"Stop eating lollies and do lots of sports": A prospective qualitative study of the development of children's awareness of dietary restraint and exercise to lose weight

Abstract

Background: Beliefs surrounding the usefulness of dietary restriction and physical activity as means of body shape and size modification is already present in children as young as 5-years-old, and these beliefs may increase the risk of unhealthy weight control behaviours later in life. To date, however, little is known regarding the development of these beliefs in younger children. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to explore young (aged 3- to 5-years old) children's conceptualisations of dietary restriction and physical activity as means to change body size using a prospective approach. Methods: A sample of 259 children (116 boys, 143 girls) participated in interviews at 3-, 4- a..