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Moliterno P, Franceschini S, Donhauser V, Widhalm K. How Parents Perceive Their Children's Body Weight: Insights from a Sample of Schoolchildren from Vienna, Austria. Nutrients 2024; 16:4094. [PMID: 39683488 DOI: 10.3390/nu16234094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2024] [Revised: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 11/26/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Effective school-based childhood obesity prevention strategies should include parental involvement. In the EDDY ("Effect of sports and diet training to prevent obesity and secondary diseases and to influence young children's lifestyle") program, we aimed to describe parental perceptions of children's body weight in a sample of schoolchildren from Vienna, Austria. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis, including 128 children from the third grade in three Viennese primary schools, was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and parentally reported weight and height. Parental perception of the child's weight status was assessed using the question, "In your opinion, you would describe your child as being". Children's nutritional status was assessed through measurements. RESULTS Almost 15% of the children had obesity. The median SDS-BMI was 0.39 (-1.00-2.83) and 0.21 (-1.39-2.47) for girls and boys, respectively. More mothers of girls had overweight/obesity compared to mothers of boys (59.2% vs. 41.1%, p = 0.05). Almost half (48.4%) of the parents underestimated their child's weight. The percentage of mothers with overweight/obesity was higher in the group that underestimated their child's weight (59.3% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.018). Parents perceived 59.4% of the children as having a normal weight, while BMI classification indicated that 71.9% had a normal weight. Misperception was higher among children who were overweight (75%) and obese (89.5%). Parents of children with a normal weight were less likely to underestimate [Adjusted OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.050-0.49)]. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of misperception was high, especially for children with overweight or obesity. These findings highlight the need to incorporate children's adequate weight recognition into the EDDY program as part of parents' content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Moliterno
- Austrian Academic Institute for Clinical Nutrition, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Victoria Donhauser
- Austrian Academic Institute for Clinical Nutrition, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kurt Widhalm
- Austrian Academic Institute for Clinical Nutrition, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Clinical Nutrition and Prevention, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Lee S. Impact of the child's birth weight on maternal misperceptions of young children's weight: A retrospective study with nationally representative data. Jpn J Nurs Sci 2024; 21:e12610. [PMID: 38894593 DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
AIM A young child's abnormal birth weight (BW) can affect a mother's misperceptions of her child's weight, potentially hindering the child's health management. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of children's BW on maternal misperceptions of children's weight during early childhood. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted for 485,095 children who were 54-60 months of age, born between 2011 and 2013, and participated in South Korea's Sixth National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC). Data on BW, weight, sex, birth year, preterm birth, breastfeeding history, maternal age, mothers' perceptions of the child's weight, and socioeconomic status were collected and incorporated in the final analysis via data linkage between the NHSPIC and Korean healthcare claims information. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identity the impact of BW on mothers' misperceptions of children's weight, after adjustment for all variables. RESULTS Low BW (LBW) children had the lowest proportion (57.1%) of mothers who accurately identified their child's weight compared to normal or high BW. LBW was an independent factor affected maternal misperception of the child's weight (underestimation: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41-1.52; overestimation: aOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97). Overweight or underweight status, male gender, preterm birth, a younger mother, and low socioeconomic status were also associated with both underestimation and overestimation. CONCLUSION LBW emerged as an important risk factor for maternal misperception of a child's weight. Therefore, pediatric nurses need to apply interventions to improve perceptions of children's weight among mothers of young LBW children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangmi Lee
- College of Nursing, Dongyang University, Yeongju, South Korea
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Mebarak M, Mendoza J, Romero D, Amar J. Healthy Life Habits in Caregivers of Children in Vulnerable Populations: A Cluster Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:537. [PMID: 38791757 PMCID: PMC11121232 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Intervention programs aimed at mitigating the effects of chronic noncommunicable disease (CNDs) focus on promoting healthy lifestyle habits (HLH), especially in the early stages of life. Because of this, different typologies of caregivers have been identified according to HLH during middle childhood and adolescence. However, the available studies have focused on aspects such as nutrition, physical activity, and rest, ignoring other HLHs that are equally important for children's well-being. Likewise, few studies address HLH during the first five years of life and how caregivers affect children's health. In a sample of 544 caregivers of children aged zero to five years from low-income Colombian communities, we established a typology of attitudes toward different HLHs. The results indicate the presence of three clusters that grouped caregivers with (1) positive attitudes toward all HLHs, (2) toward some HLHs, and (3) relatively low positive attitudes toward all HLHs. Membership in clusters with less positive attitudes toward HLHs was also found to be associated with low educational levels and living in rural areas. This study detected profiles of caregivers who may have unhealthy lifestyles, so the results would allow social workers to design differential interventions on HLHs in non-industrialized countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Mebarak
- Human Development Research Center, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia; (M.M.); (J.A.)
