title: Children's perceptions of weight, obesity, nutrition, physical activity and related health and socio-behavioural factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Approximately one-third of children in the USA are either overweight or obese. Understanding the perceptions of children is an important factor in reversing this trend.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was conducted with children to capture their perceptions of weight, overweight, nutrition, physical activity and related socio-behavioural factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  US children (n 1224) aged 8-18 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven per cent of children reported being overweight; 47·1% of children overestimated the rate of overweight/obesity among US children. A higher percentage of self-classified overweight children (81·9%) worried about weight than did self-classified under/normal weight children (31·1%). Most children (91·1%) felt that it was important to not be overweight, for both health-related and social-related reasons. The majority of children believed that if someone their age is overweight they will likely be overweight in adulthood (93·1%); get an illness such as diabetes or heart disease in adulthood (90·2%); not be able to play sports well (84·5%); and be teased or made fun of in school (87·8%). Children focused more on food/drink than physical activity as reasons for overweight at their age. Self-classified overweight children were more likely to have spoken with someone about their weight over the last year than self-classified under/normal weight children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children demonstrated good understanding of issues regarding weight, overweight, nutrition, physical activity and related socio-behavioural factors. Their perceptions are important and can be helpful in crafting solutions that will resonate with children.
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Economos
authors.affiliation: 2 John Hancock Research Center on Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bakun
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Julia Bloom
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lynskey
authors.affiliation: 3 Harris Interactive, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Markow
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Shanti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: 1 ChildObesity180, Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Miriam E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology