Are Adolescent Body Image Concerns Associated with Health-Compromising Physical Activity Behaviours?

The present study aimed to assess the-prevalence of health-compromising eating and physical activity behaviours, and to test their associations with physical activity, internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, and body image in a sample of adolescents of both genders. A total sample of 736 adolescents (437 or 59.4% were girls) participated in the study. The participants ranged in age from 16 to 19 years (x = 17.2, SD = 0.6). The sample completed a questionnaire measuring body mass index, the risk of eating disorders, body image, internalisation of sociocultural ideals of appearance, health-compromising eating behaviours (HCEB), and health-compromising weight control related to physical activity behaviours (HCPAB). Logistic regressions were used to assess the associations between the study variables and predictors of HCEB and HCPAB. The results of the study showed a relatively high prevalence of HCEB with a significantly higher prevalence in girls and participants with a higher BMI. The study also demonstrated that the prevalence of adolescent HCPAB was higher than HCEB. The internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and body image concerns were higher in the HCEB and HCPAB groups. Female gender (OR = 1.88; 95% PI = 1.10-3.18), HCPAB (OR = 1.19; 95% PI = 1.10-1.28), a preoccupation with being overweight (OR = 3.43; 95% PI = 2.52-4.66), and body weight evaluation as too high (OR = 2.40; 95% PI = 1.57-3.68) were significant predictors of HCEB. More frequent physical activity (OR = 3.02; 95% PI = 1.76-5.17), HCEB (OR = 1.22; 95% PI = 1.11-1.32), and perceived pressures to conform to popular beauty ideals (OR = 1.51; 95% PI = 1.12-2.03) predicted higher HCPAB. HCPAB is an important variable associated with adolescents' body image, physical activity, and weight control. The results of the present study are important for health promotion and education programs addressing adolescents' healthy lifestyle, weight control, and body image concerns.