Lifestyles and self-image in students from official colleges in Chía, Cundinamarca

Abstract

DOI: 10.1016/j.rcpe.2015.03.001

Introduction

This study was conducted in order to observe lifestyles of schoolchildren as regards hygiene, diet, physical activity and use of free time and to determine levels of self-concept and the relationship with lifestyles.

Objective

To determine the frequency of lifestyles and self-concept and their relationship in schoolchildren from 8 to 12 years living in Chía, Cundinamarca.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 on a population of children aged 8-12 years from third to fifth grade, in the municipality of Chía, Cundinamarca. The tools used were Healthy Living Habits Questionnaire with 32 questions, divided into 6 sections: institutional identification, student identification, family identification, physical activity and use of leisure time, healthy and unhealthy eating, personal hygiene; and Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, with 80 items divided into six domains: behavioral, intellectual and school status, physical appearance and attributes, anxiety, popularity, happiness and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were performed, including bivariate analysis to establish the relationship between levels of self-concept and the life styles variables established.

Results

A total of 243 schoolchildren were surveyed, of whom 46.5% were girls. An analysis of the variables showed that 47.7% consume 5 meals a day; 39.5% practice sports 2-3 times per week, and 44.6% practice sport for over an hour. Over 80% washed their teeth once a day and used toothpaste. Self-concept levels are moderately high, except in the “anxiety” domain, which showed a mean of 63.4%. There is a relationship between the level of self-concept and personal hygiene, and among medium level of anxiety and never practicing sports (P=.001).

Conclusions

Although overall eating habits of the children studied are healthy, frequency and duration of physical activity is lower than recommended. The added time using computers, videogames and television exposes them to the risk of physical inactivity and overweight. Most of the children studied have a moderately high and medium self-concept, which can promote the development of healthy lifestyles.