Are Parental Perceptions of Child Activity Levels and Overall Health More Important than Perceptions of Weight?

Abstract

Objectives To examine relationships between parental perceptions of child weight and overall health, reported lifestyle behaviors and measured body mass index (BMI). Methods Using community-partnered methods, we surveyed families residing in a two census tract area identified for targeted interventions to decrease diabetes related disparities. The survey included demographics, child dietary and physical activity behaviors, and parental perception of child’s health and weight. We measured child BMI using a standardized protocol. Results We surveyed parents of 116 children with a mean age of 7 years (range 3–15) with 51 % boys, 74 % Hispanic, and 26 % Black. Over half of the children (55 %) were overweight or obese. Half (50 %) of the parents underestimated their children’s weight. Reported daily hours of walking and/or running trended higher (3.6 vs. 2.6 h, p = 0.08) for children perceived to be of normal weight. Parents who correctly estimated their child’s weight status reported more hours of daily walking/running than parents who underestimated child weight status, 4.5 versus 2.4 h, p = 0.0002. Parents of healthy weight children were more likely to report that children were in excellent or very good health compared to parents of overweight/obese children, 75 versus 56 % respectively (p = 0.04). We found significant racial/ethnic differences in reported diet and physical activity behaviors and perception of overall health. Conclusions for Practice Parental perceptions of child health and physical activity level may be related to perceptions of their child’s weight status. Study findings informed community-based initiatives for reducing diabetes risk among children.

Caregiver Perception of Weight Status in 5-Year-Old Children From a Community of High Socioeconomic Deprivation in New Zealand

“…In NZ, Māori caregivers of children aged 5 years and younger believed that once children started school, they would burn off any excess fat through increased physical activity (27). However, elsewhere, parents of 7-year-old children were more accurate in recognizing their child's overweight or obesity when they perceived their health as poor (29). Indeed, parental recognition of overweight or obesity is more accurate in older than younger children (7,(9)(10)(11).…”

Parental Misperceptions of Their Offspring’s Weight and Their Strategies for Child’s Eating Behavior: A Narrative Review of the Recent Evidence

“…Regarding healthy eating behavior and parental perceptions, it was revealed that children whose parents misperceived their weight status did not follow the optimal dietary pattern [ 29 ] and that when parents underestimated their child’s weight, those children usually watch television during their meals [ 29 ] and spend fewer hours a day walking [ 28 ]. On the other hand, children whose parents accurately classify their children’s body weight have more healthy habits, e.g., daily breakfast, more exercise, less soft drink consumption and less screen time [ 19 ], and generally their parents try encouraging methods to ameliorate their children’s physical activity level [ 24 ] and eating habits [ 10 ].…”

Parents’ Perception of Child Weight Status, Risk Factors and Health Concern of Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

“…Other studies showed that parents perceived that low physical activity and additional hours of watching television as risk factors of childhood obesity 40 . Furthermore, another study showed that some parents perceived walking and/or running are protective factors against childhood obesity 26 . Finally, one study reported parents' perception regarding to health concerns of childhood obesity, thus parents of obese children are more likely to perceived the risk of hypertension (OR = 1.9), heart disease (OR = 2.26), type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.2) and depression (OR= 1.8) relative to parents of healthy weight children 16 .…”