Mothers' perception of obesity in schoolchildren: a survey and the impact of an educational intervention

A Randomised Control Trial Investigating the Efficacy of the MapMe Intervention on Parental Ability to Correctly Categorise Overweight in Their Child and the Impact on Child BMI Z-Score Change at 1 Year

Research suggests parental ability to recognise when their child has overweight is limited. It is hypothesised that recognition of child overweight/obesity is fundamental to its prevention, acting as a potential barrier to parental action to improve their child's health-related behaviours and/or help seeking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention (MapMe) to improve parental ability to correctly categorise their child as having overweight one-month post-intervention, and reduce child body mass index (BMI) z-score 12 months post-intervention. MapMe consists of body image scales of known child BMI and information on the consequences of childhood overweight, associated health-related behaviours and sources of support. We conducted a three-arm (paper-based MapMe, web-based MapMe and control) randomised control trial in fifteen English local authority areas with parents/guardians of 4-5- and 10-11-year-old children. Parental categorisation of child weight status was assessed using the question 'How would you describe your child's weight at the moment?' Response options were: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and very overweight. Child weight status and BMI z-scores were calculated using objectively measured height and weight data and UK90 clinical thresholds. There was no difference in the percentage of parents correctly categorising their child as having overweight/very overweight (n = 264: 41% control, 48% web-based, and 43% paper-based, p = 0.646). BMI z-scores were significantly reduced for the intervention group at 12 months post-intervention compared to controls (n = 338, mean difference in BMI z-score change -0.11 (95% CI -0.202 to -0.020, p = 0.017). MapMe was associated with a decrease in BMI z-score 12 months post-intervention, although there was no direct evidence of improved parental ability to correctly categorise child overweight status. Further work is needed to replicate these findings in a larger sample of children, investigate mechanisms of action, and determine the use of MapMe as a public health initiative.

How do looking patterns, anti-fat bias, and causal weight attributions relate to adults' judgements of child weight?

Prevailing weight-normative approaches to health pressure adults to visually categorise children's weight, despite little understanding of how such judgements are made. There is no evidence this strategy improves child health, and it may harm children with higher weights. To understand decision-making processes and identify potential mechanisms of harm we examined perceptual and attitudinal factors involved in adults' child weight category judgements. Eye movements of 42 adults were tracked while categorizing the weight of 40 computer-generated images of children (aged 4-5 & 10-11 years) varying in size. Questionnaires assessed child-focused weight bias and causal attributions for child weight. Participants' eye movement patterns resembled those previously reported for adult bodies. Categorisation data showed a perceptual bias towards the 'mid-range' category. For higher weight stimuli, participants whose category judgements most closely matched the stimulus's objective weight had higher child-focused anti-fat bias and weaker genetic attributions for child weight - i.e,. adults who 'label' higher weight in children in line with BMI categories report more stigmatising beliefs about such children, suggesting a possible mechanism of harm. Overall, adults' judgements reflect both unalterable perceptual biases and potentially harmful attitudinal factors, calling into question the feasibility and appropriateness of public health efforts to promote visual child weight categorisation.

Impacts of an early childhood obesity prevention program in Mexico

The Healthy Change Program aimed to improve the accuracy of maternal perceptions of children's weight (MPCW), maternal feeding style (MFS) and feeding practices. Using a randomized control trial design, the intervention group received 4-weekly group sessions focusing on MPCW, MFS and healthy behaviors. The control group received the same dose of attention-control sessions on food hygiene. Data were collected at the baseline and at the end of the program via self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Participants included 294 mother-child dyads with 149 in the intervention group and 145 in the control group. The accuracy of MPCW significantly increased at the study end point in the intervention group (57.0-67.1%, P < 0.05) but not in the control group (67.6-69.7%, P > 0.05), with no between-group difference in pre- and post-change (P > 0.05). At the study end point, more mothers of overweight and obese children in the intervention group had accurate MPCW than their control counterparts (31.4% versus 11.1%, P < 0.01). The intervention group had a shift toward an authoritative style at the study end point (17.4% versus 26.2%, P < 0.001) and favorable changes in feeding practices. The Healthy Change Program contributed to improving the accuracy of MPCW and shifts toward favorable MFS and feeding practices.

Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire and Weight Bias Internalization Scale in children and adolescents

Given the negative consequences of weight bias, including internalized weight stigma, on health outcomes, two instruments—the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS)—have been developed. However, their psychometric properties are yet to be tested for Asian pediatric populations. Method:Participants aged 8 to 12 years (N = 287; 153 boys) completed the WSSQ and the WBIS, and they were classified into either a group with overweight or a group without overweight based on self-reported weight and height. Results:Both WSSQ and WBIS had their factor structures supported by confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs). The measurement invariance of two-factor structure was further supported for WSSQ across gender and weight status. The measurement invariance of single-factor structure was supported for WBIS across gender but not across weight status. Conclusions:WSSQ and WBIS were both valid to assess the internalization of weight bias. However, the two instruments demonstrated different properties and should be applied in different situations.

Overweight and Obesity Among School-aged Children and Maternal Preventive Practices against Childhood Obesity in Select Local Government Areas of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is an emerging epidemic in the developing countries, particularly in the urban settings. This study examines the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children and the maternal preventive practices against childhood obesity.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of school-aged children aged 6-13 years and mothers from two Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study areas and participants, while data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of children were determined using the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2007 reference charts. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with the nutritional status and maternal childhood obesity preventive practices. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.

RESULTS

In all, 440 children comprising of 232 boys (52.7%) and 208 girls (42.3%) were studied. Of these, 29 of the participants (6.6%) were overweight, while 39 of them (8.9%) were obese. Most of the children (71.2%) consumed root/tubers and processed cereals while 9 (0.02%) and (17) 0.04% consumed fruits and vegetables. BMI was only significantly related to child age and sex. In all, 243 mothers (55.2%) had good practices against childhood obesity. Levels of maternal preventive practices were not significantly associated with child BMI.

CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Overweight/obesity among school-aged children in Lagos is high. Only half of the mothers were involved in preventive practices against childhood obesity. There is need for continuous education and advocacy concerning healthy diet and other preventive strategies against childhood obesity in Lagos, and potentially other parts of the developing world.

Study protocol: intervention in maternal perception of preschoolers' weight among Mexican and Mexican-American mothers

Background

Childhood obesity is a public health issue negatively affecting children’s physical and psychosocial health. Mothers are children’s primary caregivers, thus key players in childhood obesity prevention. Studies have indicated that mothers underestimate their children’s weight. If mothers are unaware of their children’s weight problem, they are less likely to participate in activities preventing and treating excess weight. The “Healthy Change” intervention is designed to change maternal perception of child’s weight (MPCW) through peer-led group health education in childcare settings.

Methods/Design

The “Healthy Change” is a multicenter two-arm randomized trial in four centers. Three centers are in Mexican States (Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas). The fourth center is in San Antonio, Texas, USA. A total of 360 mother-child pairs (90 pairs per center) are to be randomly and evenly allocated to either the intervention or the control group. Intervention group will receive four-session group obesity prevention education. Control group will receive a four-session personal and food hygiene education. The education is delivered by trained peer-mother promotoras. Data will be collected using questionnaires and focus groups. The primary outcome is a change in proportion of mothers with accurate MPCW. Secondary outcomes include change in maternal feeding styles and practices, maternal self-efficacy and actions for managing child excessive weight gain.

McNemar’s Test will be used to test the primary outcome. The GLM Univariate procedure will be used to determine intervention effects on secondary outcomes. The models will include the secondary outcome measures as the dependent variables, treatment condition (intervention/control) as the fixed factor, and confounding factors (e.g., mother’s education, children’s gender and age) as covariates. Sub-analyses will be performed to compare intervention effects on primary and secondary outcomes between the samples from Mexico and Texas, USA. Qualitative data will be analyzed through analysis of inductive content. A combined coding model will be developed and used to code transcripts using the NVivo software.

Discussion

Healthy Change intervention could help change MPCW, an initial step for obesity prevention among preschoolers. This study presents a first of its kind intervention available in Spanish and English targeting Mexican and Mexican-American mothers in Mexico and USA.

Trial registration

ISRCTN12281648

Association Between Subjective Obesity Status and Smoking Behavior Among Normal-Weight Women

Smoking and obesity are chief causes of mortality, morbidity, and medical expenditure. However, few studies have investigated the linkage between subjective obesity status and smoking behavior. This study examines whether females in a normal body mass index range who perceive themselves as obese are more likely to smoke than those who do not perceive themselves as obese. Stratifying by age-group, I employed the propensity score matching analysis to control for selection bias. Although body mass index is lower for younger females aged 20 to 39, they are more likely than elder females to consider themselves as obese. Based on a logistic regression, my findings show that younger females who perceive themselves as obese are 21.2% more likely to smoke than females who do not perceive themselves as obese. The positive relationship between perceived obesity status and smoking behavior is also found in the propensity score matching analysis. However, the disparity in smoking prevalence is not detected between elder females who perceive themselves as obese and those who do not. Public education that fosters accurate perception of body shape is imperative in inducing healthy lifestyles and improving social welfare.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN MEASURED AND PERCEIVED NUTRITIONAL STATUS REPORTED BY PRESCHOOL CHILDREN'S MOTHERS

Objective:

To verify the agreement between nutritional status perceived by mothers and that diagnosed in preschool children, by providing the differences according to children’s sex and age.

