RESUMO
Abstract Objective: Body image is a predictor of physical, psychological, and social health. Therefore, it can be an indicator for detecting health problems, to be used in the context of higher education. The aim of this study was to assess body image satisfaction in higher education students and to determine whether body image dissatisfaction is related to lifestyle behaviours and life satisfaction. Methodology: This study included 166 Portuguese higher education students. Body image was assessed using the Figure Rating Scale. Active choices during everyday life were assessed using the Active Choice Index. The questionnaire also included questions about sleep behaviour and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Satisfaction with Life was assessed using a five-item scale previously adapted for the Portuguese population. Results: There was a predominance of boys dissatisfied with thinness (26.10%), while the majority of girls revealed that they were dissatisfied due to being overweight (55.70%). The results indicate statistically significant differences between boys and girls in terms of body image categories (p<0.001). However, when we analysed the behaviours separately according to gender, there were no differences. Active behaviours, as well as the other health behaviours analysed (hours of sleep per week and alcohol and tobacco consumption) did not differ between the different levels of body image satisfaction (p>0.05). Conclusion: Most of the students are dissatisfied with their body image, with the majority of girls showing dissatisfaction due to being overweight. Lifestyles and life satisfaction do not differ between students who are satisfied and those who are dissatisfied with their body image.
Resumen Objetivo: La imagen corporal es un factor predictivo de la salud psicológica, física y social. Por lo tanto, puede ser un indicador para detectar problemas de salud, para utilizar en el contexto de la educación superior. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción con la imagen corporal en estudiantes de enseñanza superior y determinar si la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal está relacionada con los comportamientos de estilo de vida y la satisfacción con la vida. Metodología: En este estudio participaron 166 estudiantes portugueses de enseñanza superior. La imagen corporal se evaluó mediante la escala Figure Rating Scale. Las elecciones activas durante la vida cotidiana se evaluaron mediante el Active Choice Index. El cuestionario también incluía preguntas sobre el comportamiento durante el sueño y el consumo de tabaco y alcohol. La satisfacción con la vida se evaluó mediante una escala de cinco ítems previamente adaptada a la población portuguesa. Resultados: Predominaron los chicos insatisfechos por delgadez (26.10%), mientras que la mayoría de las chicas revelaron estar insatisfechas por sobrepeso (55.70%). Los resultados indican diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre chicos y chicas en cuanto a las categorías de imagen corporal (p<0.001). Sin embargo, al analizar los comportamientos por separado en función del sexo, no se observaron diferencias. Las conductas activas, así como las demás conductas de salud analizadas (horas de sueño semanales y consumo de alcohol y tabaco) no difirieron entre los distintos niveles de satisfacción con la imagen corporal (p>0.05). Conclusiones: La mayoría de los estudiantes están insatisfechos con su imagen corporal, siendo mayoritaria la insatisfacción de las chicas por sobrepeso. Los estilos de vida y la satisfacción vital no difieren entre los alumnos satisfechos y los insatisfechos con su imagen corporal.
RESUMO
Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties and to examine the factorial validity of the Portuguese version of the Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment (Q-SPACE) for school-age youth. The translated and adapted version of the questionnaire was applied and resulted in two studies: study I, in which 504 students participated (56% boys), the factorial structure of the scale was examined; in study II, which involved 501 students (53.5% boys), the factorial structure obtained in study I was tested through confirmatory factor analysis. The results of the exploratory factorial analysis, carried out in study I, showed that the Portuguese version of the Q-SPACE is composed of five factors that characterize the students' perception regarding the social and physical school environment for physical activity: equipment and space conditions; recess; school social support; physical education structure; school activity offer. Internal consistency values ranged from 0.60 to 0.89. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the applicability of the Portuguese Q-SPACE version, presenting adequate fit indexes: χ2/df = 2.90, GFI = 0.92; CFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.06. In conclusion, Q-SPACE showed acceptable validity and reliability for assessing school physical activity environment in Portuguese adolescents.
Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as propriedades psicométricas e examinar a validade fatorial da versão portuguesa do instrumento "Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment" (Q-SPACE) para jovens em idade escolar. A versão traduzida e adaptada da escala foi aplicada e resultaram dois estudos: no estudo I, em que participaram 504 estudantes (56% eram rapazes), foi examinada a estrutura fatorial da escala; no estudo II, em que participaram 501 estudantes (53.5% eram rapazes), foi testada a estrutura fatorial obtida no estudo I através da análise fatorial confirmatória. O resultado da análise fatorial exploratória, efetuada no estudo I, demonstrou que a versão portuguesa da escala Q-SPACE é constituída por cinco fatores que caraterizam a perceção dos estudantes relativamente ao ambiente social e físico escolar para a prática de atividade física: condições dos espaços e material; intervalos; suporte social escolar; organização da educação física; diversidade de atividades. Os valores de consistência interna variaram entre 0.60 e 0.89. A análise fatorial confirmatória, comprovou a aplicabilidade da versão portuguesa do Q-SPACE, apresentando adequados índices de ajustamento: χ2/df = 2.90, GFI = 0.92; CFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.06. Em conclusão, a escala Q-SPACE demonstrou uma validade e fiabilidade adequadas para avaliar a perceção do ambiente escolar para a prática de atividade física em adolescentes portugueses.