Abstract
Maternal perception of child's nutritional status has a potential impact on the identification, prevention, and treatment of childhood overweight. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of misperception and factors associated with maternal perception of the nutritional status of first- to third-grade elementary school students from private schools in the Federal District, Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 554 mother-child pairs. Children's nutritional status was assessed by measuring their weight and height. The mothers completed an online questionnaire about sociodemographic data, maternal nutritional status, maternal perception of her own nutritional status (silhouette scale for female adults), and maternal perception of child's nutritional status (silhouette scale for children). Only 30.0% of the mothers were successful in choosing the most appropriate silhouette to represent child's nutritional status. Highly educated mothers (Adjusted OR = 1.51) and mothers of male children (Adjusted OR = 2.53) or of non-overweight children (Adjusted OR = 1.65) were more likely to underestimate child's nutritional status. Conversely, mothers below 35 years of age (Adjusted OR = 1.85) and mothers of female children (Adjusted OR = 2.24) or of overweight children (Adjusted OR = 1.94) were more likely to overestimate child's nutritional status. There was a high prevalence of misperception, which shows the need for interventions for children that take into account the relevance of mother's role and the adequate recognition of child's nutritional status.
Highlights
The increased prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is considered a public health problem in Brazil and worldwide [1, 2]
With regard to nutritional status, 21.1% of children were overweight and 12.8% were obese, according to body mass index (BMI)-for-age, whereas the prevalence of overweight and obesity among mothers was 28.3% and 11.2%, respectively
Our results showed that 46.2% of mothers of children classified as normal weight according to BMI/age underestimated the nutritional status of their child, 13.1% of which in a moderate or severe level, whereas 23.5% of these mothers overestimated it (Table 2)
Summary
The increased prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is considered a public health problem in Brazil and worldwide [1, 2]. It was estimated in 2014 that 41 million children under five years old were overweight or obese, with increasing rates in middle- and lowincome countries [2]. The last national population survey showed that 33.5% of children from 5 to 9 years of age were overweight and 14.3% were obese [4] These findings deserve special attention, since childhood obesity is directly associated with persistence of this condition into adulthood and with a greater occurrence of associated comorbidities [5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
