The association between body composition, physical activity, and body image among Costa Rican models and controls

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the association between body composition, physical activity and body image (BI) among Costa Rican models and controls. Participants were female (n = 35) and male (n = 18) models and female (n = 40) and male (n = 42) controls. Participants underwent body composition assessments, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and gender-specific BI scales. Body fat % (BF%) was lower in models than controls and lower in males than females (p ≤ 0.001). BI was similar between female models and controls and between male models and controls. Males showed higher physical activity (PA) levels than females (p = 0.001). Significant correlations were found between weekly PA and BF% (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, Costa Rican models are taller and presented lower BF% than controls. Males were more physically active than females and BI perception was similar between genders and groups.