Changes in Weight, Body Image Perception and Self-Efficacy: A Study on Italian Adolescents during the Pandemic Period

The lockdown period in Italy, due to Covid-19 government restrictions, caused sedentary behavior and a reduction physical activity, with an increase body weight change perception. Body image includes beliefs about one’s appearance. Women tend exhibit poor compared men; if we consider adolescence, this difference tends be greater. In addition, only small percentage of adolescents believe their adequate. Given that adolescence represents one the periods highest level change, including changes weight, height, shape, wanted study how self-efficacy can affected by image. Studies have shown self-efficacious students more persistent face unexpected difficulties, particularly important current pandemic conditions. our study, analyze relationship between variation perceived after two months lockdown, Self-efficacy, mediated perception sample Italian adolescents. Simple mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS 3.5 for SPSS 27. Two-hundred fifty high school from northern Italy took part (82% female, mean age 16 years ±1,43). data confirmed partial effect These results highlight assumes significance most relevant developmental tasks related evaluation self-perception affecting self-efficacy, which is also predictor academic achievement. We hope studies like these support importance interventions aimed at promoting well-being among adolescents, specifically regarding aspects motivational self-evaluation.