Parents' Perceptions of Their Child's Weight and Health

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23344191
AutoresKathryn C Eckstein (University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee), Laura M Mikhail (Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois), Adolfo J Ariza (0000-0002-1655-9760, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois), J Scott Thomson (0000-0001-6650-1455, Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research Program, Children's Memorial Research Center, Chicago, Illinois), Scott C Millard (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Helen J Binns (0000-0002-3498-0700, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois)
Año2006
Volumen117
Número3
Páginas681-690
Fecha de publicación2006-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPEDIATRICS (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0031-4005 • E-ISSN: 1098-4275
EditorialAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1542/peds.2005-0910
PMID16510647
OpenAlexW1969287844
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas60
Referencias citadas19

OBJECTIVE. This study explored parents' perceptions about their child's appearance and health and evaluated a tool to determine parents' visual perception of their child's weight. METHODS. Parents of children aged 2 to 17 years were surveyed concerning their child's appearance and health and opinions about childhood overweight. They also selected the sketch (from 7 choices) that most closely matched the body image of their child using 1 of 8 gender–and age-range–specific panels of sketches. Children's height and weight were measured. Respondents were grouped by child body mass index (BMI) percentile (<5th, 5–84th, 85–94th [at risk for overweight (AROW)], and ≥95th [overweight]). Those with BMI ≥5th percentile were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to examine factors influencing parental perceptions and levels of worry about their overweight or AROW child. RESULTS. Of the 223 children, 60% were <6 years old, 42% were male, 17% were black, 35% were Hispanic, 42% were white, and 7% were other; 19% were AROW, and 20% were overweight. Few parents (36%) identified their overweight or AROW child as “overweight” or “a little overweight” using words, but more (70%) selected a middle or heavier sketch. Among parents of overweight and AROW children, 18% recalled a doctor’s concern and 26% were worried about their child’s weight. If the overweight or AROW child was age ≥6 years, parents were more likely to identify their child as “overweight” or “a little overweight” using words, select a middle or heavier sketch, and to be worried. Parents of older children were more likely to be worried if they perceived their child as less active/slower than other children or recalled a doctor’s concern. CONCLUSIONS.Few parents of overweight and AROW children recognized their child as overweight or were worried. Recognition of physical activity limitations and physicians’ concerns may heighten the parent's level of concern. Sketches may be a useful tool to identify overweight children when measurements are not available.

Body mass index · Logistic regression · Obesity · Overweight · Percentile · Psychiatry · Worry · Demography · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology · Pediatrics