Psychosocial Factors and Health Perceptions in Parents and Children Who Are Overweight or Obese |
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| Authors: | Margaret E O'Neil Patricia A Shewokis Kathleen K Falkenstein Cynthia W DeLago Sinclair A Smith Nicole A Vaughn Tracy E Costigan |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;2. College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;3. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;4. Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;5. Pathways to Health Professions Program, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;6. Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;7. American Institute for Research, Washington DC, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study examined the relationships among weight status (BMI), health perceptions, and psychosocial characteristics in children, parents, and parent–child dyads. A convenient sample of 114 parent–child dyads participated. All children were overweight or obese. Parents and children completed questionnaires by self‐report or interview. Questionnaires included the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form (PSI), the Parents' Stage of Change (SOC) Questionnaire, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Child's mean age was 10.34 years (s.d. = 1.87), mean BMI was 28.13 kg/m2 (s.d. = 5.46), and mean BMI z‐score was 2.17 (s.d. = 0.38). Parent mean age was 37.28 years (s.d. = 12.66) and mean BMI was 34.07 kg/m2 (s.d. = 8.18). Most parents (68.5%) reported that they and their children (70.7%) were African American and many (44.3%) reported that they and their children were Hispanic. Significant correlations included: child health perceptions and child BMI (r = 0.309, P < 0.001) and parent perception of weight and parent BMI (r = 0.691, P < 0.001). For parent–child dyads, one correlation approached significance (child health perceptions and parent stage of change (r = ?0.269, P < 0.01). Findings suggest that characteristics of parent–child dyads may be important considerations in the management of childhood obesity. |
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