Effect of a comprehensive intervention to improve the accuracy of children’s body size perception

Abstract

Objective To analyze the effect of a comprehensive intervention on the accuracy of children’s body size perception, so as to provide a theoretical basis for child body size perception improvement.

Methods The participants were selected from a cluster-randomized controlled trial (September 2018 to June 2019). A total of 1 287 children in 24 primary schools (clusters) equally distributed among three regions (Beijing, Changzhi and Urumqi) were selected, which included 12 intervention schools (648 students) and 12 control schools (639 students). The accuracy of body size perception was measured by Ma figural stimuli. A linear mixed model was employed to analyze the effect of the comprehensive intervention on the accuracy of children’s body size perception.

Results At baseline, the accuracy rate of body size perception among children in the intervention group and the control group was 56.6% and 51.5%, respectively. The underestimation rate was 42.0% and 47.7%, and the overestimation rate was 1.4% and 0.8%. After the intervention, compared with the control group, the inaccuracy rate ( OR = 0.50, 95% CI =0.37–0.68, P<0.01) and the underestimation rate in the intervention group decreased ( OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.26–0.54, P <0.01). There was no significant difference in the overestimation rate between the two groups ( P= 0.51). The results of the stratified analysis showed that the intervention could improve the accuracy of children’s body size perception, regardless of their gender, nutritional status, region, or whether or not they were only child ( P>0.05).

Conclusion The inaccuracy rate of children’s body size perception, which mainly involved underestimation was high. A comprehensive intervention can effectively reduce body size underestimation and improve the accuracy of children’s body size perception.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨综合干预对儿童体形认知准确性的改善效果, 为建立儿童正确的体形认知提供理论依据。 方法 采 用整群分层随机抽样方法, 按行政区进行分层, 对北京、长治、乌鲁木齐 24 所小学四年级 1 287 名儿童进行综合干预 (2018 年 9 月 一2019 年 6 月), 干预组 12 所学校 648 名学生, 对照组 12 所学校 639 名学生。通过 “Ma 体形图” 测量体形认知准确 性, 采用线性混合模型分析综合干预对儿童体形认知准确性的作用。 结果 基线时, 干预组和对照组儿童的体形认知准确 率分别为 56.6% 和 51.5%, 体形低估率分别为 42.0% 和 47.7%, 体形髙估率分别为 1.4% 和 0.8%。干预后, 与对照组相比, 干 预组儿童体形认知不准确率 ( OR = 0.50, 95% CI=0.37~0.68, P<0.01) 和体形低估率下降 ( OR = 0.37, 95% CI=0.26~0.54, P<0.01), 体形髙估率在两组间差异无统计学意义 ( P =0.51)。分层分析结果显示, 干预对不同性别、营养状况、地区、独生/非 独生子女儿童的体形认知准确性均有改善作用 (交互项 P 值均>0.05)。 结论 儿童的体形认知不准确率较髙, 以体形低 估为主。综合干预可以有效减少体形低估, 改善儿童体形认知准确性。