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Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Development of the MapMe intervention body image scales of known weight status for 4-5 and 10-11 year old children
A R Jones1, M J Tovée2,3, L R Cutler1
1Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Insights
New visual tools called Body Image Scales (BIS) were created for children to help parents accurately assess weight status. These sex- and age-specific BIS are based on UK criteria to aid in childhood overweight prevention.
Area of Science:
- Child health and nutrition
- Anthropometry
- Public health interventions
Background:
- Parents often underestimate children's body size, hindering accurate weight status assessment.
- A visual tool could improve parental perception and support childhood overweight reduction strategies.
- Existing Body Image Scales (BIS) are not tailored for children using UK growth criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop sex- and age-specific Body Image Scales (BIS) for children.
- To base these BIS on the British growth reference (UK90) criteria.
- To provide a tool for more accurate visual assessment of child weight status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D surface body scans of children.
- Determined weight status using UK90 criteria from height and weight measurements.
- Incorporated qualitative insights from parents and health professionals.
Main Results:
- Collected data from 211 children aged 4-5 years and 177 aged 10-11 years.
- Conducted 12 qualitative sessions with 37 participants.
- Developed four BIS: for 4-5-year-old girls and boys, and 10-11-year-old girls and boys.
Conclusions:
- Developed the first sex- and age-specific BIS based on UK90 criteria.
- BIS show potential for use in child overweight prevention and management.
- Established a protocol for developing BIS for other age groups and ethnicities.
Background:
Parents tend to visually assess children to determine their weight status and typically underestimate child body size. A visual tool may aid parents to more accurately assess child weight status and so support strategies to reduce childhood overweight. Body image scales (BIS) are visual images of people ranging from underweight to overweight but none exist for children based on UK criteria. Our aim was to develop sex- and age-specific BIS for children, based on British growth reference (UK90) criteria.
Methods:
BIS were developed using 3D surface body scans of children, their associated weight status using UK90 criteria from height and weight measurements, and qualitative work with parents and health professionals.
Results:
Height, weight and 3D body scans were collected (211: 4-5 years; 177: 10-11 years). Overall, 12 qualitative sessions were held with 37 participants. Four BIS (4-5-year-old girls and boys, 10-11-year-old girls and boys) were developed.
Conclusions:
This study has created the first sex- and age-specific BIS, based on UK90 criteria. The BIS have potential for use in child overweight prevention and management strategies, and in future research. This study also provides a protocol for the development of further BIS appropriate to other age groups and ethnicities.
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