Self-concept profiles: differences in body satisfaction, body mass index and physical activity in school children

Abstract

The aims of the present study has been to identify different groups of students, with homogeneous profiles, for the different dimensions that make up the physical self-concept, and to establish differences in relation to body dissatisfaction, body mass index, and physical activity. A total of 303 adolescents, male (150) and female (152), aged between 10-13 years (M = 11.74) belonging to different primary education centers participated in the study. The PSPP questionnaire was used for the evaluation of physical self-concept, Stunkard figures for body satisfaction, BMI, and the PAQ-A questionnaire for the evaluation of physical activity. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, cluster analysis, and ANOVA of a factor were made to establish differences between the variables. The results showed the establishment of 4 different profiles in relation to the different dimensions of the physical self-concept. Likewise, significant differences were shown between BMI, physical activity, and body satisfaction between profiles derived from self-concept. As a conclusion, 4 different profiles are established regarding the dimensions of physical self-concept among which there are differences around BMI, levels of FA, and body satisfaction.