Analysing the peer relationships of obese and normal-weight preschool children aged between five and six years
European Early Childhood Education Research Journal | 3 November 2015
The objective of this study is to reveal whether the peer relationships of preschool children who are determined to be obese, based on their body mass index (BMI), differentiate or not. The study was conducted within the frame of a relational survey model. A total of 114 five- to six-year-old children (57 normal-weight children and 57 obese children), who attend preschool educational institutions, participated in the study.
Introduction | Obesity is defined as a multilateral condition that occurs as a result of the deterioration of the balance between energy intake and consumption in favour of the energy intake (Dişçigil 2007). Occurring as a result of malnutrition in children, this condition is caused by genetic, environmental and psychological factors. Psychological factors such as negative relations between mother and father, failure at school and being unable to make friends might adversely affect the mental structure of the child, cause over-eating and finally obesity (Babaoğlu and Hatun 2002; Köksal and Özel 2008; Öztora 2005).
