Perception of the nutritional status and real nutritional status of school children

Abstract

Childhood obesity is the most relevant nutritional disorder of our society and a serious health problem. Several studies have analyzed how environment distorts society’s perception and underestimates this problem. Several aims were evaluated in this study including; Nutritional status perception of 7- and 8-years old children using pictures and objective measurements, their perception of health and disease; and their level of satisfaction of their body image. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 children from 9 different schools. Weight and size data were collected and the Warschuburger Kröller test performed. We disclose that the majority of children underestimate their weight and they choose images from lower categories, associated with improved body satisfaction. Although an inverse relationship is detected between the value of the percentile and the level of satisfaction, the children are satisfied with their body image. In general, the children consider their health as good-very good.