Overweight Children and Parental Perceptions

Abstract

Purpose: The prevalence of overweight among children has increased dramatically in recent years (Joliffe, 2004). This phenomenon is associated with a number of significant adverse health outcomes. Weight loss and obesity prevention programs for overweight children that involve parents have been and continue to be developed. However, for these programs to be successful, parents must first believe that their child is either currently overweight or at risk for obesity. This study sought to explore accuracy of parental perceptions of their child's weight and risk for developing obesity as an adult. Methods: Forty-six parents of 5–9 year old child patients at an HMO-affiliated pediatric clinic were recruited on the basis of child BMI of 70th percentile or higher. Child height and weight were measured by a trained observer during a routine clinic visit. As part of data collection for an intervention study, parents were mailed a battery of questionnaires, which included questions on their perception of their child's current weight status and whether their child was at risk for developing obesity as an adult. Response categories were “Not at all-below average,” “Average,” or “Above average/Very High.” Results: The average BMI percentile for these children was 89.0 (SD = 8.4). Responses of parents to their child's current weight and adult obesity risk respectively were: Not at all/below average: 5.1% and 31.4%; Average: 82.0% and 41.2%; Above average/Very High: 12.8% and 27.5%. Conclusion: Although all of the children were in the 70th %ile or higher, less than 13% of the parents reported their child as currently overweight, and less than one-third reported that their child's risk for obesity is above average or very high. Clearly there is a significant misperception by parents of their child's weight and risk for obesity. Clinicians need to incorporate this phenomenon into any efforts directed at parents to alter children's weight status. [Supported by TREC NIH awards to Drs. Levy and Sherwood]