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Hartono S, Niyonsenga T, Cochrane T, Kinfu Y. Effect of migrant parents' bodyweight perception on children's body bodyweight: A longitudinal analysis of population cohort study. SSM Popul Health 2022; 21:101318. [PMID: 36582615 PMCID: PMC9793301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Children of migrants in Australia are disproportionally affected by overweight/obesity. Their parents, however, are likely to put little effort into lifestyle changes if unable to recognise their children's suboptimal bodyweight. We examined the potential impact of migrant parents' bodyweight perception on their children's bodyweight over time and whether the region-of-birth of parents and acculturation to the host nation's way of life moderated the relationship, as very little is known about these in the Australian context. We analysed a sample of 2046 children of migrant parents drawn from 8 waves of population-based cohort data, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, capturing their lived experience from ages 2 to 17. After controlling for child, parent, family, and neighbourhood factors influencing children's bodyweight, multilevel models showed higher children's bodyweight in subsequent waves if their parents perceived children's bodyweight as lower than their actual bodyweight (i.e., underestimation). However, the rate of increase in children's bodyweight attenuated over time. The effect of migrant parents' underestimation on children's subsequent bodyweight differed by region-of-birth, with higher children's bodyweight in successive waves if their parents were from the Americas, compared to migrant parents from North/West Europe. Parents' acculturation, however, did not have a discernible effect. Although migrant parents' bodyweight perception of their children's bodyweight status influenced children's bodyweight in subsequent waves, this factor was not enough to explain the extent of disparities in children's bodyweight observed in the Australian migrant population. Further research is needed to assess the effects of other types of perception (such as perceptions of healthy weight and physical exercise) on bodyweight disparities in children of migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Hartono
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, A.C.T, Australia,Corresponding author.
| | - Theo Niyonsenga
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, A.C.T, Australia,Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, A.C.T, Australia
| | - Tom Cochrane
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, A.C.T, Australia
| | - Yohannes Kinfu
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, A.C.T, Australia
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Gketsios I, Foscolou A, Vassilakou T, Panagiotakos DB, Kosti RI. Parental Misperceptions of Their Offspring's Weight and Their Strategies for Child's Eating Behavior: A Narrative Review of the Recent Evidence. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9101565. [PMID: 36291501 PMCID: PMC9600609 DOI: 10.3390/children9101565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present review was to explore the effect of parental misperceptions of their offspring’s weight status during childhood and early adolescence on weight control strategies and children’s eating behavior. Literature searching was limited to the PubMed database and to the English language from January 2000 to August 2022. Eligible studies had clearly associated parental misperception of offspring’s weight with child eating habits or weight management and eating strategies in childhood to early adolescence. Sixteen studies (14 cross-sectional, 1 longitudinal and 1 with cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses) were included in the analysis. Weight loss attempts and child’s eating behavior were the main outcomes. Sixteen studies found significant associations. Parental misperceptions of their offspring’s weight status do influence their child’s weight and eating behavior, especially in overweight children. Parents tend to follow potentially harmful methods when they overestimate their children’s weight (food restriction) and when they underestimate their children’s weight (pressure to eat). However, additional longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the impact of parental weight status perception on health behaviors and children’s weight gain over time. The potential need for preventive intervention studies is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Gketsios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
| | - Alexandra Foscolou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17671 Athens, Greece
| | - Tonia Vassilakou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17671 Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra 2617, Australia
| | - Rena I. Kosti
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Butler ÉM, Derraik JGB, Burge A, Cutfield WS, Leversha A. Caregiver Perception of Weight Status in 5-Year-Old Children From a Community of High Socioeconomic Deprivation in New Zealand. Front Public Health 2022; 10:641418. [PMID: 35844895 PMCID: PMC9280196 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.641418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early childhood obesity is highly prevalent in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Little is known about caregiver perception of children's weight status among those living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation, particularly Māori and Pacific children. Aims To explore caregiver perception of weight status among children starting school in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation and examine potential associations between the child's body mass index (BMI) z-score and their caregiver's perception of their child's body size or health. Methods Participants were 5-year-old children living in a community of high socioeconomic deprivation and their caregivers. Children had their weight and height measured. BMI z-scores were calculated according to World Health Organization standards. Caregivers were asked to assess their child's BMI and health status, and choose a silhouette that best represented their child's body size. Results One hundred and six children (>75% Māori or Pacific) were included. Over half (58%) had overweight or obesity, with only 16% correctly perceived by their caregiver as overweight. These children tended to have higher BMI z-scores than those not correctly perceived as overweight. Caregivers chose larger silhouettes to represent children's body sizes as children's BMI z-scores increased. There was no discernible association between children's BMI z-scores and caregiver perception of children's health. Conclusions Caregivers appeared to judge their child's body size in comparison to other children. The normalization of childhood obesity and infrequent caregiver recognition of this condition in children in communities with a high prevalence may impact the uptake and efficacy of intervention initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éadaoin M. Butler
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- A Better Start – National Science Challenge, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - José G. B. Derraik
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Environmental - Occupational Health Sciences and Non-Communicable Diseases Research Group, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Alison Burge
- Starship Community Services, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wayne S. Cutfield
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- A Better Start – National Science Challenge, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alison Leversha
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Starship Community Services, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Alison Leversha
