Assessing the Associations of the Parental Beliefs and Practices about Child Feeding and its Impact on Child Weight

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of overweight, obesity among children age in Egypt and severe obesity among of all age groups varies very high, children's obesity is an alarming issue. Continually rising prevalence of obesity and overweight in children is a major public health concern. This is due to its various and serious health hazards on one side and its preventable nature on the other side. The problem primarily relies on the ability of parents to recognize their child's overweight/obesity, and to be aware that obesity is a risk factor for long-term health issues. Several studies showed that many parents are not concerned about their children's body weight, because they either think too little of their child's body weight or believe that obesity is inherited, thus modifiable. Parent's perception of child feeding is one of the influencing causes that contribute to child weight status. Although the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased significantly in Egypt, parents are unable to appreciate obesity in their child. Parental beliefs and practices in children’s nutrition may determine deviations in the acquisition of the child’s food preferences and in their self-regulation, who can influence their nutritional status. Childhood obesity and metabolic complications related thereto emerge as a challenge to global health in the 21st century, given its dramatic increase in the last decade in most countries Aim of the study: to assess of parental beliefs and practices about child feeding and its impact on child weight. Setting: The research was conducted on sample of parents (mother, father, children), living in some regions at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt.