Accuracy of perception of body size among overweight Latino preadolescents after a 6-month physical activity skills building intervention.
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.
Gesell
Sabina B
SB
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. sabina.gesell@vanderbilt.edu
Scott
Theresa A
TA
Barkin
Shari L
SL
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