Effect of physical activity on adolescent self-esteem

Abstract

Overweight and obesity in adolescents have increased globally, affecting not only their physical health but also their psychological well-being. Low self-esteem and negative body perception are common problems among adolescents with low physical activity, which may lead to an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms. This article aims to determine the effect of physical activity on adolescent self-esteem, exploring mediating factors such as self-perception and socialization, the relationship between frequency and intensity of physical activity and self-esteem levels, as well as the difference between participation in team sports versus individual activities. A review was conducted of original articles in English and Spanish, published between 1995 and 2024, with a greater concentration of studies between 2019 and 2024, databases such as PubMed and Scopus were consulted. The results suggest that encouraging moderate or high physical activity and team sports could be an effective intervention to promote better mental health in adolescents, offering benefits both in their self-perception and social competence.