Perceptions of Primary Caregivers on Children's Weight Status Versus Actual Weight Status in Children Aged 6-15 Years - China, 2021.

Abstract

Childhood obesity has been linked to adverse health outcomes during both childhood and adulthood. An accurate understanding of children's weight status by primary caregivers is essential for effective weight management strategies. The data utilized in this study were obtained from the 2021 Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students in China. It was found that over one-third of primary caregivers underestimated their children's weight status, and more than half of the primary caregivers of overweight or obese children underreported the weight status of those children. A low level of agreement was observed between primary caregivers' perceptions of their children's weight status and the actual weight status. There is a relatively higher underestimation of children's weight in China, which necessitates more effective strategies to enhance the primary caregivers' perception of their children's weight status, especially in primary caregivers of males, younger children and children in urban areas.