BODY IMAGE AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS

INSIGHTS FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL HEALTH SURVEY

Abstract

Growing concern about sedentary behavior and body image dissatisfaction among adolescents has motivated investigations within the school context. This study analyzed body image perception and sedentary behavior among 9th-grade students from the capital cities of the Southern region of Brazil, based on microdata from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) for the 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2019 cycles. This is a documentary, descriptive, and quantitative study using secondary data provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Variables examined included sedentary behavior (sitting time, screen time, physical activity practice, and activity level classification) and body image (self-perceived weight, attempts at body modification, and risk behaviors associated with weight control). The analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics with the application of sampling weights to ensure representativeness of the studied population. The results revealed a growing trend in sedentary behavior across the historical series, especially among female students. A high frequency of body dissatisfaction was observed, characterized by the perception of excess weight among girls and thinness among boys, in addition to the use of inadequate weight-control strategies such as fasting, laxatives, and non-prescribed medications. An increase in daily screen exposure exceeding three hours was also identified. These findings underscore the need for school Physical Education to expand its scope to encompass critical health promotion, discussions on body image, and mediation of the impacts of digital technologies on adolescents’ daily lives.