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

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.