Parental Behavior, Belief Systems, and Childhood Obesity

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Recommended: Are parents to blame for obesity in children

Childhood obesity does not discriminate, for it affects every ethnicity, age, gender, and economic status. Obesity is a body measurement size that is not within the defined limits of an individual’s height and weight. Unfortunately, “The increased weight places children at risk for chronic disease, diminished quality of life, and poor health outcomes” (Sealy, 1). Research indicates some of the risk factors that may correlate to early childhood obesity are the environment, adult behavior, and energy dense foods. Many studies have shown young children have no control of what foods they consume and depend on their parents or caregivers to provide them with nutritious meals. Learning more about what contributes to obesity is important, the authors McKee, Maher, Deen, and Blank stated, “Currently, national estimates indicate that 36% of the pediatric population is overweight or obese” (McKee, 249). This paper evaluates the studies on parental behavior and belief systems that may contribute to the risk of childhood obesity.

In the research conducted by Croker, Sweetman, and Cooke, they worked to answer whether parent’s knowledge, attitudes, practices, and concerns towards food portion had an impact on childhood obesity (Croker). The focus of the study was to determine if parents were knowledgeable about a healthy diet, weighing foods, and controlling and judging adequate portion sizes. It is hypothesized that access to large portions of energy-dense foods may contribute to obesity and weight gain. The study consisted of a sample group of mothers who agreed to provide their perspectives on their children’s eating habits. The mothers who volunteered in the research had children from 6 to 11 years of age. The parents’ level of education ...

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...their mindset to make a needed life style change.

Works Cited

Croker, H., Sweetman, C. & Cooke, L. (2009). Mothers' views on portion sizes for children. Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, 22(5), 437-443. Retrieved from Health Source: Academic Edition

McKee, M., Maher, S., Deen, D., & Blank, A. E. (2010). Counseling to prevent obesity among preschool children: acceptability of a pilot urban primary care intervention. Annals of Family Medicine, 8(3), 249-255. Retrieved from Health Source: Academic Edition

Sealy, Y. (2010). Parents' food choices: obesity among minority parents and children. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 27(1), 1-11. Retrieved from Health Source: Academic Edition

Young, L.R., & Nestle, M. (2002). The contribution of expanding portion sizes to the U.S. obesity epidemic. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 246–249.

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