Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Background: Healthy People 2020 recognize child obesity as a significant problem in the United States. This replication study included four and five year olds of Asian Indian descent. Methods: Identification of body shapes reflecting an overweight/underweight individual was shown to children and they were asked to choose the body shape reflecting their own body mass index (BMI). The relationship between a child’s actual BMI and his/her perceived body shape, perceptions of body shape/size in relation to types of food consumed, and gender differences for each were analyzed. BMI calculations were obtained and interviews completed using a pictorial questionnaire representing various body shapes/sizes. Results: Findings revealed preschool-age children accurately identified the body shape of overweight/underweight individual, and estimated their own BMI accurately. They also attributed body shapes to healthy/unhealthy foods. Conclusion: It is appropriate to teach children about obesity prevention and interventions, which will help lower obesity rates and subsequent comorbidities.
Publication Date
5-1-2015
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Lall, Adrianna, "PERCEPTIONS OF WEIGHT AND BODY IMAGE AMONG INDIAN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: A REPLICATION STUDY" (2015). 2015 Spring Honors Capstone Projects. 5.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2015/5