Relationship Between Parents' and Children's Weight Perceptions Results of a Survey

Abstract

Self-recognition of overweight status is often the initial step toward successful weight management. Among children, parental recognition of overweight status in their child may also be necessary for weight management success given the role of parents in engaging their child in weight-related behaviors. This study explored parental influence on their child's weight self-perception and their child's desire to lose weight. In total, 718 children and their parents were surveyed concerning children's personal weight status. The effect of parental weight perceptions on their child's weight self-perception and their child's desire to lose weight (among children ≥ 85th body mass index percentile for age and sex) was evaluated using generalized estimating equation (GEE) modeling. In GEE regression analyses, children's perceptions of their own weight (correct vs incorrect) were significantly associated with their parents' ability to correctly recognize their child's weight status. Among overweight and obese children, desire to lose weight was strongly associated with parental ability to correctly recognize their child's weight status. Children's self-perceptions of weight and overweight and obese children's desire to lose weight are strongly associated with parental perceptions of their child's weight. Our data indicate that interventions promoting healthy weight perceptions for pediatric weight management should target not only children but also their parents.