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Sports Participation from Childhood to Adolescence is Associated with Lower Body Dissatisfaction in Boys—A Sex-Specific Analysis

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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the association between body dissatisfaction and sports participation from childhood to adolescence in a school-based sample of adolescents, according to sex.

Methods

A total of 1011 adolescents of 13.1 ± 2.3 years of age were evaluated. Body dissatisfaction was assessed by the Silhouettes Scale and sports participation for at least one consecutive year was retrospectively assessed by closed specific questions related to childhood and adolescence periods. Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity were objectively measured. Habitual practice of physical activity (PA), socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity were assessed through questionnaires.

Results

Sports participation from childhood to adolescence was observed in 55.1% of boys and in 41.2% of girls. Boys with body dissatisfaction showed lower habitual PA in leisure time (Baecke score = 4.38 ± 2.27 vs. 5.15 ± 2.25, p < 0.05) and in total (Baecke score = 9.34 ± 2.64 vs. 9.96 ± 2.68, p < 0.05) than those who were satisfied. No differences were observed among girls. Sports participation from childhood to adolescence was associated with 42% less chance of having body dissatisfaction in boys (OR = 0.58 [95%CI = 0.36–0.94]). No significant association was observed among girls.

Conclusions for Practice

Sports participation from childhood to adolescence was negatively associated with body dissatisfaction in boys. The continuity of physical activity during youth may be an important modifiable factor to reduce body dissatisfaction.

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Funding

This study was funded in part by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES (Finance Code 001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post-Graduation Program in Movement Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Roberto Simonsen street, 305, Presidente Prudente, 19060-900, Brazil

    William R. Tebar, Leandro D. Delfino & Diego G. D. Christofaro

  2. Post-Graduation Program in Physiotherapy, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente, Brazil

    Fernanda C. S. Gil & Diego G. D. Christofaro

  3. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Brazil

    André O. Werneck

  4. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianopolis, Brazil

    Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Authors
  1. William R. Tebar
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  2. Fernanda C. S. Gil
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  3. André O. Werneck
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  4. Leandro D. Delfino
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  5. Diego Augusto Santos Silva
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  6. Diego G. D. Christofaro
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Contributions

Study design: WRT and DGDC; Data collection: WRT, FCSG, LDD; Data analysis: WRT, DGDC, AOW; Manuscript writing: WRT, AOW, DAS, DGDC.

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Correspondence to William R. Tebar.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval

This research project was previously approved by Ethics Research Committee of Sao Paulo State University, at protocol CAAE: 21600613.4.0000.5402.

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All participants gave their informed consent term signed by parents/guardians along with their own agreement to participate prior to their inclusion in the study.

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Tebar, W.R., Gil, F.C.S., Werneck, A.O. et al. Sports Participation from Childhood to Adolescence is Associated with Lower Body Dissatisfaction in Boys—A Sex-Specific Analysis. Matern Child Health J 25, 1465–1473 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03177-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03177-5

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