Maternal weight misperceptions and smoking are associated with overweight and obesity in low SES preschoolers

Abstract

Objectives: To identify modifiable risk factors for obesity among low socioeconomic status (LSES) children. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 238 4-7-year-old children and 224 mothers from LSES preschools. Anthropometric measurements were obtained; mothers were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, perceptions and beliefs. Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity (OWOB) among children was 29.8% based on the new World Health Organization (WHO) growth standard. Prevalence of OWOB (body mass index X25) among mothers was 51.8%. Mean age, sleeping hours, gender distribution and poverty level were similar between normal and OWOB children. Over 82% of mothers underestimated their child's weight status. Of the 62 OWOB children, 74.2% were perceived by their mothers as having 'normal weight' (NW) and 8% were perceived as 'thin'. Mothers perceived 67 out of 158 NW children (42.4%) as 'thin' (Po0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that 10% of the effect of maternal underestimation on child's OWOB may be mediated through child's daily sedentary hours (P ¼ 0.06). In a multivariable logistic-regression analysis controlling for maternal obesity, knowledge regarding breakfast's importance and child's daily sedentary hours, maternal underestimation of the child's weight status (odds ratio ¼ 7.33; 95% confidence interval (CI):2.41-22.37; Po0.0001) and parental smoking (odds ratio ¼ 3.25; 95% CI: 1.26-8.40; P ¼ 0.015) were the only significant factors associated with OWOB in LSES children. Conclusions: Maternal perception of child's weight status and parental smoking are associated with childhood OWOB among LSES children. These parameters can help identify children at risk for obesity. Maternal perception may be amenable to intervention.

Factors influencing obesity among preschoolers: multilevel approach

“…A study by Chen et al (2017) also reported that maternal belief about their child's risk for obesity is associated with higher child BMI. Existing literature states that parents who accurately perceive their child's weight are more likely to be motivated to change their health-related behaviours (Kaufman-Shriqui et al 2012;Mareno 2014). Furthermore, parents' perceptions of child weight influence their feeding style such as imposing restrictions that are positively related to child BMI (Nowicka et al 2014).…”

Maternal post-natal tobacco use and current parental tobacco use is associated with higher body mass index in children and adolescents: an international cross-sectional study

“…Our findings in children are consistent with those of Raum et al who found a greater BMI at the age of 6 in offspring of mothers who smoked both in the first year of life and currently, independent of maternal smoking before or during pregnancy [ 17 ]. Kaufman-Shriqui and colleagues [ 28 ] reported an association between current maternal smoking and overweight or obesity in a small sample of lower socioeconomic Israeli children aged 4 to 7 years. Florath and colleagues [ 23 ] demonstrated a significant association between current maternal smoking and the BMI of 8 year old German children, and a slightly larger association between paternal smoking and BMI in the same sample.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Preschoolers Exposed to Ongoing Missile Attacks in the Gaza War

“…This study was part of a larger health promotion intervention study examining low socioeconomic status (SES) preschoolers in Israel . Participants were recruited from September through November 2008 using the local municipality and Ministry of Education's list of 24 low SES preschools to which admission is dependent on family income.…”