RESUMO
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 (ß = 0.29, p < 0.01) and direct effects on body dissatisfaction (ß = -0.26, p < 0.01) and physical self-concept (ß = 0.20, p < 0.01). BMI had a direct effect on body dissatisfaction (ß = 0.31, p < 0.01) and on physical self-concept (ß = -0.10, p < 0.01) and an indirect effect on general self-concept (ß = -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.
RESUMO
En este trabajo de investigación se examinan las diferencias en los distintos dominios del autoconcepto físico en función del tipo de práctica físicodeportiva y la motivación hacia ésta, incidiendo especialmente en el atractivo físico. En la investigación participaron 894 adolescentes españoles entre 12 y 17 años a los que se les administraron el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico (CAF) y el Cuestionario de Motivos de Práctica Deportiva. Los resultados permitieron comprobar cómo el autoconcepto físico fue significativamente menor, particularmente en las mujeres, en aquellas prácticas dónde es importante el factor estético o se practican con vistas a mejorar la apariencia física. Las practicantes de este tipo de actividades físicodeportivas presentaron un autoconcepto físico y general más devaluado, especialmente en la escala de atractivo físico. Además, para las mujeres, las motivaciones estéticas hacia la práctica se asociaron a peores percepciones físicas y de autoconcepto general. Todo ello hace vincular el autoconcepto físico, el tipo de práctica y los motivos hacia ella con la insatisfacción corporal en las mujeres adolescentes.
The aim of this study was to analyze differences among physical self-concept domains according to the kind of physical activity and the reasons that motivate it, giving special consideration of physical attractiveness as a self-concept domain. Two questionnaires (Physical Self-concept Questionnaire, CAF, and Motives of practicing sport Questionnaire) were administered to 894 teenagers aged 12-17. Results show physical self-concept is significantly lower, mainly in women, in those sports in which the aesthetic factor is relevant or is practiced in order to improve physical appearance. In these sports both general and physical self-concept were more devalued, especially in the attractive body scale. What is more, women participating in this study presented aesthetic motivations linked to worse physical perception and general self-concept. Subsequently, self-concept, the kind of practise and motivation are linked to teenage women body dissatisfaction.
