title: Physical activity, body composition and physical self-esteem: a 3-year follow-up study among adolescents in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure physical activity by means of daily pedometer steps, body composition, expressed as body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance as percent body fat, and perceived physical self-esteem and additionally, to evaluate eventual predictors for a healthy lifestyle i.e., highly physically active, normal weighted and a high physical self-esteem in a follow-up group.
  
  
  METHODS
  During autumn 2000 physical activity level was assessed and BMI was calculated in 871 children aged 7-14 in south eastern Sweden and in 501 of these, physical self-esteem were also assessed. During autumn 2003 a total of 375 adolescents aged 15-18 were assessed using the same methodology and additionally percent body fat was measured. Ninety-three of these adolescents (46 girls), were also measured in 2000 and they formed the follow-up group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the follow-up group a significant increase in BMI and stability in physical self-esteem in boys and girls, and in boys a significant decrease in daily steps was found 3 years later. Strongest predictor to be highly physically active, maintain normal BMI and high self-esteem 3 years later, i.e., to have a healthy lifestyle, was for girls increased self-esteem and for boys a decreased BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consequently, for a healthy lifestyle, promoting physical self-esteem in girls and weight control in boys is of great importance in early adolescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Behavioural Science, Division of Physical Education, University of Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden. anders.raustorp@hik.se
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raustorp
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ståhle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation; D009043:Motor Activity; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden