Manon Bordeleau1,2,3,4, Geneviève Leduc1,5, Claudine Blanchet6, Vicky Drapeau1,2,3,4, Natalie Alméras1,5. 1. Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval (IUCPQ-UL), Québec City, Québec, Canada. 2. Department of Physical Education, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada. 3. Centre de Recherche Interuniversitaire sur la Formation et Profession Enseignante (CRIFPE), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. 4. Centre Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada. 5. Department of Kinesiology, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada. 6. CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Abstract
Background: To examine the association between body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) in elementary school children and to document the potential contribution of individual factors [age, sex, and actual body size (BMI Z-scores: BMIZ)] that may influence their relationship. Methods: This study included 269 children (124 boys and 145 girls) between 6 and 13 years of age (9.2 ± 1.6 years). The BSP score was calculated as the difference between the perceived actual body size and BMIZ (actual body size). A negative BSP score indicated an underestimation of their body size. To assess the BSD score, the difference between perceived actual body size and desired body size was calculated. A positive BSD score indicated a desire to be thinner. Results: Perceived actual body size was smaller than BMIZ, independent of age group and weight status. Overall, 64% of children underestimated their body size. The young children living with obesity demonstrated the highest misperception. Results also showed that the proportion of children who desired to be thinner was higher in overweight and obese subgroups. No significant relationship was found between BSP and BSD scores in the entire sample, while a positive association was observed among younger children in the normal-weight and obese subgroups (r = 0.40; p < 0.001 and r = 0.78; p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Underestimation and dissatisfaction of body size are more prevalent in children living with overweight/obesity. Moreover, there is an association between BSP and dissatisfaction, yet this association is dependent on age and weight status.
Background: To examine the association between body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) in elementary school children and to document the potential contribution of individual factors [age, sex, and actual body size (BMI Z-scores: BMIZ)] that may influence their relationship. Methods: This study included 269 children (124 boys and 145 girls) between 6 and 13 years of age (9.2 ± 1.6 years). The BSP score was calculated as the difference between the perceived actual body size and BMIZ (actual body size). A negative BSP score indicated an underestimation of their body size. To assess the BSD score, the difference between perceived actual body size and desired body size was calculated. A positive BSD score indicated a desire to be thinner. Results: Perceived actual body size was smaller than BMIZ, independent of age group and weight status. Overall, 64% of children underestimated their body size. The young children living with obesity demonstrated the highest misperception. Results also showed that the proportion of children who desired to be thinner was higher in overweight and obese subgroups. No significant relationship was found between BSP and BSD scores in the entire sample, while a positive association was observed among younger children in the normal-weight and obese subgroups (r = 0.40; p < 0.001 and r = 0.78; p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Underestimation and dissatisfaction of body size are more prevalent in children living with overweight/obesity. Moreover, there is an association between BSP and dissatisfaction, yet this association is dependent on age and weight status.
Entities:
Keywords:
BMI; body size evaluation; childhood obesity; overweight; self-perception