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. 2023 Feb 12;20(4):3213.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043213.

Body Image and Physical Activity and the Diet of Polish Youth Aged 15-18

Ewelina Łebek  1 , Andrzej Knapik  2
Affiliations

Body Image and Physical Activity and the Diet of Polish Youth Aged 15-18

Ewelina Łebek et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Adolescence is a crucial stage in the biological, psychological, and social development of humans. During this period, perceptions of one's body and behaviors are formed. The aim of the study was to investigate body image (BI) and its relationship with physical activity and selected eating habits in adolescents. The study included 312 people (102 girls (32.69%) and 210 boys (67.31%)) aged 15-18. As many as 40% of the girls and 27% of the boys reported feeling dissatisfied with their body mass. BI was negatively perceived by the adolescents, with girls being more critical than boys. Lack of acceptance of one's body mass negatively affects overall BI in girls, and only the functional aspects in boys. Negative perception of body mass in girls does not motivate them to increase physical activity but rather causes them to adopt dietary restrictions.

Keywords: adolescent; body image; eating behavior; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of meals and dieting—comparison by gender.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of girls not accepting their body mass and girls accepting their body mass.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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