Weight Criticism During Physical Activity, Coping Skills, and Reported Physical Activity in Children

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective. National health guidelines advocate increased physical activity in children and adolescents, but specific goals are not being achieved. Data are needed on variables that influence children's decision to be active or sedentary.Methods. We tested the association of weight criticism during physical activity (WCA) with attitudes toward physical activity and reported physical activity levels in children. We also tested whether these associations were moderated by children's ability to cope with weight criticism. Subjects were 576 fifth-through eighth-graders who completed a questionnaire on physical activity patterns, weight criticism history, and coping skills.Results. WCA was more common among girls than boys and among heavier children. In multiple regression analyses, WCA was associated with reduced sports enjoyment, perceived activity compared with peers, and mild-intensity leisure activity. These associations, however, were moderated by problem-focused coping skills such that the relationships were attenuated in children who were better able to cope with weight criticism. Avoidant coping skills also moderated the relationship between WCA and sports enjoyment.Conclusions. Children who are the targets of weight criticism by family and peers have negative attitudes toward sports and report reduced physical activity levels, although these relationships may be buffered by certain coping skills. Assessing WCA and related coping skills may be clinically useful for identifying barriers to physical activity in certain children (eg, the obese) and may be a potential target for interventions. Pediatrics 2002;110(2).

Effects of social contexts on overweight and normal-weight children's food intake

“…There is evidence that the experience of being victimized by peers can lead overweight children to avoid taking part in activities, such as physical education classes or sports, to avoid peer victimization [51]. Our findings suggest that the social context can also affect time engaged in eating-versus playing-related activities.…”

Physical activity and sedentary behavior: a review of longitudinal studies of weight and adiposity in youth

“…Faith found that children who are criticized for their weight by their parents or by other children are less likely to enjoy sports, and less likely to participate in mild-intensity leisure activity. 64 Thus, plausible mechanisms exist for reverse causation in the relation of physical activity and weight status.…”

Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America

“…13 Its negative implications include impairments in psychological well-being [14][15] and physical health, such as avoiding preventive health-care services, 16 engaging in unhealthy eating patterns 13,[17][18][19] and avoiding physical activity. 18,[20][21][22] Despite evidence of weight bias documented in case studies, experimental work, treatment and convenience samples, limited information is available on the prevalence and patterns of weight discrimination in a nationally representative sample. Discrimination is distinct from prejudice and beliefs in that it refers to negative, unequal treatment of people because of their membership in a particular group.…”