The Relationship Between The Pediatric Inactivity Triad And Body Image Perception In Children

Abstract

The generational changes in screen-time play vs outdoor play have affected modern youth, resulting in a low percentage of youth receiving the recommended 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Lack of physical activity in children is considered a predictive risk factor for health complications later in life and is also linked to lower levels of self-esteem and body satisfaction. The Pediatric Inactivity Triad (PIT) has recently been proposed as a more wholistic way to examine the relationship between physical inactivity and impaired health in children. Physical inactivity, dynapenia, and physical literacy are believed to be the primary determinants of PIT. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the efficacy of PIT to identify relationships between inactivity and negative outcomes in children. METHODS: Children (N = 93; 55 males, 38 females) were recruited from local elementary schools. Handgrip strength and standing vertical leap were used to assess pediatric dynapenia. Physical literacy was assessed using the Physical Literacy Assessment of Youth (PLAYbasic) score that evaluates four motor abilities (locomotor, throwing, kicking, balance). The Evaluation of Activity Survey in Youth (EASY) questionnaire was used to assess physical inactivity. Body image perception was assessed via a measure of self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, SE) and a subset of children also completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale for Children (SPAS-C) (N = 32), a more specific measure of body image perception. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were also recorded. RESULTS: 62% of participants showed a deficit in at least 1 determinant of PIT, with 10% showing deficits in all determinants. 21% of participants were deficient in physical literacy and 33% of participants were considered to be inactive. A positive correlation was found between BMI and SPAS-C (r = 0.379, p = 0.039). No significant correlations were found between the PIT and SE; however, a negative correlation was found between SPAS-C and the composite PLAYbasic score (r = -0.413; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Potential negative outcomes related to inactivity can be identified by assessing the determinants of PIT. However, the relationship between PIT and body image perception requires further investigation.