| The Influence of Body Mass Index on Adolescent' Enjoyment of Physical Activity |
| Paper ID : 1621-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Alireza Rostami Zaveleh *1, Habib Allah Azarhazin2, Sedighe Safikhani3 1Department of Sports Psychology, Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Tehran 2Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. 3Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of nutritional status, influences physical activity behaviors and psychological aspects such as enjoyment of participation. The present study aims to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index and enjoyment of physical activity among Iranian schoolboys. In line with the congress theme, “Knowledge to Action: Advancing Sport Sciences through Technology,” this study also proposes technology-based interventions to enhance enjoyment in physical activity. The study population consisted of 120 male students aged 12 to 15 years from elementary schools in Iran. Participants were categorized into four groups based on BMI: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Enjoyment of physical activity was assessed using the 18-item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES; α = 0.87). Physical literacy was evaluated as a control variable. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and one-way ANOVA, conducted using Pandas and SciPy (p < 0.05). The mean enjoyment scores were 66.2 ± 12.2 for the underweight group, 67.3 ± 8.7 for the normal-weight group, 69.2 ± 11.0 for the overweight group, and 67.9 ± 10.2 for the obese group. The correlation between BMI and enjoyment was weak and non-significant (r = 0.04, p = 0.67), whereas a strong positive correlation was observed between enjoyment and physical literacy (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). ANOVA indicated no significant group differences (F = 0.42, p = 0.74). However, higher physical literacy (mean = 92.7) appeared to moderate the relationship, enhancing enjoyment of physical activity. BMI showed only a weak influence on enjoyment, whereas physical literacy played a crucial role. These findings align with international research, emphasizing the importance of technology-based educational programs in schools. In line with the congress theme, this study proposes gamified exergaming software to enhance enjoyment among high-risk groups, potentially reducing obesity prevalence by up to 20%. |
| Keywords |
| Adolescents, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity Enjoyment, Physical Literacy, Sport Sciences |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
