Attività fisica, gestione dello stress e abitudini alimentari: un'analisi correlazionale tra studenti delle scuole superiori italiane

Adolescence represents a critical developmental period characterized by profound biological, psychological, and social changes that influence health-related behaviors and long-term well-being. During this stage, the asynchronous maturation of neurobiological systems, particularly the earlier development of limbic reward circuits compared to the slower maturation of prefrontal cognitive control regions, contributes to increased emotional reactivity, heightened sensitivity to stress, and greater vulnerability to maladaptive behavioral patterns. Within this context, lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity and eating habits become closely interconnected with stress regulation and motivational processes. The present thesis adopts an integrated biopsychosocial perspective to investigate the relationships among physical activity, motivational regulation, perceived stress, eating behavior, and social influences during adolescence. Particular attention is given to emotional eating as a stress-related coping strategy and to the role of motivation in shaping engagement in physical activity. The study is grounded in neurobiological and psychological frameworks, including the Dual Systems Model of adolescent brain development, Self-Determination Theory, Social Comparison Theory, and the Transactional Model of Stress. The literature review highlights how chronic stress exposure during adolescence may alter neuroplasticity and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, increasing susceptibility to emotional dysregulation, sedentary behavior, and unhealthy eating patterns. At the same time, intrinsically motivated physical activity appears to act as a protective factor by improving emotional regulation, reducing perceived stress, and promoting adaptive behavioral outcomes. Conversely, externally regulated motivation and excessive social or performance-related pressure may reduce the psychological benefits of exercise and contribute to maladaptive coping mechanisms. The empirical component of the study explores adolescents’ physical activity levels, motivational determinants, perceived stress, emotional eating tendencies, and differences related to sport participation contexts, including individual and team sports. The research further examines the influence of contemporary environmental stressors, such as academic pressure, peer evaluation, and social media exposure, which may amplify social comparison processes and emotional vulnerability. Overall, this thesis emphasizes that adolescent health behaviors cannot be understood through isolated physiological or behavioral dimensions alone. Instead, they emerge from the continuous interaction between neurodevelopmental processes, psychological regulation, and environmental influences. The findings support the importance of multidimensional interventions that integrate stress management, motivational support, physical activity promotion, and nutritional education in order to foster resilience, emotional well-being, and healthier lifestyle patterns during adolescence.