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

Eliane A. Goicochea, Bruno Coloma-Naldos, Jeel Moya-Salazar (), Víctor Rojas-Zumaran, Jeel G. Moya-Espinoza and Hans Contreras-Pulache ()
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Eliane A. Goicochea: School of Medical Technologist, Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
Bruno Coloma-Naldos: School of Medical Technologist, Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
Jeel Moya-Salazar: School of Biomedicine, Faculties of Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 51001, Peru
Víctor Rojas-Zumaran: Pathology Department, Hospital Nacional Docente Madre Niño San Bartolomé, 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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-13

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.

Keywords: physical activity; body image; COVID-19 pandemic; university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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