Association between the practice of fitness-related exercises and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents from Curitiba (PR), Brazil

• Published in: Revista Paulista de Pediatria Vol. 43
• Main Authors: Dutra, Rinelly Pazinato, Castro, Yasmin Marques, Almeida, Maria Eduarda Santos de, Pedrozo, Letícia Lamberty, Sousa, João Venícios Tavares de, Bastos, Murilo, Campos, Wagner de, Silva, Michael Pereira da
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo 2025
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body dissatisfaction; Body image; Logistic models; Original; Physical exercise; Physical fitness
• ISSN: 0103-0582; 1984-0462
• DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2025/43/2023221

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between participation in fitness-related exercises (FRE) and body image dissatisfaction (BID) in adolescents and evaluate the interaction between physical exercise and nutritional status in this association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 involving 799 adolescents (10–16 years old) from 14 public schools in Curitiba (PR), Brazil. BID was assessed using the Body Shape Questionnaire and the Silhouette Scale. The FRE was classified as “does not practice,” “practices ≤300 min/week,” and “practices >300 min/week” by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Poisson and multinomial logistic regressions, adjusted for sex, sexual maturation, and nutritional status analyzed the association of FRE and BID. Results: The BID prevalence was 28.3%; 52.4% of the adolescents wanted to reduce their silhouettes; and 48.7% did not practice FRE. Adolescents who practiced FRE >300 min/week had a 28% higher prevalence for some level of BID (PR 1.28; 95%CI 1.08–1.52) and a 46% lower chance of wanting to reduce silhouettes (OR 0.54; 95%CI 0.35–0.82), compared to nonpractitioners. There was no interaction between FRE and nutritional status in association with BID. Conclusions: The adolescents who practice FRE >300 min/week are likely to have some level of BID and are less likely to report the desire to increase their silhouettes, regardless of their nutritional status. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a participação em exercícios físicos relacionados ao fitness (EFRF) e a insatisfação com a imagem corporal (IIC) em adolescentes e avaliar a interação entre os exercícios físicos e o estado nutricional nesta associação. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em 2015 com 799 adolescentes (10 a 16 anos) de 14 escolas públicas de Curitiba (PR), Brasil. A IIC foi avaliada por meio do Body Shape Questionnaire e da Escala de Silhuetas. A participação em EFRF foi avaliada pelo Questionário de Atividade Física para Adolescentes e classificada em “não pratica”, “pratica ≤300 minutos/semana” e “pratica >300 minutos/semana”. As regressões de Poisson e logística multinomial, ajustadas por sexo, maturação sexual e estado nutricional, analisaram a associação entre EFRF e IIC. Resultados: A prevalência de IIC foi de 28,3%; 52,4% dos adolescentes queriam reduzir a silhueta e 48,7% não praticavam a EFRF. Adolescentes que praticavam EFRF >300 minutos/semana tiveram prevalência 28% maior para algum nível de IIC (razão de prevalência — RP 1,28; intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC95% 1,08–1,52) e chance 46% menor de querer reduzir silhuetas (OR 0,54; 95IC% 0,35–0,82), comparados aos não praticantes. Não houve interação entre os EFRF e o estado nutricional na associação com IIC. Conclusões: Os adolescentes que praticam EFRF >300 minutos/semana estão mais propensos a apresentar algum nível de IIC e têm menores chances de reportar o desejo de aumentar silhuetas, independentemente do estado nutricional.