Parents' perceptions and dissatisfaction with child silhouette: associated factors among 7-year-old children of the Generation XXI birth cohort.
Eat Weight Disord 2021;
26:1595-1607. [PMID:
32772335 DOI:
10.1007/s40519-020-00953-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
We compared parent's perceived child's silhouette, and investigated predictors of their dissatisfaction.
METHODS
Participants were 4930 mother-child dyads enrolled at a Portuguese birth cohort. Parents' perceptions of child's current and desired silhouette was assessed and dissatisfaction with child's silhouette was defined as the discrepancy between these ratings (current-desired body). Multinomial logistic regressions, adjusted for potential confounders, were performed.
RESULTS
Mothers were more dissatisfied with child's silhouette, compared to fathers, in all weight categories. Mothers and fathers of girls were more dissatisfied, preferring thinner silhouettes (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 2.19; 3.51 and OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.18; 3.66, respectively), compared to parents of boys. Lower birth weight increased maternal desire for a heavier child silhouette. Younger (< 20 years) and less educated (≤ 9 years of schooling) mothers were more dissatisfied with their child's silhouette, preferring heavier children (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.10; 2.48 and OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.42; 2.09, respectively). Parents' own dissatisfaction was also associated with child's silhouette dissatisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Sociodemographic characteristics and parents' dissatisfaction with their own silhouette influenced their dissatisfaction with child's silhouette and should be considered when developing obesity interventions.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III, case-control analytic study.
Collapse