Methods:

Study with data from a cohort of 269 preschool children assisted in public daycare centers of Campina Grande, Paraíba (Northeast Brazil). Children’s information about their date of birth, sex and nutritional status (weight/stature Z scores) was collected. Furthermore, the mothers were asked about their perception of children’s weight. The diagnostic agreement between the measured nutritional status and that perceived by mothers was assessed through the weighted Kappa test, with a 5% significance level.

Results:

The percentage of disagreement between the measured nutritional status and that perceived by mothers was 32.7%, with Kappa of 0.122, which is considered insignificant. There was a remarkable overweight underestimation (69.6%). Agreement between maternal perception of overweight and the diagnosed nutritional status was higher for older children (36-59 months versus 24-35 months) and for girls.

Conclusions:

The study regarding maternal perception of preschool children’s nutritional status showed the difficulty that mothers face in recognizing the real nutritional status of their children, especially the underestimation of overweight. Maternal perception of overweight in children is misrepresented in boys and in younger children with more importance.

Parental Correlates of Body Weight Status Among High School Students in Tehran

This study aimed to determine the parental correlates of body weight status among adolescents in Tehran. The participants were 465 high school students and their parents who resided in Tehran. Body weight and height of the students were measured, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age and body weight status of the students were determined according to the world health organization growth reference (2007). Parents of the students completed a self-administered questionnaire including socio-demographic information, self-reported parental body weight and height, and parental perception of student's body weight status. About half of the parents had an incorrect perception about body weight status of their children with higher rates of underestimation than overestimation. The percentage of parents who correctly perceived body weight status of the students decreased from 100.0% in severe thinness group to 14.0% in obese group. There were no significant associations between marital status, occupation, and education of parents and BMI-for-age of the students. While, both BMI of mother and BMI of father were significantly associated with students' BMI-for-age (r = 0.29 and r = 0.27, respectively; P < 0.05). A great number of parents had incorrect perception regarding body weight status of their offspring; this was true specifically for parents of overweight and obese students. Both parental BMI and parental perception regarding students' body weight status were associated with students' BMI-for-age, indicating the need for parental involvement in weight management programs targeting adolescents.

Fatores associados à subestimação materna do peso da criança: um estudo de base populacional

Objetivo Investigar os fatores associados à subestimação materna do peso de crianças menores de cinco anos de Goiânia, Goiás. Métodos Estudo transversal, de base populacional, domiciliar, com 673 crianças menores de cinco anos de idade. A percepção materna do peso da criança foi obtida pela pergunta: "Atualmente, o que a senhora (mãe) acha do peso do seu filho?", e o estado nutricional da criança foi avaliado pelo índice de massa corporal por idade. Regressão múltipla de Poisson foi realizada a um nível de significância de 5%. Para a análise de concordância, foi utilizado o teste Kappa. Resultados Das crianças estudadas, 1,6% estavam magras, 87,7% eutróficas e 10,7% com excesso de peso. A maioria das mães (66,0%) identificou corretamente o peso de seus filhos; 5,2% superestimaram, e 28,8% subestimaram. Mães de crianças com excesso de peso, idade superior a 24 meses, apresentaram maior prevalência de subestimação, enquanto as mães com excesso de peso e maior escolaridade apresentaram menor subestimação do peso das crianças. A concordância entre a opinião materna sobre o peso da criança e o real estado nutricional da criança foi de 0,12 (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO Existe uma distorção na percepção materna do peso de crianças menores de cinco anos. A subestimação materna do peso da criança apresentou associação direta com idade e estado nutricional da criança e associação inversa com escolaridade e estado nutricional materno. Sugere-se atenção no atendimento a essas mães com o objetivo de evitar o ganho de peso excessivo nessa idade e prejuízos na saúde da criança.

Evalution of Serum Lipid Profiles in Turkish Children Aged Two to Eighteen Years

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate dyslipidaemia in children according to age, gender, percentiles, mother's education level, breastfeeding duration and areas of residence.

