Relationship between body mass index and social interaction preferences in Physical Education classes among secondary school students by gender

It has been observed that levels of physical activity among adolescents during Physical Education classes are below recommended levels, especially in those students who are overweight. The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and social interaction preferences in adolescents' Physical Education classes, subsequently distinguishing by gender. A total of 870 adolescents in school in the region of Aragon participated in this study, with a mean age of 13.75 years (SD = 1.28), of whom 470 (46.32%) were male and 400 (45.98%) were female. All of them answered the Graupera/Ruiz Scale of Preferences for Social Interaction in Physical Education (GR-SIPPEL) and their weight and height were taken in order to calculate their body mass index (BMI). The study of normality led to the use of non -parametric tests, using the Mann -Whitney U test and Spearman's Rho test for the analysis. Taking the whole group, inverse and low -effect correlations were found between the variables of competitiveness and individualism and BMI. By gender, there was no relationship between variables in boys and the results for girls were very similar to those of the whole group. Both sexes expressed a greater preference for social interaction in the subject for cooperation. These results highlight the importance of social interactions in Physical Education to improve the learning environment and motivation.