A comparative and correlational study of the body-image in active and inactive adults and with body composition and somatotype

The purpose of present study were to examine the effects of regular participation in physical activities on body image and its relationship with body composition and somatotype. One hundred and twenty men and women (25-65 years) were randomly selected and then divided into two active and inactive groups through the Median split technique based on the physical activities index scores. Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), which consisted of body fat, global physical and appearance sub-scales, were used. 2x2 MANCOVA (gender x group) with covariates of body fat percent and Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to analysis the data. The results show significant interaction (F = 3.55, p<0.01) for gender and group in body image sub-scales. Also, the results revealed inverse significant relationships between body image and body fat percent (r = -0.49, p<0.01), BMI (r = -0.38, p<0.01), endomorphy (r = -0.48, p<0.01) and mesomorphy (r = -0.38, p<0.01) and direct relationship with ectomorphy (r = 0.39, p<0.01). In conclusion, one`s attitude toward his/her body stems from his/her physical ability and size. In addition, active men have more positive body-image than women.