Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between athletic clothing and physical activity in overweight children. The perceptions of athletic clothing among overweight children were also investigated. The researchers asked: (a) what are overweight children’s experiences with athletic clothing, (b) does clothing impact overweight children’s motivation to participate in physical activity, and (c) are there differences between boys and girls? Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 35 children between the ages of 9 and 14 who were considered overweight according to their body mass index. Literature on social physique anxiety and body image provided the conceptual framework for the study. Four key themes emerged from the children’s discussions of their experiences with athletic clothes and participation in physical activity: (a) body exposure concerns, (b) clothing size exposure concerns, (c) desire to quit because of athletic clothes, and (d) positive experiences with athletic clothes.
Highlights
Physical activity participation, or movement of the body which burns calories, holds health benefits that extend to physical, psychological, and social health for children, adolescents, and youth (American Heart Association, 2015)
In order to participate in the camp, the children were required to be considered overweight according to their body mass index (BMI), and their parents were required to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, meaning that their household income did not exceed 130 % of the federal poverty level
The researchers recruited this age range because previous studies indicated that physical activity participation began to decline for children between these ages (Bélanger et al 2008; Wall et al 2011)
Summary
Movement of the body which burns calories, holds health benefits that extend to physical, psychological, and social health for children, adolescents, and youth (American Heart Association, 2015). Development of social skills, decreased depressive symptoms, and decreased risk-taking behaviors are some of the specific health benefits to children and youth (5–18) from participating in physical activity (Janssen and LeBlanc 2010; Taras 2005). Such health benefits would be important to children, adolescents, and youth who have elevated health risks such as being overweight or obese. Whether a child is considered overweight or obese is based on their body mass index (BMI), which divides a person’s weight in kilograms, by their square height in meters (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015a). Children of the same sex and age are considered overweight when their BMI is “at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile” and are considered obese when their BMI is “at or above the 95th percentile” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015a, para. 1).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
