This cross-sectional study intended to determine the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and associated factors in Portuguese adolescents (N=529, 10-18 years, 53.7% male and 46.3% female). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction (estimated through Collins's silhouettes) was 58%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the variables associated were: obesity, watch TV over 2 hours/day and practice sport activities 4 or more days/week. In male, obesity and watch TV over 2 hours/day were related to body dissatisfaction and among female only obesity had statistical significance. It is necessary to considered different public health interventions for men and women in order to reduce this high body image dissatisfaction.

It was our objective to analyze the effects of a single session of whole body HIIT on body-image and -scheme parameters of healthy adult men. Twenty-one active, healthy adults performed high-intensity intermittent training based on full body exercise. The training session involved 20 sets of 30 second all-out exercise and 30 seconds of passive recovery between sets. All subjects underwent blood lactate measurement, rate of perceived exertion, feeling scale and body image assessment and perception of body size measurements. Significant differences (p<0.001) were found on blood lactate but not in feeling scale. The values of current and adequate silhouette did not differ between each other and the real silhouette. Significant differences were found on Image Marking Procedure (IMP) (p< 0.003). Additionally, significant differences (p= 0.009) were found on prevalence of adequate, hypoeschematic and hypeschematic. Although alteration was not found on self-perception of body image, a single session of HIIT body work promoted alteration on body size perception in healthy adult men.

Connectedness to nature (CN) is a significant predictor of pro-environmental behaviours, human health and well-being. However, research on how this connection to the natural world might promote a more active lifestyle and improve body mass composition according to gender is lacking. This study investigated the influence of CN on physical activity (PA) and body composition in adults and older people. We recruited a sample of 219 individuals (77 men and 142 women), and a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure CN and obtain demographic data. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance, and PA was assessed by accelerometry. Correlations and stepwise multiple regressions were used in data analysis. CN’s association with other variables was more pronounced in women than in men, and we only identified significant associations with steps/day and body composition. However, this variable would not be included in the regression models that we developed. Adiposity levels and muscle status were significant predictors of PA in women. In both genders, age, percentage of fat mass and fat-free mass were selected as regressors in the models developed for visceral fat area and muscle condition (R² Adjusted ≥ 0.908).

A growing body of evidence indicates that living close to nature is associated with better health and well-being. However, the literature still lacks studies analyzing the benefits of this proximity for sleep and obesity, particularly in women. The purpose of this study was to explore how distance to natural spaces is reflected in women’s physical activity, sleep, and adiposity levels. The sample consisted of 111 adult women (37.78 ± 14.70). Accessibility to green and blue spaces was assessed using a geographic-information-system-based method. Physical activity and sleep parameters were measured using ActiGraph accelerometers (wGT3X-BT), and body composition was assessed using octopolar bioimpedance (InBody 720). Nonlinear canonical correlation analysis was used to analyze the data. Our findings reveal that women living in green spaces close to their homes had lower levels of obesity and intra-abdominal adiposity. We also demonstrated that a shorter distance to green spaces seemed to correlate with better sleep onset latency. However, no relationship was found between physical activity and sleep duration. In relation to blue spaces, the distance to these environments was not related to any health indicator analyzed in this study.

Gender inequality has a significant impact on the sporting world, with a range of implications and consequences. In coaching, women are confronted with a significant challenge in addressing inequity throughout the course of their careers. To gain a deeper insight into the under-representation of women in sports coaching, within the context of the Female Sport Coaching Training Programme (FEMCoach) project, the educational support available to coaches was investigated. To identify and synthesise the current scientific evidence concerning the educational programmes and syllabi offered to female youth sports coaches in Europe. A Boolean combination of keywords was used to search the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed. Given the heterogeneity of the final studies included, a narrative review methodology was deemed the most appropriate. A total of 225 potential records were identified, dating from the earliest entries to 30/02/24. Six articles were included: three qualitative and three that employed a mixed-methods approach. Different experiences of women with sport were reported and analysed. The review highlights a critical need for educational programmes specifically designed for women coaches. These programmes should address the unique biological and socioeconomic challenges faced by women coaches, equipping them to respond with clarity and objectivity. Future studies should prioritize identifying and implementing effective strategies to challenge and disrupt cultural norms that sustain gender disparities, with the ultimate goal of promoting greater inclusion and equitable representation in coaching roles.