Weight status and diets of children aged 1–12 years attending a tertiary public paediatric outpatient clinic

Abstract

Aim: To assess the weight status and diets of a sample of paediatric outpatients, explore the relationship between the two and compare child weight status with parental perception of child weight and parents' self-reported weight. Methods: Parents/carers of 1-12-year-olds attending paediatric outpatients at Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, between October 2015 and May 2016 completed a demographic and validated age-based dietary questionnaire (toddlers (1-3 years), pre-schoolers (>3 to <5 years) or children (5-12 years)). Dietary risk scores (low/moderate/high/very high) were calculated for toddlers and pre-schoolers and diet quality and food behaviours scores for children. Body mass index (BMI) z-score and weight status were determined from measured height and weight. Results: Of 114 toddlers, 115 pre-schoolers and 250 children, 65% were of a healthy weight, 10% underweight and 25% overweight or obese. Most (~80%) toddlers and pre-schoolers had diets classified as 'moderate' risk, and the diets (35-90%) and behaviours (90%) of most 5-12-yearolds fell short of the guidelines. There was no significant relationship between overall diet risk or quality and BMI z-score. Healthier food behaviours scores were inversely correlated with BMI z-scores (ß −0.061, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.089, −0.033, P < 0.005). Parents' perception of child weight status was inaccurate. Parent's self-reported weight status was significantly associated with the BMI z-scores of toddlers (ß 0.301, 95% CI 0.189-1.174, P = 0.007) and pre-schoolers (ß 0.220, 95% CI 0.032-0.859, P = 0.035). Conclusions: Poor diets and high rates of overweight/obesity highlight the need for screening within the paediatric outpatient setting. Parents' own weight status, and their inaccurate perception of their child's, should be considered future intervention targets for improving child and parent health.

Diet quality of children in the United States by body mass index and sociodemographic characteristics

“…Determining diet quality among child populations defined by weight status is crucial given the high prevalence of childhood obesity present in the United States. The relationship between diet quality and weight status in children has been studied by others, but results are inconclusive because both negative and positive associations have been reported . Several sociodemographic factors have been associated with diet quality in children, including socio‐economic status (positive association), age (negative association), sex (higher for girls), race/ethnicity (lower for black children, higher for Mexican American children), and geographic location (lower for rural) , but their interactions with weight status have not been extensively studied.…”

Knowledge and Beliefs on Osteoporosis among African Postmenopausal Women in a Kenyan Semi-Rural County of Kiambu

“…[30] Perceived barriers to exercise and calcium intake were found to be low in this study, as seen in previous research. [29,30] This is contrary to a study done in Egypt that found high perceived barriers to both exercise and calcium intake attributed mainly to their spouse discouraging them from exercising. [28] We noted that less than half the patients could correlate caffeine use, smoking, and alcohol consumption to the risk of osteoporosis.…”

“…[28] The participants in this study had moderate perceived benefits to calcium intake and exercises, which is in keeping with a study done in Turkey and Peru. [27,29] However, Akinpetide in the US found higher scores, possibly due to the majority of the participants having a tertiary level of education. [30] Perceived barriers to exercise and calcium intake were found to be low in this study, as seen in previous research.…”