The moderating effect of sex and age on the pattern of body image by pre-adolescents and adolescents and its relationship with the time they spend doing sports

Abstract

[Abstract] The cult of the body has become a universal phenomenon, and many adolescents feel frustrated and disappointed with their own bodies for not matching the prevailing beauty standards. An empirical-quantitative cross-sectional investigation was carried out to understand perspectives of body image among Spanish youngsters of both sexes in three evolutionary substages (pre-adolescence, early adolescence, and middle adolescence) in the four factors that make up the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire adapted to Spanish pre-adolescents and adolescents (MBSRQ-SA-a) and their relationship with the time that they spend partaking in extracurricular sports. The results show that both boys and girls do not consider physical activity as an instrument to improve health. On the other hand, girls differ from boys regarding a more unstable and convulsive pattern of body image, characterized by a disconnect between physical activity and satisfaction with body image, where weight loss diets could acquire greater relevance. This research demonstrates two things: first, that the MBSRQ-SA-a is a valid instrument to assess the body image pattern of adolescents, and second, that it opens the possibility of being able to identify adolescents who are at risk (physical, psychological, social); therefore, it is also capable of helping to prevent dramatic results and protecting the Sustainable Personal Development of adolescents.