- Department of Psychology, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia;
| | - Juan Mendoza
- Department of Psychology, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia;
| | - Duban Romero
- Human Development Research Center, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia; (M.M.); (J.A.)
| | - José Amar
- Human Development Research Center, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia; (M.M.); (J.A.)
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Zong XN, Li H. Growth and development of children in China: achievements, problems and prospects. World J Pediatr 2024; 20:97-104. [PMID: 38010441 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-023-00759-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Nan Zong
- Department of Growth and Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Growth and Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, 100020, China.
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Oliver Olid A, de la O V, Bueso OE, Moreno-Villares JM, Martínez-González MÁ, Martín-Calvo N. Longer Breastfeeding Duration is Associated With Lower Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods in a Sample of Spanish Preschoolers: The SENDO Project. J Acad Nutr Diet 2023; 123:1555-1567. [PMID: 37276962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding has been linked to a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables at ages 4 to 5 years. More recently, it has been suggested that it may also be associated with lower ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption in childhood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess whether breastfeeding duration was associated with consumption of UPF in a sample of Mediterranean preschoolers. DESIGN This study involved a cross-sectional analysis of baseline information of children in the Child Follow-Up for Optimal Development cohort. Children were enrolled at ages 4 to 5 years and information was gathered through an online questionnaire completed by parents. Dietary information was collected with a previously validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and foods were classified based on the degree of processing according to the NOVA classification. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING This study used baseline information for 806 participants enrolled in the Child Follow-Up for Optimal Development cohort between January 2015 and June 2021 in Spain. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Main study outcome measures were difference in grams per day and in the percentage of total energy intake from UPF consumption related to breastfeeding duration, and odds ratio that UPF represents a high percentage of total energy intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSES Crude and multivariable adjusted estimates were calculated with generalized estimating equations to account for intracluster correlation between siblings. RESULTS The prevalence of breastfeeding in the sample was 84%. After adjusting for potential confounders, children who were breastfed for some time reported significantly lower consumption of UPF than children who were not breastfed at all. The mean differences were -19.2 g (95% CI -44.2 to 10.8) for children who were breastfed for <6 months, -42.5 g (95% CI -77.2 to -7.80) for those who were breastfed for 6 to 12 months, and -43.6 g (95% CI -79.8 to -7.48) for those who were breastfed for 12 months or more (P value for trend = 0.01). After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with children who were not breastfed, those who were breastfed for ≥12 months had consistently lower odds of UPF representing more than 25%, 30%, 35%, and 40% of total energy intake. CONCLUSIONS Breastfeeding is associated with lower consumption of UPF in Spanish preschoolers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asier Oliver Olid
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Víctor de la O
- IMDEA Research Institute on Food & Health Sciences. Precision Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Health, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Miguel Ángel Martínez-González
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nerea Martín-Calvo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.
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Carretero-Bravo J, Díaz-Rodríguez M, Ferriz-Mas BC, Pérez-Muñoz C, González-Caballero JL. The Preschool Eating, Lifestyle, and Sleeping Attitudes Scale (PRELSA Scale): Construction and Pilot Testing of a Tool to Measure Factors Associated with Childhood Obesity. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101365. [PMID: 37239651 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Childhood obesity poses a global health challenge. In the period from two to six years, the fundamental risk factors are associated with modifiable habits, related to parental attitudes. In this study, we will analyze the construction and pilot test of the PRELSA Scale, designed to be a comprehensive tool that covers the whole problem of childhood obesity, from which we can later develop a brief instrument. (2) Methods: First, we described the scale construction process. After that, we conducted a pilot test on parents to check the instrument's comprehensibility, acceptability, and feasibility. We detected items to be modified or eliminated through two criteria: the frequencies of the categories of each item and responses in the Not Understood/Confused category. Finally, we sought expert opinion through a questionnaire to ensure the content validity of the scale. (3) Results: The pilot test on parents detected 20 possible items for modification and other changes in the instrument. The experts' questionnaire showed good values on the scale's content, highlighting some feasibility problems. The final version of the scale went from 69 items to 60. (4) Conclusions: Developing scales that detect parental attitudes associated with the onset of childhood obesity may be the basis for future interventions to address this health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Carretero-Bravo
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, University of Cadiz, Avenida Ana de Viya 52, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Mercedes Díaz-Rodríguez
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, Avenida Ana de Viya 52, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | | | - Celia Pérez-Muñoz
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, Avenida Ana de Viya 52, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Luis González-Caballero
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Cadiz, Polígono Río San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
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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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