scholarly journals Parental concerns about childhood obesity and the strategies employed to prevent unhealthy weight gain in children

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Crawford ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Amanda Telford ◽  
Jo Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Weight Concerns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Unhealthy Weight ◽  
Current Weight ◽  
Child’S Weight

AbstractObjectivesTo describe parental concerns about their child's weight, to determine the proportion of parents taking preventive action to avoid obesity in their children and the predictors of taking preventive action, and to describe the strategies adopted by parents.DesignA cross-sectional survey was conducted. Children's heights and weights were measured, and parents completed a questionnaire that included measures of their own weight status, perceptions of their child's weight, concerns about their child's current weight and future weight as an adolescent and adult, and the strategies used to prevent obesity.SettingThe study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia.SubjectsA total of 291 families of children aged 5–6 years and 919 families of children aged 10–12 years participated.ResultsEighty-nine per cent of parents of overweight 5–6-year-olds and 63% of parents of overweight 10–12-year-olds were unaware their child was overweight. Seventy-one per cent of parents of overweight 5–6-year-olds and 43% of parents of overweight 10–12-year-olds were not concerned about their child's current weight. Although 31% of parents of 5–6-year-olds and 43% of parents of 10–12-year-olds were taking action to prevent unhealthy weight gain in their children, less-educated parents were less likely to do so.ConclusionsPublic health programmes are required to raise parental recognition of childhood overweight and of related risk behaviours, and to provide parents with practical strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain in their children.

Changes in Health Behaviors Associated With Weight Gain by Weight Classification During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110229
Author(s):  
Kristie Rupp ◽  
Ciarán P. Friel
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Online Panels

Purpose: To determine whether perceived changes (i.e. perception of engagement during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic) in specific health behaviors differ by weight status (i.e. healthy weight, overweight, obese). Design: Cross-sectional. Recruitment took place between June-August 2020, via social media posts and Qualtrics online panels. Setting: Participants completed the survey online through the Qualtrics platform. Sample: Analyses included N = 502 participants (≥18 years); 45.2% healthy weight (n = 227), 28.5% overweight (n = 143), and 26.3% obese (n = 132). Measures: Study-specific survey items included questions about demographics and perceived changes in health behaviors. Analysis: Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and COVID-19 diagnosis, assessed the odds of perceiving changes in health behaviors considered a risk for weight gain. Results: Participants with obesity, but not overweight, were significantly more likely to report deleterious changes to health behaviors compared to healthy weight peers, including: (1) decreased fruit/vegetable consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.13, 3.26)]; (2) increased processed food consumption [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI: (1.15, 3.00)]; (3) increased caloric intake [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: (1.06, 2.61)]; (4) decreased physical activity [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.31, 3.28)]; and (5) deterioration in sleep quality [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.32, 3.25)]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adults with obesity may be at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors during a period of prolonged social distancing, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic.

scholarly journals Awareness and knowledge about weight status and management: results from the 1 d sensitization campaign ‘Obesity Day’ in northern Italy

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1813-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Barichella ◽  
Alexis E Malavazos ◽  
Giuseppe Fatati ◽  
Emanuele Cereda
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the awareness and knowledge about weight status and its management.DesignA 1 d cross-sectional survey. Basic anthropometric assessments (weight, height, BMI and waist circumference) and a self-administered questionnaire were considered.SettingNineteen Clinical Nutrition or Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders Units or Dietetics Services in the Italian region of Lombardy.SubjectsAll adults attending the ‘Obesity Day’ initiative.ResultsA total of 914 participants (605 female and 309 male) were recruited. Although most of the participants (83·5 %) considered obesity to be a disease, 38·5 % were likely to misperceive their weight status. In particular, 38·8 % of normal-weight adults believed themselves to be overweight, whereas 71·1 % and 37·5 % of classes I and II/III obese adults classified themselves as being overweight and mildly obese, respectively. However, most of the overweight (90·2 %), mildly (96·8 %) and moderately/severely obese adults (99·1 %) recognized the need to lose weight. In all, 37·8 % of the sample underestimated the role of physical activity in weight management. Interestingly, only 17·2 % of dieters (previous or current) declared being advised by their doctor to lose weight. Multivariate models revealed that higher age, low education and higher BMI were important determinants of poor weight control and management. In addition, previous dieting appeared not to provide better knowledge, whereas the role of physical activity was recognized mainly by those practising it.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that in Italy knowledge about weight management should be improved not only in the general population but also among health-care professionals. To confirm this finding, there is now the rationale for a nationally representative survey. New educational programmes can be designed on the basis of the information collected.

scholarly journals Singaporean Mothers’ Perception of Their Three-year-old Child’s Weight Status: A Cross-Sectional Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e0147563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuck Seng Cheng ◽  
See Ling Loy ◽  
Yin Bun Cheung ◽  
Jerry Kok Yen Chan ◽  
Mya Thway Tint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Child’S Weight

Caregivers’ Feeding Behavior, Children's Eating Behavior, and Weight Status among Children of Preschool Age in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yuan ◽  
Xun Jiang ◽  
Tongyu Zhu ◽  
Yuhai Zhang ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Weight Concerns ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Childhood overweight and obesity have become significant public health challenges worldwide. This study aimed to explore whether caregivers’ feeding behavior and children’s eating behavior were associated with the weight status of preschool children in China.Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 912 caregivers of preschool children from April to July 2016. Caregivers’ feeding behaviors were assessed by the Chinese Preschooler’s Caregiver Feeding Behavior Scale (CPCFBS). Children’s eating behaviors were evaluated using the Chinese Preschooler’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CPEBQ). After controlling for demographic characteristics, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between caregivers’ feeding behavior, children's eating behavior, and children's body mass index (BMI). Results The results showed that weight concerns on the part of caregivers (β=0.53) and food responsiveness on the part of children (β=0.93) were positively correlated with children’s BMI, whereas caregivers’ responsibility for feeding (β=-0.68) and children’s external eating (β=-0.53) were negatively correlated with BMI. Among caregiver feeding behaviors, weight concerns (OR=4.54, P<0.001) and behavior-restricted feeding (OR=0.29, P<0.001) were positively correlated with children’s BMI. A child’s food responsiveness (OR=4.04, P<0.001) was also positively correlated with his/her BMI, while the child’s satiety responsiveness (OR=0.42, P<0.001) and emotional eating habits (OR=0.56, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with overweight/obesity status. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that children’s eating behavior and caregivers’ feeding behavior were associated with weight status among preschool children in China. Behavior interventions on caregivers as well as their children may prevent or reduce weight problems in preschool children. Trial registration This study was not a clinical experiment.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MENSTRUAL CYCLE CHARACTERISTICS AND PERCEIVED BODY IMAGE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF POLISH FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kaczmarek ◽  
Sylwia Trambacz-Oleszak
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Ideal Body Image ◽  
Self Discrepancy

SummaryThe increasing prevalence of negative body perceptions among adolescent girls and the tendency towards wishing to be thinner have become a cultural norm in Western culture. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to developing a negative body image due to physical and sexual changes occurring during puberty. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different measures of body image perceptions and different phases of the menstrual cycle after controlling for weight status and other potential confounders in Polish adolescent girls aged 12–18 years. Three-hundred and thirty participants of a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009, normally cycling and with no eating disorders, completed a background questionnaire and the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, and their anthropometric measurements were collected. The dependent outcome variables were measures of body image (actual body image, ideal body image and ideal-self discrepancy) and dichotomous body image perception (satisfied versus dissatisfied) adjusted for other predictor factors: socio-demographic variables, menstrual history and cycle phases, and weight status. One-way ANOVA indicated that weight status, age at menarche and menstrual cycle phase were associated with actual body image and rate of ideal-self discrepancy. Ideal body image was associated with weight status and menstrual cycle phase. General logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate associations of body dissatisfaction and all potential predictor variables. The final selected model of the multiple logistic regression analysis using the backward elimination procedure revealed that adjusted for other factors, negative body image was significantly associated with different phases of the menstrual cycle (ptrend=0.033) and increasing body weight status (ptrend=0.0007). The likelihood of body dissatisfaction was greatest during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.06, 5.32) and among girls in obesity class I (OR=8.04; 95% CI 2.37, 27.26). The study confirmed the association between body image dissatisfaction in adolescent girls and different phases of the menstrual cycle after controlling for weight status. The issue of negative body self-image is not only of cognitive, but also of practical value as understanding better the factors contributing to the formation of a negative body image may be instrumental in developing preventive health programmes targeted at young people.

scholarly journals Large proportions of overweight and obese children, as well as their parents, underestimate children’s weight status across Europe. The ENERGY (EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth) project

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 2183-2190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannis Manios ◽  
George Moschonis ◽  
Kalliopi Karatzi ◽  
Odysseas Androutsos ◽  
Mai Chinapaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Excessive Weight Gain ◽  
Actual Weight ◽  
Excessive Weight ◽  
Child’S Weight

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the magnitude and country-specific differences in underestimation of children’s weight status by children and their parents in Europe and to further explore its associations with family characteristics and sociodemographic factors.DesignChildren’s weight and height were objectively measured. Parental anthropometric and sociodemographic data were self-reported. Children and their parents were asked to comment on children’s weight status based on five-point Likert-type scales, ranging from ‘I am much too thin’ to ‘I am much too fat’ (children) and ‘My child’s weight is way too little’ to ‘My child’s weight is way too much’ (parents). These data were combined with children’s actual weight status, in order to assess underestimation of children’s weight status by children themselves and by their parents, respectively. Chi-square tests and multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the aims of the current study.SettingEight European countries participating in the ENERGY (EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth) project.SubjectsA school-based survey among 6113 children aged 10–12 years and their parents.ResultsIn the total sample, 42·9 % of overweight/obese children and 27·6 % of parents of overweight/obese children underestimated their and their children’s weight status, respectively. A higher likelihood for this underestimation of weight status by children and their parents was observed in Eastern and Southern compared with Central/Northern countries. Overweight or obese parents (OR=1·81; 95 % CI 1·39, 2·35 and OR=1·78, 95 % CI 1·22, 2·60), parents of boys (OR=1·32; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·67) and children from overweight/obese (OR=1·60; 95 % CI 1·29, 1·98 and OR=1·76; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·41) or unemployed parents (OR=1·53; 95 % CI 1·22, 1·92) were more likely to underestimate children’s weight status.ConclusionsChildren of overweight or obese parents, those from Eastern and Southern Europe, boys, younger children and children with unemployed parents were more likely to underestimate their actual weight status. Overweight or obese parents and parents of boys were more likely to underestimate the actual weight status of their children. In obesity prevention such underestimation may be a barrier for behavioural change.

scholarly journals Parental concerns and uptake of childhood vaccines in rural Tanzania – a mixed methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavanya Vasudevan ◽  
Joy Noel Baumgartner ◽  
Sara Moses ◽  
Esther Ngadaya ◽  
Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Childhood Vaccines

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy has been recognized as an important barrier to timely vaccinations around the world, including in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, 1 in 4 children is not fully vaccinated. The objective of this mixed methods study was to describe and contextualize parental concerns towards vaccines in Tanzania. Methods Between 2016 and 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (n = 134) and four focus group discussions (FGDs, n = 38) with mothers of children under 2 years of age residing in Mtwara region in Southern Tanzania. The survey and FGDs assessed vaccination knowledge and concerns and barriers to timely vaccinations. Vaccination information was obtained from government-issued vaccination cards. Results In the cross-sectional survey, 72% of mothers reported missed or delayed receipt of vaccines for their child. Although vaccine coverage was high, timeliness of vaccinations was lower and varied by vaccine. Rural mothers reported more vaccine-related concerns compared to urban mothers; literacy and access to information were identified as key drivers of the difference. Mothers participating in FGDs indicated high perceived risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses, but expressed concerns related to poor geographic accessibility, unreliability of services, and missed opportunities for vaccinations resulting from provider efforts to minimize vaccine wastage. Conclusions Findings from our cross-sectional survey indicate the presence of vaccination delays and maternal concerns related to childhood vaccines in Tanzania. In FGDs, mothers raised issues related to convenience more often than issues related to vaccine confidence or complacency. Further research is necessary to understand how these issues may contribute to the emergence and persistence of vaccine hesitancy and to identify effective mitigation strategies.

scholarly journals Fathers’ perception of child's weight and paternal feeding practices in relation to child's gender

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Rahill ◽  
Aileen Kennedy ◽  
John Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Structure Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Likert Scale Response ◽  
Child’S Weight

AbstractThe role of fathers in child rearing has changed in recent years due to an increase in maternal employment, which has increased the prevalence of co-parenting. It is important therefore to establish the role fathers have in feeding their child and how their attitudes and perceptions may influence the strategies they employ during mealtimes. In addition, research suggests that maternal and paternal feeding practices are associated with child's gender and weight status. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the association between fathers’ perception of child's weight and paternal non-responsive and structure-related feeding practices, and the extent to which this is mediated by a child's gender.Cross-sectional data from an Irish sample of fathers, who completed an online survey based on one of their children aged 5–12 years old (n = 155). The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) assessed paternal feeding practices, and it was validated for use within this sample. A 5-point Likert scale response ranging from Very Underweight to Very Overweight to the question “Do you think your child is . . ?” assessed fathers’ perception of child's weight. Associations were assessed using multiple linear regressions.Fathers who perceived their sons as underweight reported higher levels of rewarding the child to eat (β = .24; p = 0.04) and overt restriction (β = .27; p = 0.03) than fathers who perceived their sons to be normal weight. Fathers who perceived their sons as overweight reported higher levels of overt restriction (β = .26; p = 0.04) than fathers who perceived their son to be normal weight. In relation to daughters, fathers who perceived them as underweight reported higher levels of both reward for behaviour (β = .28; p = 0.006) and reward for eating (β = .20; p = 0.04), while fathers who perceived their daughters as overweight reported lower levels of structured mealtimes (β = -.27; p = 0.012) compared to fathers who perceived their daughter as normal weight.Findings suggest that paternal perception of child's weight influences the type of feeding practices utilised by fathers, with the child's gender a mediating influence on reported specific feeding practices. Overall, fathers who perceive their son or daughter to be underweight or overweight appear to engage in more non-responsive and less structure-related feeding practices than fathers who perceive their child to be normal weight.

scholarly journals Body fatness or anthropometry for assessment of unhealthy weight status? Comparison between methods in South African children and adolescents

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 2005-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Craig ◽  
John Reilly ◽  
Ruth Bland
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Fatness ◽  
Unhealthy Weight

AbstractObjectiveA variety of methods are available for defining undernutrition (thinness/underweight/under-fat) and overnutrition (overweight/obesity/over-fat). The extent to which these definitions agree is unclear. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess agreement between widely used methods of assessing nutritional status in children and adolescents, and to examine the benefit of body composition estimates.DesignThe main objective of the cross-sectional study was to assess underweight, overweight and obesity using four methods: (i) BMI-for-age using WHO (2007) reference data; (ii) BMI-for-age using Cole et al. and International Obesity Taskforce cut-offs; (iii) weight-for-age using the National Centre for Health Statistics/WHO growth reference 1977; and (iv) body fat percentage estimated by bio-impedance (body fat reference curves for children of McCarthy et al., 2006). Comparisons were made between methods using weighted kappa analyses.SettingRural South Africa.SubjectsIndividuals (n 1519) in three age groups (school grade 1, mean age 7 years; grade 5, mean age 11 years; grade 9, mean age 15 years).ResultsIn boys, prevalence of unhealthy weight status (both under- and overnutrition) was much higher at all ages with body fatness measures than with simple anthropometric proxies for body fatness; agreement between fatness and weight-based measures was fair or slight using Landis and Koch categories. In girls, prevalence of unhealthy weight status was also higher with body fatness than with proxies, although agreement between measures ranged from fair to substantial.ConclusionsMethods for defining under- and overnutrition should not be considered equivalent. Weight-based measures provide highly conservative estimates of unhealthy weight status, possibly more conservative in boys. Simple body composition measures may be more informative than anthropometry for nutritional surveillance of children and adolescents.

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