Poster #29 - Do children recognize the role of physical activities on weight?

• In Event: 2-163 - Poster Session 08
  In Poster Session: PS 08 Section - Cognitive Processes

Integrative Statement

There has been a serious dearth of research on children’s understanding of the impact of physical activities on weight. Much of the research in the cognitive developmental area has exclusively focused on children’s understanding of nutrition on height and weight (Raman, 2018; Slaughter & Ting, 2010). However, given that the medical literature has shown that physical activities are critical to healthy outcomes throughout the lifespan (Hill & Wyatt, 2005; Strayss, Rodzilsky, Burack and Colin, 2001) it is important to explore if children recognize that physical activities contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.
The following studies address this hiatus by examining the developmental trajectory of children’s and adults’ recognition of the impact of physical and sedentary activities on weight. Study 1 examines if 4 and 5 year olds and adults recognized the impact of physical activities on weight. Participants were presented with vignettes that described one character who engaged in a physical activity and the other character did not (Bob runs everyday, Jack does not run everyday, who will be heavier?). A 2 age group x activity one way ANOVA revealed a main effect for age group with adults performing significantly better than preschoolers, F(1, 47) = 36.22, p < .01. Study 2 examined if 4 and 5 year olds, 7 and 8 year olds and adults recognized the difference that physical activities and sedentary activities would have on weight (Mary plays basketball all day long, Jean reads all day long, who do you think will be heavier?). A one way 3 grade x activities ANOVA revealed a significant effect for activities F(2, 69) = 13.94, p < .01. Post-hoc tests revealed that preschoolers were significantly different from the other two age groups, ps < .012 (Ms = 1.54, 2.55. and 3.14 respectively for 4-5 year olds, 7-8 year olds and adults respectively). Study 3 examined if children and adults recognized the short-term and long-term impact of active and sedentary activities on weight. A 3 age group x 2 activity (sedentary; active) repeated measures ANOVA revealed a main effect for activities F(1, 67) = 9.71, p < .003, ηp2 = .127, a significant activity x grade interaction, F(2, 67) = 33.56, p < .01, ηp2 = .349 and a significant grade effect, F(2, 67) = 24.02, p < .01, ηp2 = .418. Post-hoc tests revealed that overall participants performed better on the sedentary activities than active activities, p< .003 but this difference was driven primarily by 4-5 year olds who performed significantly better on sedentary activities than active activities, p < .01.
The results across the three studies suggest that there is a strong developmental trend between the 4-5 year olds and 7-8 year olds with the older group showing an adult like recognition of the impact of activities on weight. Four and 5 year olds had greater difficulty in making a clear distinction. These results indicate that by middle childhood children have a basic recognition of the impact of physical and sedentary activities on weight.

Author

• Lakshmi Raman, Oakland University
  Presenting Author