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Physical Activity and Body Image Perceived by University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Eliane A. Goicochea

    (School of Medical Technologist, Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Bruno Coloma-Naldos

    (School of Medical Technologist, Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jeel Moya-Salazar

    (School of Biomedicine, Faculties of Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
    South American Center for Research in Public Health and Education, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 51001, Peru)

  • Víctor Rojas-Zumaran

    (Pathology Department, Hospital Nacional Docente Madre Niño San Bartolomé, Lima 51001, Peru
    Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima 51001, Peru)

  • Jeel G. Moya-Espinoza

    (Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima 51001, Peru)

  • Hans Contreras-Pulache

    (South American Center for Research in Public Health and Education, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 51001, Peru)

Abstract

Our objective was to assess the perception of body image and physical activity in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 74,270 papers found on 13 search engines between 12 August 2020, and 2 November 2021, we identified six studies (n = 1392 and 1097 were women). We found several results on the perception of both variables during the pandemic. First, physical activity tended to decrease or have negative changes, either because they dedicated less time to it, decreased the type of intensity or because they dedicated more time to sedentary activities. In addition, women were more physically active than men, since men perceived a decrease in their levels of physical activity. Secondly, there were also slight changes in the perception of body image; several students perceived that they gained weight and others had an increase in their BMI. It is even noted that those who were physically active or who were older in the population studied had a better perception of their actual physical condition. Similarly, we found that a concern for body image and even negative changes in the perception of appearance during confinement were reported. In conclusion, we found changes in the perception of physical activity and body image in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Eliane A. Goicochea & Bruno Coloma-Naldos & Jeel Moya-Salazar & Víctor Rojas-Zumaran & Jeel G. Moya-Espinoza & Hans Contreras-Pulache, 2022. "Physical Activity and Body Image Perceived by University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16498-:d:997744
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    2. Daniel Reyes-Molina & Jesús Alonso-Cabrera & Gabriela Nazar & Maria Antonia Parra-Rizo & Rafael Zapata-Lamana & Cristian Sanhueza-Campos & Igor Cigarroa, 2022. "Association between the Physical Activity Behavioral Profile and Sedentary Time with Subjective Well-Being and Mental Health in Chilean University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Iker Sáez & Josu Solabarrieta & Isabel Rubio, 2020. "Physical Self-Concept, Gender, and Physical Condition of Bizkaia University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Maria Ferrara & Elisa Langiano & Lavinia Falese & Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Cristina Cortis & Elisabetta De Vito, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    5. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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