Physical activity, eating habits, nutritional status and self-esteem of workers at the Cardenal Raúl Silva Henríquez School in Viña del Mar

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation between physical activity (PA), dietary habits, body composition, and self-esteem among education workers in Viña del Mar. Methods: This was a cross-sectional correlational study. A total of 53 workers (73.6% female) participated. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), a dietary habits survey, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to report on PA, dietary habits, and general self-esteem, respectively. Additionally, an anthropometric evaluation was conducted to determine body composition using Body Mass Index (BMI), % body fat (%MG), and waist circumference (WC).Results: Significant correlations were found between dietary habits and total PA (r=0.31; p=0.024) and with body composition (WC: r=-0.30, p=0.031; %MG: r=-0.28, p=0.039). Additionally, significant correlations were observed between leisure-time PA and body composition (BMI: r=-0.29, p=0.038; WC: r=-0.37, p=0.006). No significant correlations were found with self-esteem. Conclusion:The findings of this study underscore the interrelationship of dietary habits with active behaviors and body composition in this population. Therefore, education workers should be considered in future workplace health prevention and promotion interventions.