A longitudinal investigation of overweight children’s body perception and satisfaction during a weight management program

Background: The Children's Body Image Scale (CBIS) is a measure of body perception and satisfaction. Obesity has a negative impact on children's body satisfaction. This study aimed to (1) determine the construct validity of the CBIS in a purely overweight/obese sample, and (2) explore longitudinal changes in body perception and satisfaction in overweight/obese children participating in a six month weight management program delivered to parents. Data were self-reported by overweight/obese 5 to 9 year old children (n = 127) over a 36 month period. Findings: The CBIS demonstrated good construct validity (Rho: range 0.38 to 0.71, p < 0.05). Accuracy in body size perception did not alter significantly over time (Rho: range 0.45 to 0.59, p < 0.001). No consistent differences in body satisfaction by age or sex were observed. Body satisfaction improved after the six month weight management intervention (mean difference = 0.74, 95% CI 0.15-1.26) which was maintained at 36 month follow up. Conclusion: The CBIS is a useful measure to monitor overweight/obese children's body satisfaction. In this cohort, it is suggestive that the child weight management program delivered to parents did not impact negatively on children's body satisfaction.