Relationship of Body Satisfaction, Self-rated Health, and Parent-Child Attachment to Health Behavior of Children as Perceived by 4th Grade Elementary School Students and Their Mothers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine body satisfaction of children, self-rated health of children and parent-child attachment as perceived by children and their mothers in relation to children's health behavior and to identify factors affecting health behavior of children. Ultimately the purpose of this study was to provide basic data to develop health promotion programs for children. METHODS: Participants were 140 couples, 4th grade elementary school students and their mothers residing in Busan. Data collection was done during June 1 and July 31, 2010. The data were analyzed using paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression with PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: Children and mothers rated body satisfaction of the child differently. Children's responses for body satisfaction of child and parent-child attachment were associated with health behavior of children. Self-rated health perceived by children was also a factor affecting health behavior, as were body satisfaction perceived by children and mothers' perception of body satisfaction of child in that order. These variables explained 18.2% of the total variances in health behavior of children. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that body satisfaction and self-rated health of children are important variables to target within intervention research and treatment programs for health promotion behavior of children at home and school.