis of Adolescent Physical Activity Levels and Their Relationship with Body Image and Nutritional Habits

Abstract

The main objective of this research article was to make a cluster analysis in Compulsory Secondary Education students with regard to their physical activity levels, their relationship with nutritional habits and body perception. In this study, a total of 1089 students participated, to whom a battery of tests was given in order to assess three aspects: levels of physical activity, food consumption habits and perception of body image. The main results indicated that the adolescent sample presented high levels of physical activity in comparison with other studies. In addition, a profile analysis was carried out, showing that there were no differences in physical activity, in nutritional habits or in body-image index. Taking into account gender, women who practice light physical activity had better nutritional habits. On the other hand, boys dominated in the group of moderate-to-high physical activity, while the girls were mainly included in the profile of low physical activity. Finally, body-image index was greater in men than women. It was concluded that is necessary to promote the importance of adequate nutritional habits in addition to physical activity, and it is necessary to promote body image, particularly among adolescent girls, given their low values of physical activity and worse body-image perception in relation to boys.

The Importance of Healthy Habits to Compensate for Differences between Adolescent Males and Females in Anthropometric, Psychological and Physical Fitness Variables

“…According to the first specific objective, to establish the differences between male and female adolescents in anthropometric and derived variables, psychological state, and physical fitness, the results of the present study are similar to those found in previous studies. Adolescent males showed a higher level of physical activity than females, in line with previous research [ 7 , 17 ]. With respect to physical fitness, males obtained higher scores in all the variables analyzed, except for the sit-and-reach test, corroborating the results of previous research [ 10 , 73 ].…”

“…In addition, physical activity during adolescence plays a key role [ 15 ] in the maintenance of an active lifestyle during adulthood, as well as in the acquisition of other healthy lifestyle habits and the prevention of harmful lifestyle habits [ 16 ]. Furthermore, previous research has shown differences between males and females in the level of physical activity [ 7 ], with males practicing sports to a greater extent and with greater intensity than females [ 17 ].…”

Barriers to Physical Activity among Full-Time Students: A Case Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…We applied the "Barriers to Physical Activity" questionnaire [36] and the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)" [37][38][39][40]. In addition, specific questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were included in this questionnaire portion of our study.…”