physical self-concent,body mass index,and physical activity level among college students

Subject Areas : روان درمانگری

Zahra Fathi Rezaee ¹ , Karym Salehzadeh ² , Seyyed Hojat. Z. Sani ³ , Khosro Sadr Haghighi ⁴

1 - PhD Candidate Shahid Beheshti University
2 - Islamic Azad University Maragheh Branch
3 - PhD Candidate Shahid Beheshti University
4 - PhD Islamic Azad University Maragheh Branch

Received: 2015-06-03 Accepted : 2015-06-03 Published : 2011-09-23

Keywords: student, sex, physical self-concept, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index,

Abstract :

this study was conducted to investigate physical self- concept, Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity level among college students. Two hundred and twenty one college students (111 females, 110 males) between the ages of 18 and 26 were selected by stratified random sampling and divided into two groups (active and inactive) based on their physical activity levels. The participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ; Marsh, 1996). Results indicated that (1) there was a statistical significant difference between females and males in the overall physical self concept and the body mass index, (2) there were statistical significant differences between females and males, and between active and inactive groups in the physical activity, sports competence, appearance, strength and endurance subscales, and (3) the subscales of physical self-concept (health, physical activity, body fat, endurance, self-esteem), body mass index and sex predicted levels of physical activity. It is suggested that students engaging in physical activity, not only benefit physically, they also experience psychological benefits, such as enhanced physical self concept.