Abstract
Objectives(1) To examine relationships among changes in physical activity, physical fitness and some psychosocial determinants of activity behavior in a clinical sample of obese children involved in a multi-component program; (2) to investigate the causal relationship over time between physical activity and one of its strongest correlates (i.e. perceived physical ability).MethodsSelf-reported physical activity and health-related fitness tests were administered before and after a 9-month intervention in 24 boys and 20 girls aged 8 to 11 years. Individuals’ perceptions of strength, speed and agility were assessed using the Perceived Physical Ability Scale, while body image was measured using Collins’ Child Figure Drawings.ResultsFindings showed that body mass index, physical activity, performances on throwing and weight-bearing tasks, perceived physical ability and body image significantly improved after treatment among obese children. Gender differences were found in the correlational analyses, showing a link between actual and perceived physical abilities in boys, but not in girls. For the specific measurement interval of this study, perception of physical ability was an antecedent and not a potential consequence of physical activity.ConclusionsResults indicate that a multi-component activity program not based merely on a dose-effect approach enhances adherence of the participants and has the potential to increase the lifelong exercise skills of obese children. Rather than focusing entirely on diet and weight loss, findings support the inclusion of interventions directed toward improving perceived physical ability that is predictive of subsequent physical activity.
Highlights
Obesity prevalence seems to be stabilizing in several countries [1], child obesity is still considered a social concern because it tracks into adulthood and is related to adverse medical and psychosocial consequences [2]
A large body of evidence has attempted to validate the notion that physical activity (PA) increases body satisfaction through improvements in physical fitness and changes in perceived physical competence [7], but much of such research has been conducted on adults [8]
As the major challenge of the Physical Activity for Childhood Obesity (PACO) program was motivating obese children towards PA, we considered the gradual change of volume most likely to provide opportunities for participants to experience a sense of accomplishment during their skill practice
Summary
Obesity prevalence seems to be stabilizing in several countries [1], child obesity is still considered a social concern because it tracks into adulthood and is related to adverse medical and psychosocial consequences [2]. Cross-sectional studies have found that obese children are more dissatisfied with their body image, perceive themselves as less physically competent, and perform poorly on both endurance and weight-bearing tasks compared with their normal-weight counterparts [3,4]. They tend to have a sedentary lifestyle and a negative attitude towards physical activity (PA) [5]. A large body of evidence has attempted to validate the notion that PA increases body satisfaction through improvements in physical fitness and changes in perceived physical competence [7], but much of such research has been conducted on adults [8]. Despite that weight loss and improving body appearance represent primary motivators for PA in obese children [9], evidence supporting the role of increased PA in childhood obesity management is weak [10]
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