Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
2
Department of Physical Education, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran
10.30476/whb.2026.105220.1331
Abstract
Background: Early childhood is a critical period for the development of body image (BI) and healthy body composition (BC). Understanding how physical activity (PA) influences these factors in young girls can help guide interventions that promote longterm health and well-being. This study investigated the relationship between PA, BI, and BC in female children.
Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study. A total of 384 female children aged 10 to 12 in Ali-Abad-Katoul city, Golestan Province, Iran, in 2024 were selected through convenience sampling technique. ActiGraph accelerometer, the Body Image State Scale and the X-Scan plus-II were used for measuring PA, BI and BC, respectively. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the data.
Results: The average duration of daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was found to be 36.84±6.96 minutes, while the mean body mass index (BMI) was recorded at 18.00±1.35. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between MVPA and BI (r=0.540, P<0.001) as well as skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (r=0.429, P<0.001). Conversely, a significant negative association was observed between MVPA and both BMI (r=-0.639, P<0.001) and mass of body fat (MBF) (r=-0.508, P<0.001). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was identified between BMI and MBF with BI (r=-0.394, P<0.001 and r=-0.342, P<0.001, respectively), while SMM exhibited a positive and significant relationship with BI (r=0.417, P<0.001).
Conclusions: This study emphasized the importance of paying attention to lifestyle, especially PA, in female children. Given the general changes in lifestyle and the increasing tendency of people to use computers and watch television more, physical inactivity is considered an important problem from a health perspective.
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