METHODS

A total of 285 children (137 girls; 148 boys), aged between two and 18 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional, epidemiologic study. Lipid profiles were assessed and its relation with sociodemographic features was evaluated.

RESULTS

Dyslipidaemia prevalence was 37.4% (n = 107). High very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are related with percentiles of the children (p = 0.006, p = 0.03, respectively). Gender was a significant factor for VLDL-C, which was higher in girls than boys (p = 0.04). Total cholesterol levels were high in 14 children (4.9%); 72 of the study group (25.3%) had high triglyceride levels; HDL-C levels were low in 52 children (18.2%).

CONCLUSION

All the parameters of dyslipidaemia are not so high in our region. However, as early detection of dyslipidaemia should begin in childhood, we should perform periodic checks to prevent cardiovascular risks.

Parental underestimates of child weight: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Parental perceptions of their children's weight play an important role in obesity prevention and treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of parents worldwide who underestimate their children's weight and moderators of such misperceptions.

METHODS

Original studies published to January 2013 were chosen through literature searches in PUBMED, PSYCHINFO, and CINAHL databases. References of retrieved articles were also searched for relevant studies. Studies were published in English and assessed parental perceptions of children's weight and then compared perceptions to recognized standards for defining overweight based on anthropometric measures. Data were extracted on study-level constructs, child- and parent-characteristics, procedural characteristics, and parental underestimates separately for normal-weight and overweight/obese samples. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models and adjusted for publication bias. Moderators were explored using mixed-effect models.

RESULTS

A total of 69 articles (representing 78 samples; n = 15,791) were included in the overweight/obese meta-analysis. Adjusted effect sizes revealed that 50.7% (95% confidence interval 31.1%-70.2%) of parents underestimate their overweight/obese children's weight. Significant moderators of this effect included child's age and BMI. A total of 52 articles (representing 59 samples; n = 64,895) were included in the normal-weight meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes indicated that 14.3% (95% confidence interval 11.7%-17.4%) of parents underestimate their children's normal-weight status. Significant moderators of this effect included child gender, parent weight, and the method (visual versus nonvisual) in which perception was assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of parents underestimated their children's overweight/obese status and a significant minority underestimated children's normal weight. Pediatricians are well positioned to make efforts to remedy parental underestimates and promote adoption of healthy habits.

The influence of mothers' lifestyle and health behavior on their children: an exploration for oral health

Background:

Parents and teachers involvement reinforce health promotion programs for children's health.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mothers’ lifestyle behavior and its association with children's oral health.

Materials and Methods:

The study was a cross sectional study on 383 children and their mothers who were selected from 6 primary schools in Tehran, Iran. Mothers and children who participated in this study were asked to complete a questionnaire containing demographic questions, knowledge of oral health, attitude towards the oral health behavior, and oral health behaviors. Furthermore, the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were assessed by two calibrated dentists. Data were analyzed with multilevel mixed model analyses.

Results:

The average age of the children and their mothers were 11.6 and 38.4 years, respectively. Mothers’ higher knowledge, higher educational status, positive attitude, higher frequent oral health behaviors, lower DMFT and lower CPI were all associated significantly with children’s higher oral health status.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that to improve children’s oral health, educational interventions should focus on both children and mothers to obtain a more promising outcome.

Self-rated and parent-rated quality of life (QoL) for community-based obese and overweight children

AIMS

To determine the effects of being obese or overweight on quality of life (QoL) of children from a community-based sample and to compare their self-ratings of QoL with their parents' ratings for their children's QoL.

METHODS

Dyads of 8- to 12-year-old children [60 obese, 34 overweight and 127 normal weight (N = 221)] and their parents or caregivers were recruited from southern Taiwan. QoL was assessed by both parent proxy ratings and child self-ratings using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) questionnaire.

RESULTS

Obese children reported significantly lower QoL than did their normal-weight counterparts (83 ± 15 vs. 88 ± 10; p = 0.04). Obese children rated their QoL lower than did their parents in all (Cohen's d = -0.38 to -0.22) but the school domain. Overweight children's and normal-weight children's self-reported QoL was not significantly different, nor were they different from parent-reported QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based obese children reported a lower QoL than did normal-weight children; however, their parents seemed unaware of their children's decreased QoL. Caution is required when using only parent proxy reports to assess the QoL of obese children. More effort is needed in Taiwan to improve parents' understanding of their obese children's QoL.