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Body mass index, perceived and actual physical competence: the relationship among young children
B C Spessato1, C Gabbard, L Robinson
1Department of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Dance, School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Background:
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.
Methods:
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.
Results:
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.
Conclusions:
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.
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