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Abstract; Background; ; In a society, where the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is relatively high, making childhood overweight the ‘norm’, some children view themselves as being of ideal weight when they are actually overweight or obese. At the same time, there is also evidence showing that children as young as nine, are becoming increasingly body conscious, leading to a potential overestimation of body weight status in these children. The aim of this study was to assess the association between mental wellbeing and perceived and actual body weight status among children aged 10–11 years old.; Methods; ; The study was undertaken in 24 primary schools within one health authority area in the North East of England, UK. 264 children aged 10–11 years old (Year 6) self completed a series of questionnaires within school hours which included the general health questionnaire (GHQ), strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and specific questions about how they perceived their body weight status prior to being weighed and measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). The parents of participating children also completed and returned a form reporting the height and weight results from their child’s NCMP feedback letter.; Results; ; Most of the children misclassified their body weight status, but not always in the same direction. Approximately 1 in 10 ideal weight children perceived themselves to be overweight. However over three quarters of overweight children perceived themselves to be of an ideal weight. In this study sample, mental well-being was not associated with actual body weight status, but it was associated with perceived body weight status; those children who perceived themselves to be an ideal body weight, regardless of what their actual body weight status, had better mental well-being than those who perceived themselves to be either underweight, overweight, or obese (again, regardless of their actual BMI).; Conclusions; ; The study strengthens the understanding of the potential relationship between mental well-being and perceived body weight status in 10–11 year old children. The phenomenon of children misperceiving their weight status could on one hand lead to unnecessary mental health problems whilst on the other hand undermine efforts to support interventions aimed towards combating weight problems among children. Surveillance and monitoring programmes e.g. the NCMP which weigh and measure children and feedback their true weight status need to be encouraged. |
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