Self-perceptions in children with probable developmental coordination disorder with and without overweight.
Among kids with coordination disorder, those who are also overweight feel the most left out—so ask about social acceptance in every assessment.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked kids to rate how good they feel about their bodies, sports skills, and social life.
They compared three groups: children with coordination problems only, coordination problems plus extra weight, and typically developing peers.
All kids filled out the same self-concept forms so scores could be lined up side by side.
What they found
Children with both coordination issues and extra weight scored lowest on feeling accepted by classmates.
Kids with coordination problems alone also felt less athletic than typical peers, but their social scores were not as low.
Surprisingly, all groups felt equally okay about their looks and overall self-worth—only social and athletic areas dipped.
How this fits with other research
Lifshitz et al. (2014) already showed that coordination problems plus extra weight lower fitness scores; this new study shows the same combo also hurts social confidence.
Wagner et al. (2011) found that extra weight can lead to worse balance in teens, while Anthony et al. (2020) flip the lens—showing how weight can deepen the social sting inside coordination disorder.
Matson et al. (2011) and Missiuna et al. (2014) report higher anxiety and depression in coordination disorder; the social rejection found here may be one reason why those feelings grow.
Why it matters
When you assess a child with coordination delays, weigh them and ask, "Do kids pick you last for games?" A simple question can reveal stigma you can’t see with a motor test. Add peer inclusion goals or partner activities to your plan. Addressing weight respectfully and building social success may protect both mental and physical health down the line.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Add one quick question—"Do you feel left out at recess or PE?"—to your intake form for any child with suspected DCD.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) experience motor problems that negatively influence their self-perceptions and increase the risk to develop overweight due to physical inactivity. Whether overweight in children with pDCD has an additional impact on their self-perceptions is unclear. Insight in this impact would provide vital information for diagnostics and interventions to enhance physical activity in children with pDCD and overweight. AIMS: Investigate differences in self-perceptions between children with pDCD and overweight (pDCD-O), children with pDCD without overweight (pDCD-NO), and typically developing children (TD). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 366 children (188 boys/178 girls), aged between 7 and 13 years, participated in this study. Thirteen children were categorized as pDCD-O, 51 children as pDCD-NO, and 302 children as TD. Self-perceptions were assessed with the Self-Perception Profile for Children. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Children with pDCD-O perceived themselves lower in social acceptance than children with pDCD-NO and TD children. Children with pDCD-NO perceived themselves lower in athletic competence than TD children, but not than children with pDCD-O. No differences were found for perceived physical appearance and global self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Overweight has an additional negative impact on perceived social acceptance in children with pDCD.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2020 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103601