Body mass index, perceived and actual physical competence: the relationship among young children
Version of Record online: 30 NOV 2012
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Child: Care, Health and Development
Volume 39, Issue 6, pages 845–850, November 2013
How to Cite
Spessato, B. C., Gabbard, C., Robinson, L. and Valentini, N. C. (2013), Body mass index, perceived and actual physical competence: the relationship among young children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 39: 845–850. doi: 10.1111/cch.12014
- Issue online: 2 OCT 2013
- Version of Record online: 30 NOV 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 16 SEP 2012
- CAPES Foundation
- body mass index;
- motor performance;
- obesity and child development;
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived physical competence (PPC), actual motor competence (MC) and body mass index (BMI) in young children.
We assessed MC (Test of Gross Motor Development – 2nd Edition), PPC (Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance) and BMI (CDC calculator) of 178 young children ages 4–7 years.
The linear regression model for the overall sample showed that BMI was a better predictor of PPC than MC. Also, obese children had lower PPC, but showed no differences in MC compared with leaner peers.
PPC of young obese children was lower than their leaner counterparts, yet their MC was similar. That outcome draws attention to the importance of promoting positive PPC in young children.