title: A Reciprocal Effects Model of Children's Body Fat Self-Concept: Relations With Physical Self-Concept and Physical Activity.
abstract: This study investigated a reciprocal effects model (REM) of children's body fat self-concept and physical self-concept, and objectively measured school physical activity at different intensities. Grade four students (N = 376; M age = 9.07, SD = .61; 55% boys) from the midwest region of the United States completed measures of physical self-concept and body fat self-concept, and wore accelerometers for three consecutive school days at the beginning and end of one school year. Findings from structural equation modeling analyses did not support reciprocal effects. However, children's body fat self-concept predicted future physical self-concept and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Multigroup analyses explored the moderating role of weight status, sex, ethnicity, and sex*ethnicity within the REM. Findings supported invariance, suggesting that the observed relations were generalizable for these children across demographic groups. Links between body fat self-concept and future physical self-concept and MVPA highlight self-enhancing effects that can promote children's health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: 1 Louisiana State University.
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Garn
authors.affiliation: 2 Australian Catholic University.
authors.forename: Alexandre J S
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Centeio
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kulik
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Somers
authors.affiliation: 3 Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Nate
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCaughtry
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: body image; objective physical activity; self-concept; self-enhancement