Comparisons of Parent Cardiovascular Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Based on Screening and Perceived Child Risks

Abstract

Questionnaire reports and universal screening procedures from 244 children (kindergarten, 5th grade, and 9th grade) were used to explore differences in parent health knowledge and attitudes of cardiovascular risks among children and parental involvement in promoting healthy lifestyles relative to whether their children were identified as being overweight or at risk of being overweight. The knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the parents of children who were identified as being at risk or overweight were further examined based on their perceptions of their children's level of risk. Parents' reports demonstrated significantly greater parent encouragement and knowledge of issues related to eating healthier foods and ways to cut calories among parents of children who were identified as being at risk or already overweight. A significant portion of parents underestimated their children's weight risks. Differences in parents' appraisals of their children's overweight risks were associated with differences in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. These findings illustrate the need to address inaccuracies in parents' assessments of their children's overweight risks to improve parent investment and involvement in children's health modification programs.

Childhood Obesity Perceptions Among African American Caregivers in a Rural Georgia Community: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…Interviewees that commented on health effects of the reproductive system worked in the healthcare field. Although no studies were found on rural, African American caregivers' perceptions of obesity health complications the study findings rebutted prior studies with a majority White sample [40,41]. These studies concluded caregivers fail to recognize their child is at an increased risk for physical and mental health problems caused by obesity and overweight [40,41].…”

“Childhood overweight and obesity: maternal perceptions of the time for engaging in child weight management”

“…According to psychological health theories, the perception of risks is an essential requirement for health behavior change. As numerous studies have shown, many parents often fail to recognize the overweight or at-risk status of their child and the associated health problems [5-8]. Factors predicting the underestimation of weight and risk status of the child are the child’s young age, rapid weight gain in infancy, the mother’s and child’s higher weight status, as well as lower educational attainment and an African-American background [9-15].…”

Trends in serum lipids among 5th grade CARDIAC participants, 2002–2012

“…This is particularly important given the limited per capita income of families living in the state and the need to provide health screenings to all children 16. For over a decade, CARDIAC has provided information to participating families, communities, the state and nation17 about chronic illnesses including hypertension, abnormal blood lipids and obesity18 19; asthma20; prediabetic conditions21; health behaviours22; and intervention factors 23. Average findings for the programme period demonstrate that from 1998 to 2013, 47.1% of fifth grade students in WV were either overweight (BMI percentile 85–94.9th) or obese (BMI percentile >95th).…”