What is common becomes normal: the effect of obesity prevalence on maternal perception.
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
; 23(5): 410-6, 2013 May.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22212600
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This analysis investigates the poorly-known effect of local prevalence of childhood obesity on mothers' perception of their children's weight status. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 2008, a national nutritional survey of children attending the third grade of elementary school was conducted in Italy. Children were measured and classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese, using the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs for body mass index (BMI). A parental questionnaire included parental perception of their child's weight status (underweight, normal, a little overweight and a lot overweight). Regions were classified by childhood obesity prevalence (<8%, 8-12%, ≥13%). The association between incorrect maternal perception and regional obesity prevalence, and maternal and child characteristics were examined using bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Complete data were available for 37â590 children, of whom 24% were overweight and 12% obese. Mothers correctly identified the status of 84% of normal weight, 52% of overweight and 14% of obese children. Among overweight children, factors associated with underestimation of the child's weight included lower maternal education (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.4), residence in a high-obesity region (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.9-2.6), male gender (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.6) and child's BMI. CONCLUSION: Higher regional obesity prevalence is associated with lower maternal perception, suggesting that what is common has a greater likelihood of being perceived as normal. As perception is a first step to change, it may be harder to intervene in areas with high-obesity prevalence where intervention is most urgent.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud
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Sobrepeso
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Madres
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Obesidad
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Pregnancy
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
Asunto de la revista:
ANGIOLOGIA
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CARDIOLOGIA
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CIENCIAS DA NUTRICAO
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METABOLISMO
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos