Relationship between psychosocial functioning and body fat in preschool children: a longitudinal investigation.
This study examined whether preschool children differed on measures of psychosocial functioning both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. One hundred and thirty-two children who varied in levels of body fat participated in the study along with their natural parents. Results indicated that the children did not differ in levels of self-esteem and family functioning as a function of their body fat. Prospectively, physical self-esteem weakly (but significantly) correlated with body fat at 1 and 2 years, and father's perception of family functioning predicted body fat at 1 year only. Results suggested that childhood obesity may not develop as a result of psychosocial factors.
Klesges
R C
RC
Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, Tennessee 38152.
Haddock
C K
CK
Stein
R J
RJ
Klesges
L M
LM
Eck
L H
LH
Hanson
C L
CL
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment