Accuracy of anthropometric measurements and weight status perceptions reported by parents of 4-year-old children

AbstractObjective:To assess the validity of self-reported height and weight by parents of 4-year-old children and subjective weight perception.Design:Descriptive cross-sectional study.Setting:Paediatric population living in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.Participants:Children born in 2008–2009 examined at 47–59 months of age. Data were collected by paediatricians of the Madrid Primary Care Physicians Sentinel Network. Parents reported weight and height data. Prevalence of weight status categories was calculated using WHO and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference criteria. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were estimated. The appraisal of their child’s weight perception and parental misperception were assessed.Results:For 2914 children, reported height was underestimated by −1·38 cm, weight by −0·25 kg and BMI was overestimated by +0·41 kg/m2 on average. The prevalence of obesity estimated with reported data was 2·7 times higher than that calculated with measured data (16·2 v. 6·0 %) according to WHO classification, and 3·6 times higher with IOTF classification. Sensitivity to identify obesity was 70·5 %, specificity was 87·3 % and PPV was 26·2 % (WHO classification). Half of the parents of pre-schoolers with obesity failed to identify their child’s weight status. Parental misperception among children classified as having overweight or obesity reached 93·0 and 58·8 %, respectively.Conclusions:Parents underestimated children’s height and weight, leading to an overestimation of the prevalence of obesity. Small inaccuracies in reported measures have an important effect for the estimation of population prevalences. Parents’ report of child weight status is unreliable. Parental awareness and acknowledgement of child weight status should be improved.

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Is child weight status correctly reported to parents? Cross-sectional analysis of National Child Measurement Programme data using ethnic-specific BMI adjustments

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdz188 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. e541-e550

Author(s):

Nicola Firman ◽

Kambiz Boomla ◽

Mohammed T Hudda ◽

John Robson ◽

Peter Whincup ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Asian ◽

Service Provision ◽

Weight Status ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weight Category ◽

Child Weight ◽

Correct Information ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Sectional Analysis

Abstract Background BMI underestimates and overestimates body fat in children from South Asian and Black ethnic groups, respectively. Methods We used cross-sectional NCMP data (2015–17) for 38 270 children in three inner-London local authorities: City & Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets (41% South Asian, 18.8% Black): 20 439 4–5 year-olds (48.9% girls) and 17 831 10–11 year-olds (49.1% girls). We estimated the proportion of parents who would have received different information about their child’s weight status, and the area-level prevalence of obesity—defined as ≥98th centile—had ethnic-specific BMI adjustments been employed in the English National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). Results Had ethnic-specific adjustment been employed, 19.7% (3112/15 830) of parents of children from South Asian backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a heavier weight category, and 19.1% (1381/7217) of parents of children from Black backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a lighter weight category. Ethnic-specific adjustment increased obesity prevalence from 7.9% (95% CI: 7.6, 8.3) to 9.1% (8.7, 9.5) amongst 4–5 year-olds and from 17.5% (16.9, 18.1) to 18.8% (18.2, 19.4) amongst 10–11 year-olds. Conclusions Ethnic-specific adjustment in the NCMP would ensure equitable categorization of weight status, provide correct information to parents and support local service provision for families.

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Obesity and thinness prevalence trends in Spanish schoolchildren: are they two convergent epidemics?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 1019-1025

Author(s):

Miriam Garrido-Miguel ◽

Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno ◽

Ángel Herráiz-Adillo ◽

Jose Alberto Martínez-Hortelano ◽

Alba Soriano-Cano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

Weight Status ◽

Task Force ◽

International Obesity Task Force ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Upward Trend ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Time Period ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to analyse the secular trends in body composition variables and weight status among Spanish schoolchildren from 1992 to 2017, and to examine the persistence in the same weight status category from 2013 to 2017 of the birth cohort in 2007–08. Methods The data for the prevalence/trend analysis were taken from cross-sectional analyses conducted in 1992 (n = 308), 1996 (n = 307), 1998 (n = 275), 2004 (n = 1119), 2010 (n = 912), 2013 (n = 352) and 2017 (n = 275) using similar procedure methods among schoolchildren (aged 4–6 y and 8–11 years) from 22 public schools in the province of Cuenca, Spain. The data for the longitudinal analysis were obtained from cross-sectional analyses of measurements gathered in 2013 and 2017 in the same cohort of children (n = 275) born in 2007 and 2008. Weight, height, body fat percentage (by electronic bioimpedance) and waist circumference were measured by trained personnel. Weight status was defined according to the BMI cut-offs proposed by the International obesity task force (IOTF) criteria. Results In schoolchildren, the overall prevalence of thinness increased from 5.9% in 1992 to 14.5% in 2017, P < 0.001. Whereas, the overall prevalence of obesity/overweight remained relatively steady between the same time period (from 25.2% to 26.9%), P = 0.599. In relation to the longitudinal analyses, we observed that 70.9% of schoolchildren in 2017 remained in the same weight status category as in 2013. Conclusions The child obesity epidemic in Spain has remained relatively stable over the last two decades. However, the prevalence of thinness shows a worrying upward trend.

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Parental perception of child weight and its association with weight-related parenting behaviours and child behaviours: a Chinese national study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001800006x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 1671-1680 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ting Zhang ◽

Li Cai ◽

Jin Jing ◽

Lu Ma ◽

Jun Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

National Study ◽

Parental Perception ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Actual Weight ◽

Child Weight ◽

Parenting Behaviours ◽

Child’S Weight

AbstractObjectiveParents commonly fail to correctly recognize the weight status of their child. Whether parental perception of child weight is associated with weight-related parenting behaviours and child behaviours is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the distribution of parental perception of child weight and its associations with weight-related parenting behaviours and child behaviours in China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSeven provinces in China.SubjectsA total of 47 417 children aged 6–17 years and their parents were included from a national survey in 2013. Parental perception of child weight, weight-related parenting behaviours and child behaviours were self-reported. Child’s weight and height were objectively measured.ResultsA total of 30·5 % of parents underestimated and 8·7 % overestimated the child’s weight. Parental underestimation was more common among younger children, boys and children with a lower BMI Z-score. Parents who perceived that their child had a healthy weight (accurately or inaccurately) were more likely to prepare breakfast for the child, exercise with him/her, set apart his/her exercise time, restrict his/her screen time, and were less likely to store soft drinks for the child. Children perceived to have a healthy weight, regardless of their actual weight status, behaved healthier on dietary intake, physical activity and homework time.ConclusionsParental underestimation of their child’s weight was prominent in China, especially among younger children, boys and children with a lower BMI Z-score. Parental recognition of their child being overweight did not appear to translate into healthy changes in weight-related parenting behaviours or child behaviours.

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

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0147563 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e0147563 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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

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Prevalence of obesity amongst bank employees in Latur city of Maharashtra, India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20193643 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. 3685

Author(s):

Pramod P. Kulkarni ◽

Bhaskar S. Gaikawad ◽

Anant A. Takalkar ◽

Mukund D. Bhise

Keyword(s):

Who Classification ◽

Sedentary Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Social Characteristics ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Microsoft Excel ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Bank Employees ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Background: India is currently experiencing rapid epidemiological transition with rising prevalence of obesity which may be due to sedentary lifestyle and changing dietary pattern. Certain occupations like the job of bank employees are sedentary which predispose individuals to obesity. Hence the present study was carried out to study the prevalence of obesity in bank employees in Latur city of Maharashtra.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 400 bank employees of Latur city. Banks were listed according to sectors i.e. government, co-operative and private. The study subjects were interviewed by predesigned and pretested proforma including bio-social characteristics like age, gender, height, weight etc. The anthropometric measurements were taken like height, weight etc. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed by using appropriate test whenever necessary.Results: According to body mass index (BMI) classification by WHO classification 34.5% subjects were overweight and obese and 25.75% of bank employees had obesity by waist-hip ratio as per WHO classification and 18.5% of bank employees had isolated abdominal obesity.Conclusions: The prevalence of generalized as well as abdominal obesity by WHO classification was more in bank employees. The associated risk factors like age, gender and designation was found to be significant.

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Maternal perceptions of 5-year-old child weight status and factors influencing perceptions: Findings from the ROLO Kids Study

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120001676 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Gouldson ◽

Aisling Geraghty ◽

Eileen O'Brien ◽

Mary Horan ◽

Jean Donnelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Weight Status ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Care Providers ◽

Maternal Perceptions ◽

Kappa Score ◽

Weight Category ◽

Child Weight ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Child’S Weight

AbstractIntroductionObesity is a global condition affecting both adults and children. Mothers play an important role in identifying problems with their child's weight. However, studies are limited on the accuracy of maternal perceptions of her child's weight status in early childhood. The aim of this study was to look at maternal perceptions of her child's weight status in 5-year-old children and to investigate factors influencing this.Materials and Methods339 mother and child pairs were followed up from the ROLO Kids study in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Height and weight of the mother and the child were measured, and BMI was calculated. Demographic details were collected and questionnaires asked mothers to assign their child to a weight category and to give the reason they put their child in this particular category. KAPPA analysis and student t tests were used to analyse the data.ResultsIn this cohort over 75% of the children were normal weight, 14.7% were in the overweight category, and 8.5% in the obese category. The KAPPA score for maternal-perceived category and actual weight status was 0.037 which is a low level of agreement. Mothers were more likely to underestimate their child's weight, with 28.5% underestimating the appropriate weight category for their child compared with 2.4% who overestimated. Maternal age, education, and child sex did not influence accurate weight assessments; however, mothers with a higher BMI were more likely to inaccurately assess their child's weight (P < 0.05).DiscussionMaternal perception of their child's weight status is not an accurate indication of child weight, particularly for mothers with a raised BMI. This research highlights the important role of health care providers in assessing child weight status, rather than relying on parental reports alone, in order to appropriately intervene to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity.

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The Relationship between Obesity and Physical Activity of Children in the Spotlight of Their Parents’ Excessive Body Weight

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238737 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8737

Author(s):

Erik Sigmund ◽

Dagmar Sigmundová

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Status ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Cumulative Effect ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Regular School ◽

Body Weight Status ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity

Background: The study reveals the relationships between daily physical activity (PA) and the prevalence of obesity in family members separated according to the participation of their offspring in organized leisure-time physical activity (OLTPA), and answers the question of whether the participation of children in OLTPA is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity in offspring with respect to parental PA and body weight level. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 1493 parent-child dyads (915/578 mother/father-child aged 4–16 years) from Czechia selected by two-stage stratified random sampling with complete data on body weight status and weekly PA gathered over a regular school week between 2013 and 2019. Results: The children who participated in OLTPA ≥ three times a week had a significantly lower (p < 0.005) prevalence of obesity than the children without participation in OLTPA (5.0% vs. 11.1%). Even in the case of overweight/obese mothers/fathers, the children with OLTPA ≥ three times a week had a significantly lower (p < 0.002) prevalence of obesity than the children without OLTPA (6.7%/4.2% vs. 14.9%/10.7%). Conclusions: The cumulative effect of regular participation in OLTPA and a child’s own PA is a stronger alleviator of children’s obesity than their parents’ risk of overweight/obesity.

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

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120002980 ◽

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.

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Parental Perceptions and Behaviors Regarding Child Weight Status among Toddlers Born Preterm

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1683959 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (05) ◽

pp. 525-533

Author(s):

Jessica Londeree Saleska ◽

Kelly Sheppard ◽

Abigail Norris Turner ◽

Kelly M. Boone ◽

Sarah A. Keim

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Parental Perceptions ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Weight Estimation ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Actual Weight ◽

Child Weight ◽

Child’S Weight

Abstract Objective Childhood obesity is a significant determinant of adult obesity. Among children born preterm, rapid “catch-up growth” in infancy increases the risk of later obesity. Parental perceptions of their child's weight status may compound the child's biologically heightened risk of obesity. Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of data on parental perceptions of child weight status from a randomized controlled trial (2012–2017, n = 331 toddlers born preterm). We used the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to measure parental child feeding behaviors and beliefs. We calculated the prevalence of incorrect weight estimation, and used t-tests and chi-square tests to compare sample characteristics by correct versus incorrect weight estimation. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for factors associated with parental underestimation of child weight status. Results Most (90%) children were of normal weight, whereas 3% were underweight and 7% were overweight. A majority (75%) of parents correctly estimated their child's weight status. Incorrect weight estimation was only associated with child's actual weight. Parents of overweight children were more likely to underestimate their child's weight status than parents of normal weight children (OR: 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 2.00–2.49). Mean CFQ scores differed by the child's actual weight status but not by the child's estimated weight status. Conclusion Among these toddlers born preterm, significantly higher proportions of parents with underweight and overweight children incorrectly estimated their child's weight status relative to parents of normal weight children. Our findings suggest that weight underestimation could be a problem in this population, although it was not associated with changes in feeding practices.

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Disparities in obesity prevalence and obesity-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2017-0098 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Colwick Wilson ◽

Susan Woolford ◽

Leon Wilson ◽

David Williams ◽

Winetta Oloo

Keyword(s):

Trinidad And Tobago ◽

Weight Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Stratified Sample ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

And Gender

Abstract Objective African Americans adolescents have disproportionately high rates of obesity compared to their Caucasian peers. Little is known about the rates of obesity among adolescents of African descent in countries with diverse populations. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and weight-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago and to explore differences by race and gender. Methods In this cross-sectional study, students from a national stratified sample of high schools (n = 42) in Trinidad and Tobago completed a self-administered survey regarding their health habits. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height (via a portable stadiometer) and weight (via a digital scale), and BMI percentiles determined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. Univariate calculations and χ2 analyses were performed to determine obesity prevalence and explore associations between obesity and self-reported demographic factors and weight-related behaviors. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test mean difference in weight status and multivariate analyses explored the role of gender and race after adjusting for covariates. Results Of the 3618 adolescents in the study, 56.3% were female. Race: 31.9% Black-Trinidadian, 33.7% Indo-Trinidadian and 33.4% Mixed-Race. Mean age was 17.6 years. The overall prevalence of obesity was 7%, but this differed by race (Black-Trinidadians 17%, Mixed-Trinidadians 2%, Indo-Trinidadians 1%). Black-Trinidadian girls were most likely to be obese (28.1%) and to engage in obesity related habits than their peers. Conclusion Black-Trinidadian girls have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than their peers. Further work should explore culturally tailored interventions to address obesity prevention and treatment in this group.

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