Parent Perceptions of Child Weight Status in Mexican-Origin Immigrant Families: An Investigation of Acculturation, Stress, and Coping Factors

McLeod, Dorothy L.; Bates, Carolyn R.; Heard, Amy; Bohnert, Amy S. B.; Santiago, Catherine DeCarlo

doi:10.1007/s10903-017-0569-5

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In 10 studies, researchers examined the relationship between parents' life event stressors and children's weight and health behaviors . Stress from financial strain within a family was positively associated with children's weight status .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Different types of parental stress and childhood obesity: A systematic review of observational studies

2019

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Different types of parental stress may influence children's health behaviors and weight. The aim of this review was to systematically examine the relationships between parental stress and child obesity. We reviewed 27 studies published through December 2018 and classified parental stress as parents' general stress, parenting role stress, and life event stress. There were positive relationships of parents' general stress and parenting role stress with child obesity among families with younger children and in longitudinal studies. The relationship between life event stress and child obesity differed by measures. We found that parenting role stress may be associated with unhealthy parenting practices. Contextual factors such as children's and parents' sex, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family structure appeared to play a moderating role in the relationship between parents' stress and child obesity, which warrant cautious interpretation. Our recommendations for future research include clarifying further the types of parental stress that influence child obesity, evaluating long-term relationship between parental stress and child obesity, and identifying possible mediating factors to support the relationship between parents' stress and child obesity. Researchers may also consider developing stress management programs for parents to address child obesity. KEYWORDS child health behaviors, child obesity, parental stress Child obesity is a health threat despite much effort to decrease the rate of obesity in children. In the United States, 18.5% of children between 2 and 19 years were affected by obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ age-specific 95th percentile of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control [CDC] growth charts) in 2015 to 2016. 1 Children with obesity are more likely to be adults with obesity, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. 2 The epidemic of child obesity and subsequent health issues highlight the importance of early identification of obesity risk factors in children to promote risk reduction. Among the multifactorial influences on child obesity, parents can impact their child's health behaviors regarding diet (eg, fruit and vegetable consumption), physical activity, and sedentary behavior (eg, screen time). 3 Family-based interventions targeting parents to improve child obesity have reported mixed outcomes: some have been effective, while others have not. 4,5 Such interventions have focused primarily on improving parenting skills, parenting practices, or knowledge of healthy lifestyles. 3,6 The risks for developing child obesity are not limited to behavioral factors. Other risks could include parents' psychological factors, especially parental stress, and these factors may be important in the relationship between parents and their child's obesity risk factors.Stress is defined as physiological and psychological responses to stressors that are actual events or perceived threats to an individual. 7Stress is based on individuals' perc...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two research teams assessed cumulative stressors by quantifying specific life events and found that the cumulative stressors were positively associated with children's weight status . However, life event stress was not related to children's BMI when the stressor was immigration among Hispanic families or when stressors were nonspecific …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Different types of parental stress and childhood obesity: A systematic review of observational studies

2019

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“…A common theme among studies (8 out of 12) was parental underestimation of child weight and size (Bayles, 2010;Guendelman et al, 2010;Kersey et al, 2010;McLeod, Bates, Heard, Bohnert, & Santiago, 2018;Pasch et al, 2016;Rosas et al, 2010;Sadeghi et al, 2017;Su et al, 2014). Studies used terms such as parental underestimation, parental misperceptions, and parental "oblivobesity" (McLeod et al, 2018). The term "oblivobesity" (Katz, 2015) refers to a difficulty in identifying excess weight in their child due to a change in what is perceived as the norm for healthy weight, based on the national average weight and physical appearance of a child.…”

Section: Parental Misperception Of Child Body Weight and Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Mexican American Parental Knowledge and Perceptions of Childhood Obesity: An Integrative Review

Confiac

Turk

Zoucha

et al. 2019

Hisp Health Care Int

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Introduction: For the past two decades, childhood obesity has remained a national public health concern, particularly among Hispanic populations. Multiple cross-sectoral obesity prevention strategies have been implemented yet remain unsuccessful in generating sustainable lifestyle changes. Method: The purpose of this integrative review, using the Whittemore and Knafl method, was to examine the literature from 2009 to 2018 regarding Mexican American parental knowledge and perceptions of childhood obesity. The CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases were used to search the literature, and 13 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Three main themes emerged from the literature synthesis: (1) parental misperception of child body weight and size, (2) influence of cultural health and growth beliefs on parental perception of child weight, and (3) parental perspectives of causes and consequences of childhood obesity and how to address it. However, cultural variations in parental perceptions were found; therefore, attempts to generalize Mexican Americans’ cultural practices should be avoided. Conclusion: Studies using qualitative approaches are needed to gain deeper insights about Mexican American culture regarding children’s health as it relates to body weight, the roles of different family members in the Mexican American childrearing tradition, and the impact of their associated health beliefs.

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“…26 In addition, each distinct culture has its own standard for physical attractiveness; thus, a person's desired body weight and body image are reflective of the cultural preferences rather than an accurate measure of one's body weight. [27][28][29]…”

Section: Internalization Of Cultural Idealsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bodyweight Misperception by Chinese American Females Influenced by Cultural and Social Ideals: Implication for Home Health Care

Tock

Tung

Holston

et al. 2019

Home Health Care Management & Practice

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Bodyweight misperception results from the desire to achieve an ideal body emphasized by cultural mores and societal norms. It is sustained by the desire to be cultural compliant, especially for ethnic minority women such as Chinese American females. Through cultural beliefs, these women’s self-perceived weight status is distorted, which strengthens the impact of bodyweight misperception in their daily life as poor physical health, distressed psychosocial health, risky and unsafe health practices and behaviors, and diminished quality of life. Evidently, bodyweight misperception promotes maladaptive health behaviors. However, bodyweight misperception is barely captured in the current science about women’s health, and is minimally explored in research about Chinese American females’ desire and efforts to achieve the ideal body type. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review was to explore (1) body weight perception, (2) the factors associated with it, and (3) the negative health consequences triggered by it, in Chinese American females. Studies confirm that Chinese American females shape their body weight perception by internalized cultural ideals, acculturative stress, mass media, and social pressures. They overestimate their body weight more than underestimate it as evident by frequent weight-loss attempts. This internalized bodyweight misperception affects their physical and psychological health, with undesirable consequences on their quality of life. Home health care professionals interact closely with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds; remaining culturally sensitive is crucial in their practice. Knowledge from this literature review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate weight management strategies for the delivery of competent home health care to Chinese American females.

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Parent Perceptions of Child Weight Status in Mexican-Origin Immigrant Families: An Investigation of Acculturation, Stress, and Coping Factors

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Different types of parental stress and childhood obesity: A systematic review of observational studies

Different types of parental stress and childhood obesity: A systematic review of observational studies

Mexican American Parental Knowledge and Perceptions of Childhood Obesity: An Integrative Review

Bodyweight Misperception by Chinese American Females Influenced by Cultural and Social Ideals: Implication for Home Health Care

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