Percepción de la imágen corporal y variables relacionadas en alumnado de primaria

Abstract

Body image has been studied in adults and adolescents, finding great body dissatisfaction among them. Some studies suggest as the appearance of this dissatisfaction start before adolescence. The aim of this study was to know the perception of body image, body mass index and physical activity in Spanish children of Guadiana Area. The second aim was to know the relationship between this variable and also between demographic factors (sex and age). A sample of 1.055 students from the first education (527 girls and 528 boys, M=8,21; DT=1,30) belonging to the 11 surrounding schools. The results showed that 56,8% of the subjects are unsatisfied with this body image. The satisfied students tends to manifest good levels of physical activity (52.4%), in contrast to those with bad levels (44.2%). In spite of, the physical activity practiced for students is less than the recommended. The boys practice significantly more physical activity than girls (t (1034) =2.202, p< .05, d= .13, tamaño insignificante). The 31% of the sample have overweight or obesity, what was significantly associated with body image (4, n = 933) = 172.379, p< .001). The results show that corporal unsatisfied is a real problem from childhood and as physical activity can be a good way to prevent. Despite, children (especially girls) practice slower level of physical activity and body mass index higher than is recommended.