Appetite Signaling Proteins, Glucose and Appetite Sensations in Obese Adolescents with Subclinical Binge Eating Disorder

Abstract

Background: Misperception of growth status by parents of young children may be one barrier to effective promotion of healthy growth in primary care practice. Objective: To determine what proportion of parents of young children appropriately identify their child's growth status. Methods: A cross-sectional study of healthy children ages 1 to 5 years was conducted through the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network. Parental perception of their child's growth status was elicited from an item on the nutritional screening tool for preschoolers (NutriSTEPÔ). The children were then measured for height and weight, and a BMI z-score was calculated according to the WHO growth curves. Results: Data were available for a total of 3223 TARGet Kids! participants, recruited between July 2008 and August 2011. Overall, 12.2% of children were underweight, 67.2% of children were normal weight, 15.8% were overweight and 4.8% were obese. 94% and 79% of parents whose children were overweight and obese, respectively, described their children as "about the right weight". 2% and 1% of parents of overweight and obese children, respectively, responded that their children "should weigh more". 65.6% of parents of underweight children reported their child was "about the right weight". Conclusion: Most parents of young children did not recognize their child's weight status. To promote healthy growth, physicians need to effectively communicate to parents the weight status of their children. Strategies for this communication need to be developed and evaluated.