Percezione del sé in età di sviluppo: il contributo dell’attività fisica, della sedentarietà e delle abitudini alimentari

In last years, the incorrect eating habits, the physical inactivity and the consequent sedentary behavior among children are one of the main problems for the Western society that may negatively affect the psychological well-being during childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among eating habits, physical activity levels, including sedentary behavior, and self-perception during childhood. Hundred twenty-one children of primary schools participated (mean age 8.95 ± 0.78 anni; F = 48.33%) in the study. The participants drew up the «Self-Description Questionnaire» (SDQ) and a self-report questionnaire concerning the life style of the children, about their alimentary, physical habits and sedentary. Hierarchical multiple regressions analyses highlight that age, gender, eating habits, phisical activity and sedentary levels explained the 16.8% variance for physical ability perception (R2 = 0.168; F(5.111) = 4.474; p = 0.001) and the 14.3% variance for global self-perception (R2 = 0.143; F(5.113) = 3.768; p = 0.003). The study underlines the contribution of eating habits and physical activity on the perception of physical abilities, the physical appearance and the global self-perception. The results underline as intervention projects in the schools might improve the life style and therefore increase the self-perception, an important aspect for the child’s psychological well-being.