Childhood Obesity: Parental Misperception of Child’s Body Weight Status and Associated Factors
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Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise. Accurate parental awareness of their child’s body weight status is imperative in helping them maintain a healthy lifestyle and ideal body weight. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of parental perception of their child’s body weight status and identify factors influencing their perception. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 586 parents of school-going children aged between 10 to 11 years, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Parents responded to a self-administered questionnaire regarding their characteristics and perception of their child’s weight status. Parental perception of their child’s body weight status was compared with the actual body mass index (BMI) of the child. Parental attitude towards childhood obesity was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Results: Thirty-nine percent of parents underestimated their child’s body weight status. Among parents of children who were overweight and obese, 54.0% underestimated their child’s body weight status. The child’s BMI (OR 2.25, 95% CI:1.15-3.34) and parental attitude towards childhood obesity (OR 1.48, 95% CI:1.02-2.17) had a significant association with parental perception. Conclusion: More than one-third of parents misperceived their child’s weight status. This was especially prominent among parents of overweight and obese children. The child’s BMI and parental attitude towards childhood obesity were significantly associated with parental perception of their child’s weight status.
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