The “liked” body. The role of physical activity in the dualism between the real and the virtual body.

Social media use is increasing among pre-teens with effects on body image. Pre-teens using image-centred social media (Instagram, Tik Tok, etc.) may perceive their peers to be more attractive than them, with negative influence on self-esteem and body concerns and devel-opment of a virtual body, with a consequent onset of the dualism. Social media use is also linked lower levels of physical activity. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between active lifestyle, body satisfaction and the dualism among pre-teens. A sample of 2378 Italian pre-teen was recruited. Two anonymous and self-administered ques-tionnaires were used to investigate: social media use; body satisfaction, and physical activity levels. Descriptive statistics were computed for all the investigated variables. A multiple linear regression was used to explore the association between body satisfaction (dependent variable) and physical activity levels and the dualism (independent variables).Results showed that the exposure to images and videos promoting certain beauty standards are associated with body concerns and disaffection. However, the daily use of the body for walking, practicing sport, etc. helps individuals to establish a positive link between the self and the body, and to counteract the negative effects of the altered sociocultural models of the body, vehiculated through social media. Therefore, the engagement of pre-teens in offline activities might represent a valid strategy to promote healthy behaviours, increasing self-consciousness and their social skills and reduce the negative effect of social media engagement.