2373Text Box: EFFECTS OF A DIET AND STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAMME ON PREADOLESCENT CHILDREN’S SELF-IMAGE Yu CW1, Sung RYT1, Hau KT2, Lam PKW3, So Raymond4 1Department of Paediatrics, 2Department of Educational Psychology, and 3Center for Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 4Sports Institute, Hong Kong Sports Development Board, Shatin, Hong Kong Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a diet and strength training program on the physical self-concept of preadolescent children. Methods: The instrument used was the Physical Self Description Questionnaires (PSDQ) which involves nine specific components of physical self-concept (health, coordination, physical activity, body fat, sports competence, appearance, strength, flexibility, endurance), global physical self-concept and global esteem. Eighty-two obese children aged 8-11 year old were randomized into Training and Non-training groups. The training group had a 6-week dietary intervention and exercise training program with emphasis on strength training. The non-training group had dietary intervention only. Physical self-concept was assessed before and after the 6-week intervention program. Results: Both groups of children had increases in their height, lean mass and bone mineral content, and a decrease in percentage of fat. PSDQ study indicated that all children felt that they had less body fat and more strength after the six-week program. When comparing to non-training group, children in training group had significantly higher bone mineral content, more lean mass, and greater confidence in coordination and endurance. Conclusion: Both groups of children felt that they had less body fat and more strength after the six-week program. Additional benefit was observed in the Training group in terms of better confidence in coordination and endurance.