title: Accuracy of perception of body size among overweight Latino preadolescents after a 6-month physical activity skills building intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has shown that overweight Latino children underestimate their body size. Erroneous perception of body size may have important health and behavioral implications and serve as a significant barrier to weight control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether children's perceptions of their body size became more accurate following a pediatric obesity intervention focused on increasing physical activity. DESIGN/ METHODS: This analysis includes 61 overweight (body mass index > or =85%) Latino children (aged 8-11 years) parent-child dyads who completed a pilot randomized control trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, 40.7% (11/27) of children in the intervention group rated their body size accurately compared with 21.2% (7/33) in the control group. The difference indicates a trend toward significance (P = .09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participating in monthly physical activity skill building sessions may increase children's accuracy in body size perception.This may be an important first step toward behavior modification.
authors: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. sabina.gesell@vanderbilt.edu
authors: Sabina B
authors: SB
authors: Gesell
authors: Theresa A
authors: TA
authors: Scott
authors: Shari L
authors: SL
authors: Barkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009657:North Carolina; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept