Body image and self-esteem in children according to their nutritional status and frequency of physical activity
Body image and self-esteem in children according to their nutritional status and frequency of physical activity
Authors
Delgado Floody, Pedro
Caamaño Navarrete, Felipe
Osorio, Aldo
Jerez, Daniel
Fuentes, Juan
Levin, Eduardo
Tapia, Juan
Caamaño Navarrete, Felipe
Osorio, Aldo
Jerez, Daniel
Fuentes, Juan
Levin, Eduardo
Tapia, Juan
Authors
Date
Datos de publicación:
REVISTA CHILENA DE NUTRICION,Vol.44,12-18,2017
Keywords
Collections
Abstract
Physical activity plays an important role in child development. The purpose of this study was to compare body image, self-esteem, cardio-metabolic risk and physical performance of children by nutritional status and frequency of physical activity. We studied 208 children (115 men and 93 women) 11.9 +/- 1.2 years of age. Participants were divided by frequency of physical activity per week: Group 1 (n=87) was not physically active; Group 2 (n=64) was physically active 1 or 2 times per week; Group 3 (n=57) was physically active 3 or 4 times a week. We observed that 51 children were overweight and 40 obese. Children who were physically active 3 or 4 times per week, were less concerned about their body image and had higher self-esteem scores (both p < 0.05). These children also reported lower cardio-metabolic risk and better physical performance. We conclude that there are overall developmental benefits for children who are more physically active.