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Hernandez RG, Garcia JT, Amankwah EK. A Look Back at Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Patterns among School-Age Children: Are We Neglecting Healthy Weight for Overweight Kids? Child Obes 2020; 15:271-279. [PMID: 30920296 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2018.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To describe prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors (HLBs) between two school-age cohorts of racial-ethnically diverse children. Methods: Using two Early Childhood Longitudinal Study cohorts (ECLS-K 1999 and 2010), we compared percentage change in HLBs (sleep, physical activity, screen time, and family meals) by child weight groups and within racial-ethnic groups. Weight groups of interest included healthy weight (HW; BMI 5th-84th percentile), overweight (OW; ≥ 85th-94th), obese (OB; ≥ 95th-99th percentile), and severely obese (SO; ≥ 99th percentile). Results: OW children within the 2010 cohort reported greater percentage change (range: 2.0%-15.1% increase) in HLBs, whereas HW children demonstrated lower percentage change (range: -6.2% to 8.7% increase). OB and SO children showed significant lower percentage change in reducing screen time (range: -11.0% and -12.7%, respectively). HW Latino children demonstrated the least favorable trends with overall declines noted for 4/5 HLBs. Screen time was noted to have the greatest degree of favorable change (2%-14%) across weight groups, whereas adequate sleep duration demonstrated the lowest favorable percentage change (2%-2.8%). Conclusion: Fewer HW and OB children were participating in recommended HLBs compared with OW children in 2010. Recent health campaigns may have helped providers prioritize the identification and counseling of OW children, yet our data suggest that we may be neglecting the role of HLB counseling in OB and HW children. Continued analysis on the social determinants that impact HLBs in school-age and HW/OB minority children should inform how we can best tailor counseling and messages in the coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel G Hernandez
- 1 Department of Pediatrics Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.,2 Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
| | | | - Ernest K Amankwah
- 1 Department of Pediatrics Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.,2 Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
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Blanchet R, Kengneson CC, Bodnaruc AM, Gunter A, Giroux I. Factors Influencing Parents' and Children's Misperception of Children's Weight Status: a Systematic Review of Current Research. Curr Obes Rep 2019; 8:373-412. [PMID: 31701349 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-019-00361-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Misperception of children's weight status is prevalent among parents and children themselves and may impact parents' and children's health behaviors. This study was conducted in order to provide a descriptive systematic review of research on factors influencing parents' and children's misperceptions of children's weight status published in the past 5 years. RECENT FINDINGS Factors studied most often in relation to parents' and children's misperception included children's weight status, gender, and age, as well as parents' weight status, parental education levels and socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. Most determinants that were found to have a significant influence on misperception in parents also did in children. The literature on misperception of children's weight status is extensive. Most determinants assessed in included studies were known determinants of childhood obesity. Further research should be directed toward better understanding the impact of weight status perception (whether it is accurate or not) on health behaviors and weight gain over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Blanchet
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Cris-Carelle Kengneson
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alexandra M Bodnaruc
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ashley Gunter
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Isabelle Giroux
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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Butler ÉM, Suhag A, Hong Y, Liang L, Gong C, Xiong F, Luo F, Liu G, Chen S, Taylor RW, Cutfield WS, Fu J, Derraik JGB. Parental Perceptions of Obesity in School Children and Subsequent Action. Child Obes 2019; 15:459-467. [PMID: 31408357 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2018.0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: Despite perceiving their child as being above a healthy weight, many parents do not intervene. Little is known about the factors influencing parental action. We assessed parental perception of child's weight status, the prevalence of mitigating parental action, and the underlying factors. Methods: We studied 20,242 children and adolescents from 6 centers across China. Anthropometry was measured by research nurses. Parents answered questionnaires, including their perception of their child's weight status, and any subsequent weight treatment. Results: A total of 3254 children had obesity (16.1%), with 63.0% correctly perceived as overweight by their parents. These children were more likely to be older (≥8 years; p < 0.0001), have severe obesity [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.41; p < 0.0001], and have mothers with overweight/obesity (aRR 1.15; p < 0.0001). In particular, parents of children aged <8 years were over five times more likely to perceive their child with overweight/obesity as "thin" than parents of teenagers. Conversely, girls, older children/adolescents, and urban youth were more likely to be wrongly perceived by parents as having an overweight issue. Only one in four children (27.8%) with available information received treatment for their perceived weight problem. Children with severe obesity were more likely to be treated (aRR 1.34; p < 0.0001), as were children of mothers with overweight/obesity (aRR 1.18; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Only one in four Chinese children perceived as overweight by their parents received treatment for their weight problem. Given that overweight/obesity in childhood tracks into adulthood and many parents did not intervene despite perceiving an overweight problem in their child, interventions for childhood obesity need to extend beyond parental perception of children's weight status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éadaoin M Butler
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,A Better Start-National Science Challenge, New Zealand
| | - Alisha Suhag
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ye Hong
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Liang
- First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunxiu Gong
- Beijing Children's Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feihong Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Geli Liu
- General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaoke Chen
- Maternal and Children Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Rachael W Taylor
- A Better Start-National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wayne S Cutfield
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,A Better Start-National Science Challenge, New Zealand
| | - JunFen Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - José G B Derraik
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,A Better Start-National Science Challenge, New Zealand.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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