Perceptions of Employed Parents About Early Childhood Obesity and the Need for Prevention Strategies

Abstract

Responses to the increased prevalence of childhood obesity are merging, and employed parents will become targets for strategies designed to prevent childhood obesity. This study aimed at describing their perceptions of employed parents about childhood obesity and determining which prevention strategies they would need the most. In this cross-sectional study, 504 employed parents were recruited from 33 child care centers in Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada) who completed a self-administered questionnaire on their perceptions about childhood obesity and the need for prevention strategies. Logistic regression was used to explore differences in needs for prevention strategies according to participant characteristics. Most participants were female, aged 32.9 ± 4.9 years, and perceived childhood obesity was an important problem. The prevention strategies that seemed most needed were the implementation of (a) physical and nutrition education programs in child care settings and (b) measures that give employed parents more time to cook for and be physically active with their children. Support for specific strategies differed across genders and education levels. Moreover, they depended on the perceived relationship between work and meal preparation. Policy makers should be aware of the needs of employed parents to develop policies that would have the greatest likelihood of success in this population.

Support for obesity policy: The effect of perceptions of causes for obesity and national identity in Canada

“…There has been little research on obesity policy support in Canada, and existing research focuses on childhood obesity. For example, Morin et al found that gender and education have an effect on the types of childhood obesity prevention strategies that Québécois parents would prefer [10]. The greatest preference came for physical and nutrition education programs in childcare settings and measures that would allow employed parents more time to cook and engage in physical activity with their children.…”