Parent Perception of Child Health and Weight Status Compared to Measured Body Mass Index
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of obesity throughout the United States (U.S.) is a long-standing and escalating public health concern. Rural dwelling youth are at higher risk of developing obesity compared to urban and suburban counterparts (Rural Health Information Hub, 2022).
Purpose: To drive down the high prevalence of obesity among youth residing in rural areas, the accuracy of parent perceptions about child health and health behaviors was explored. The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) compare parent perception of child BMI status to objectively calculated BMI and (b) compare parent perception of child health to BMI status.
Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of community-based randomized-controlled trial to evaluate Mentored Planning to be Active plus Family (MPBA+F) conducted within 14 Appalachian counties. BMI of study participants was obtained using the Tanita DC-430U Body Composition Analyzer at data collection sites. The 8-item, Likert Promis Child General Health survey and the Qualtrics eligibility screening survey was completed by parents. Bivariate correlations were conducted between parent reported BMI, objectively measured BMI, and parental perception of overall health.
Results: Our study included a total of sixteen respondents (N = 16), ranging from 11-13 years old in age. Most parents classified their child as overweight (56.2%). However, only 12.5% of children were objectively classified as overweight and 87.5% of children were objectively classified as either obese or severely obese. For 44% of children, parents reported a “healthier” weight status compared to actual measures. The majority of parents (93.7%) perceived their child’s health as good, very good, or excellent. Although over 30% of children were severely
obese, no parents perceived their child as having “poor” overall health. Females were perceived to have poorer health (r = -0.828, p < 0.001) compared to males.
Conclusion: Obesity is associated with a higher risk for development of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancers, and is the leading cause of death and disability within the United States. Due to the majority of parents perceiving their child as having “good” or better overall health, we can make the assumption that an inaccuracy in reporting their child’s weight status may indicate a lack of knowledge about health implications that obesity poses on children.
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Keywords
Appalachian, Adolescents, BMI, Health, Parent Perception