Body Image and its Role in Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sports Medicine
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Youth sports participation offers numerous benefits, yet high attrition rates are observed, with most children dropping out by age 13.
• Understanding the reasons for sports dropout is crucial for developing effective interventions to promote lifelong physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the existing literature on the associations between body image, perceived physical competence, and sports attrition in children and adolescents.
• To identify age-specific factors contributing to sports dropout.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE databases.
• Studies included were full-text English articles focusing on body image or perceived competence and sports attrition in individuals 21 years and younger.
• Results were analyzed and organized by age groups.

Main Results:

• Children under 7 exhibit inflated self-perceptions and high participation regardless of skill.
• Between ages 7-10, children develop more accurate skill perception and peer comparison; elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) emerges as a deterrent (ages 6-11).
• Adolescents experience attrition due to teasing, gender identity issues (post-12 years), and body image concerns, which become more influential than actual skill.

Conclusions:

• Perceived physical competency and body image do not significantly impact sports attrition in children under 7.
• As children age, BMI, body image, and physical competency become increasingly significant factors in sports attrition.
• Body image emerges as a critical determinant for physical activity continuation in adolescence.