This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Faith, M. S.
Right arrow Articles by Pietrobelli, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Faith, M. S.
Right arrow Articles by Pietrobelli, A.
Related Collections
Right arrow Miscellaneous
PEDIATRICS Vol. 110 No. 2 August 2002, pp. e23-e23

ELECTRONIC ARTICLE

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

Myles S. Faith, PhD*, Mary Ann Leone, PhD{ddagger}, Tim S. Ayers, PhD§, Moonseong Heo, PhD* and Angelo Pietrobelli, MD*,||

* Obesity Research Center, St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
{ddagger} Island Trees Union Free School District, Levittown, New York
§ Prevention Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
|| Pediatric Unit, Verona University Medical School, Verona, Italy

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.

Key Words: physical activity • children • obesity • teasing • coping skills

Abbreviations: WCA, weight criticism during physical activity • SD, standard deviation • BMI, body mass index • CCSC, Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist • METS, metabolic-equivalent units

Received for publication Mar 5, 2002; Accepted Apr 23, 2002.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Pediatr PsycholHome page
S.-J. Salvy, J. N. Roemmich, J. C. Bowker, N. D. Romero, P. J. Stadler, and L. H. Epstein
Effect of Peers and Friends on Youth Physical Activity and Motivation to be Physically Active
J. Pediatr. Psychol., July 10, 2008; (2008) jsn071v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Health Educ ResHome page
R. M. Puhl, C. A. Moss-Racusin, M. B. Schwartz, and K. D. Brownell
Weight stigmatization and bias reduction: perspectives of overweight and obese adults
Health Educ. Res., April 1, 2008; 23(2): 347 - 358.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Health PsycholHome page
L. R. Vartanian and J. G. Shaprow
Effects of Weight Stigma on Exercise Motivation and Behavior: A Preliminary Investigation among College-aged Females
J Health Psychol, January 1, 2008; 13(1): 131 - 138.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J Pediatr PsycholHome page
S.-J. Salvy, J. W. Bowker, J. N. Roemmich, N. Romero, E. Kieffer, R. Paluch, and L. H. Epstein
Peer Influence on Children's Physical Activity: An Experience Sampling Study
J. Pediatr. Psychol., January 1, 2008; 33(1): 39 - 49.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JAMAHome page
D. E. Wilfley, R. I. Stein, B. E. Saelens, D. S. Mockus, G. E. Matt, H. A. Hayden-Wade, R. R. Welch, K. B. Schechtman, P. A. Thompson, and L. H. Epstein
Efficacy of Maintenance Treatment Approaches for Childhood Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA, October 10, 2007; 298(14): 1661 - 1673.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Pediatr PsycholHome page
E. A. Storch, V. A. Milsom, N. DeBraganza, A. B. Lewin, G. R. Geffken, and J. H. Silverstein
Peer Victimization, Psychosocial Adjustment, and Physical Activity in Overweight and At-Risk-For-Overweight Youth
J. Pediatr. Psychol., January 1, 2007; 32(1): 80 - 89.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Family and Consumer Sciences Research JournalHome page
S. Pelican, F. V. Heede, B. Holmes, L. M. Melcher, M. K. Wardlaw, M. Raidl, B. Wheeler, and S. A. Moore
The Power of Others to Shape Our Identity: Body Image, Physical Abilities, and Body Weight
Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, September 1, 2005; 34(1): 56 - 79.
[Abstract] [PDF]